Santorini-Transportation

Santorini's Airport (JTR) has nonstop options from at least a couple dozen major European cities. So, if you're skipping Athens, Santorini is a great jumping off point.

Otherwise, you will probably be arriving at the port either by ferry or cruise ship. From here, my recommendation depends on where you're staying.

If you're staying in Oia, the village is not car friendly at all. There is no direct bus, but you can take a series of 2 buses, one to Fira and then one to Oia. You'll need to put your luggage underneath the bus. It's not difficult to navigate and it's budget friendly. However, if you have multiple people and baggage, it's probably worth the convenience to just take one of the overpriced cabs. The island is narrow, so there are some good views on both sides of the ride.

If you're staying in the main town of Fira, consider grabbing a car rental from CarHub which is conveniently located right at the port. It's also listed in my maps.