Athens to Santorini: Should You Fly or Take the Ferry?

Greece › Fly or Ferry to Santorini
By Santorini Dave • dave@santorinidave.com
Updated: July 30, 2026

See Also

• Where to Stay in Athens
• Where to Stay in Santorini
• Athens to Santorini Ferries

Helpful Links

• How I buy ferry tickets: Ferryhopper
• Pre-booked taxi service in Athens: Welcome Pickups
• Pre-booked taxi service in Santorini: Welcome Pickups

This is one of the most common questions I get from first-time visitors to Greece: should you fly from Athens or take the Athens to Santorini ferry?

My advice is simple: fly if you are already at Athens Airport or short on time. Take a large conventional ferry such as Blue Star if you are already staying in central Athens and want the journey to be part of the trip.

For most travelers, the real choice is flying versus Blue Star. I rarely recommend the high-speed ferry over both alternatives. It is quicker than Blue Star, but not as quick or easy as flying, and passengers spend most of the journey indoors.

Flight or Ferry to Santorini: Quick Answer

• Fastest: Fly. The flight takes about 45 minutes and the full trip takes roughly 3.5 to 4 hours.
• Most scenic: Take a large conventional ferry with open decks. Blue Star is the main example on this route.
• Best from Athens Airport: Fly. Do not travel across Athens to Piraeus unless there is a compelling reason.
• Best from central Athens: Blue Star is appealing if its schedule works and you have a full travel day.
• Best for seasickness: Fly. Blue Star is the next-best option.
• Best with lots of luggage: Ferry, though you must carry and manage your own bags through the ports.
• Cheapest: Blue Star economy is often cheapest. A basic flight can cost less than a high-speed ferry, but baggage fees matter.

When Flying Is Better

Flying is the best choice for most travelers who value speed, are prone to seasickness, or are continuing directly from an international arrival.

• Flight time: About 45 minutes.
• Total travel time: Roughly 3.5 to 4 hours, including airport transfers, check-in, security, boarding, baggage collection, and the transfer to your Santorini hotel.
• Airlines: Aegean/Olympic and Sky Express operate the main year-round services. Other airlines add seasonal flights.
• Price: Basic one-way fares can start around €40 to €50 but rise quickly once the cheapest tickets are sold out. Checked bags, larger cabin bags, and seat selection can add substantially to the total.

Fly if:

• You have just arrived at Athens Airport.
• You have only two or three nights in Santorini.
• You are prone to seasickness.
• You are traveling in July or August and want to reduce the risk of a rough crossing.
• You find a good fare that includes the baggage you need.

A 45-minute flight is not a 45-minute travel day, but it is still much faster than either ferry option. The main disadvantages are airline baggage limits, airport formalities, and missing the arrival beneath Santorini’s cliffs.

If your international flight and Santorini flight are on separate tickets, leave a generous connection. You might need to enter Greece and the Schengen Area, collect checked luggage, check in again, clear security, and walk to another gate. I would not risk a tight self-connection.

Flying with Children

Flying is best when the goal is to reach Santorini quickly. Blue Star can be easier for families who prefer space to walk around, eat, and move between indoor and outdoor areas. A small high-speed ferry in rough weather is my least-favorite option with young children.

When the Blue Star Ferry Is Better

Take Blue Star if you are already staying in Athens, have a full day available, want easier luggage rules, and like the idea of arriving in Santorini by sea.

Large conventional ferries are slower than flying or taking a high-speed ferry, but they are more spacious, more stable, and much more enjoyable. You can walk around, sit indoors or outside, visit the cafes, and watch the islands pass from the open decks.

• Travel time: About 6 to 8+ hours, depending on the vessel, route, and intermediate stops.
• Total trip time: Allow roughly 8 to 10 hours from your Athens hotel to your Santorini hotel.
• Price: Economy fares start around €60, with higher prices for reserved seating, business class, cabins, and vehicles.
• Seasickness: Large conventional ferries handle rough seas better than small high-speed catamarans, though no ferry is completely immune to bad weather.
• Views: Excellent from the outdoor decks, including the approach beneath Santorini’s cliffs.

Take Blue Star if:

• You are already in central Athens.
• You want the most memorable journey.
• You have several large bags.
• You are traveling with children who benefit from being able to move around.
• You want a cheaper fare than most high-speed ferries.
• You get mildly seasick but still want to travel by ferry.

Choose a large conventional ferry with open-deck access rather than assuming every ferry provides the same experience. Blue Star is the main example, but the important distinction is the vessel type. Most high-speed ferries keep passengers indoors for nearly the entire trip.

Why I Rarely Recommend the High-Speed Ferry

The high-speed ferry sits awkwardly between flying and Blue Star. It is faster than a conventional ferry but slower than flying once the full trip is considered. It is also more expensive than Blue Star, less spacious, less scenic, and more vulnerable to uncomfortable movement in strong winds.

• Travel time: Around 5 hours on the fastest sailings.
• Total trip time: Roughly 6.5 to 7+ hours from your Athens hotel to your Santorini hotel.
• Price: Around €110 for economy, with higher fares for Business or VIP.
• Experience: Assigned airline-style seating indoors, with limited or no outdoor access while underway.
• Seasickness: A greater risk than on Blue Star, especially on smaller vessels during windy weather.

I would choose a high-speed ferry only when its exact schedule is substantially more convenient than both flying and taking Blue Star.

Flight and Ferry Costs

Do not compare only the advertised base price. A basic flight can cost less than a high-speed ferry, but checked baggage, cabin-bag fees, and seat selection can reverse the comparison. Blue Star economy is often the cheapest option, while reserved seating costs more but makes a long journey much more comfortable.

Also include transfers in your calculation. From central Athens, you need transportation to either Athens Airport or Piraeus. In Santorini, you need a transfer from either the airport or Athinios ferry port to your hotel.

Athens Departure Logistics

Getting to Athens Airport

Athens Airport is east of the city. Metro Line 3 from Syntagma takes about 40 minutes. A taxi or private transfer takes roughly 35 to 50 minutes, depending on traffic.

Allow enough time for the trip to the airport, check-in, baggage drop, security, and boarding. For a domestic flight with checked luggage, I would arrive about 90 minutes before departure in normal conditions and earlier during the busiest summer periods.

Getting to Piraeus Port

Piraeus is southwest of central Athens and is much closer than the airport for many Athens hotels. Metro Line 3 runs directly from Syntagma and Monastiraki to Piraeus. Line 1 also runs from Monastiraki.

Do not treat the metro journey time as your total hotel-to-ferry time. Piraeus is a large port, ferry gates are spread out, and the walk from the station to your vessel can take time. Arrive at least one hour before departure, and closer to 90 minutes early during summer if you have children, luggage, or are unfamiliar with the port.

A taxi from central Athens takes roughly 25 to 45 minutes, depending on traffic and your departure gate.

Arriving in Santorini

Santorini Airport

Santorini Airport is close to Kamari and is convenient for Fira, the east coast, and much of the island. It is also the easiest arrival point for picking up a rental car. The airport is small, but baggage claim and the taxi area become crowded when several flights arrive close together. Pre-booking a transfer is helpful in summer.

Athinios Ferry Port

Santorini’s Athinios Port sits below the cliffs on the west side of the island. The approach is dramatic, but the arrival itself is hectic. Buses, taxis, rental-car shuttles, private transfers, trucks, and departing passengers all use the same small port area. Athinios is not particularly convenient for any resort, despite its central location on the map. I strongly recommend arranging your hotel transfer before arrival. Be ready to move quickly when the ferry docks. Boarding and disembarking through the vehicle deck can feel rushed, especially when passengers are collecting luggage from the storage racks.

Luggage

• Flights: Check the exact baggage allowance before booking. The cheapest fare might include only a small personal item. Adding checked bags and larger cabin bags can make a cheap flight expensive.
• Ferries: Normal passenger luggage is not weighed. You carry your bags aboard and leave large suitcases in the designated racks near the vehicle deck. Keep passports, money, medication, electronics, and valuables with you.

Ferries are easier for travelers with several large bags, but you still need to carry everything through the ports and get it on and off the vessel yourself.

Summer Winds and Seasickness

The Meltemi is a strong northern wind that affects the Aegean, especially in July and August.

Flights can be delayed, but they are less affected than ferries. Blue Star and other large conventional ships provide the most stable ferry ride. Small high-speed catamarans are more vulnerable to rough conditions, delays, and uncomfortable movement.

Anyone seriously concerned about seasickness should fly. If flying is not practical, choose the largest conventional ferry available, take motion-sickness medication before departure if appropriate for you, and avoid a small high-speed vessel on a windy day.

How to Buy Ferry Tickets

I use Ferryhopper because it shows ferry companies, departure times, prices, vessel types, seat classes, and e-ticket options in one search.

• Search Piraeus to Santorini: Most ferries on this route depart from Piraeus. Choose Rafina only if a specific sailing and location make it clearly more convenient.
• Check the vessel: Do not book based only on departure time. A small high-speed ferry and a large conventional ship provide completely different journeys.
• Reserve a seat: On Blue Star, I recommend a Numbered Airseat rather than the cheapest deck ticket. On a high-speed ferry, Business or VIP can be worth the extra cost for more space and a calmer cabin.
• Book early: For June through September, book once your dates are firm. Popular departures, cabins, upgraded seats, and vehicle spaces sell out first.
• Save the ticket offline: Complete online check-in when it opens and save the QR code as a screenshot, PDF, or phone-wallet pass. Bring the passport or ID used for the reservation.

My Final Recommendation

Fly if you are already at Athens Airport, have limited time, or are prone to seasickness. Take Blue Star if you are already staying in Athens, have a full day available, and want the journey to be part of the experience.

I would choose a high-speed ferry only when its schedule works substantially better than both alternatives. For most first-time visitors, flying is the most efficient choice and Blue Star is the most enjoyable.