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

Greece › Fly or Ferry to Santorini
By Santorini Dave • dave@santorinidave.com
Updated: May 11, 2026

See Also

• Where to Stay in Athens
• Where to Stay in Santorini
• Athens to Santorini Ferry Tickets

Helpful Links

• How I buy ferry tickets: Ferryhopper.com
• 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 to Santorini or take the Athens to Santorini ferry?

Flying is faster and easier if you are already at Athens Airport. The ferry is more scenic, more comfortable, and better for luggage. But not all ferries are equal: the scenic Santorini arrival is only available on a Blue Star ferry. On enclosed high-speed ferries, you will not get the same caldera views.

My general advice: fly if you are already at the Athens Airport. Take the ferry if you are already in central Athens, want the scenic caldera arrival, or prefer a more relaxed travel day with easier luggage.

Flight or Ferry to Santorini: Quick Answer

• Fastest option: Fly. The flight takes 45 minutes, and the total door-to-door trip is about 3.5 to 4 hours.
• Most scenic option: Take a large conventional ferry like Blue Star. This is the only option that gives you the classic open-deck arrival into the caldera.
• Best if you get seasick: Fly. If you do take a ferry, choose Blue Star and avoid small high-speed catamarans.
• Best if you are already at Athens Airport: Fly. Do not leave the airport unless there is a strong reason.
• Best if you are already staying in central Athens: The ferry becomes much more appealing because Piraeus is faster to reach than the airport.
• Cheapest option: Flights are now often cheaper than the ferry.

Option 1: Flying from Athens to Santorini

Flying is the most efficient way to get from Athens to Santorini. It turns what can be a full ferry day into a quick island hop.

• Flight time: 45 minutes in the air.
• Total travel time: 3.5 to 4 hours door to door, once you include airport transfer, check-in, security, boarding, baggage, and the transfer from Santorini Airport to your hotel.
• Airlines: Aegean/Olympic and Sky Express are the main year-round carriers. Volotea and Ryanair also fly the route seasonally.
• Cost: €40 to €150+ one-way, but prices vary widely by season, baggage, seat selection, and how early you book.

Pros of Flying

• It is fast: Even with airport time, flying is the quickest way to reach Santorini.
• It is best for airport connections: If you land at Athens Airport and want to continue directly to Santorini, flying is much easier than transferring across Athens to Piraeus Port.
• No seasickness: This is the obvious choice if you get motion sickness or are nervous about rough seas.
• Less affected by Meltemi winds: Flights can still be delayed, but they are generally less vulnerable to summer wind disruptions than small high-speed ferries.

Cons of Flying

• Baggage rules matter: Cheap fares can become less cheap once you add checked bags, seat selection, and carry-on restrictions.
• Airport time adds up: A 45-minute flight is not a 45-minute travel day. You still need to reach Athens Airport, arrive early, clear security, board, land, collect bags, and transfer to your hotel.
• You miss the sea arrival: Flying into Santorini is practical, but it does not give you the scenic approach to the caldera.

Who should fly? Fly if you are prone to seasickness, short on time, traveling with small children, connecting from an international flight, or visiting Greece for a short trip. If you have just landed at Athens Airport, it almost always makes more sense to fly onward to Santorini than to travel to Piraeus for a ferry.

Option 2: Taking the Ferry from Athens to Santorini

Taking the ferry is the classic Greek island experience, but the type of ferry matters enormously. A large Blue Star ferry and a small high-speed catamaran are not just different speeds; they are completely different travel days.

High-Speed Ferries: SeaJets and Similar Boats

High-speed ferries are designed for speed. They are the best ferry option if you want to save time, but they are not the best choice for views, outdoor space, or seasick travelers.

• Time: 5 hours on the fastest Piraeus to Santorini sailings, depending on vessel and route.
• Cost: €110 for economy, more for VIP/Business.
• Experience: You sit indoors in assigned airline-style seats. Outdoor deck access is limited or unavailable while underway.
• View: Limited. On enclosed high-speed ferries, you do not get the full caldera-arrival experience.
• Seasickness risk: Higher than Blue Star, especially on smaller vessels during windy summer weather.

Best for: Travelers who want the fastest ferry, are not prone to seasickness, and understand that the high-speed ferry is more about transportation than romance.

Conventional Ferries: Blue Star and Similar Large Ships

Large conventional ferries are slower but more comfortable, more stable, and much better for the classic Santorini arrival.

• Time: 7.5 to 8+ hours on Blue Star sailings, though exact times vary by route and stops.
• Cost: €60 for economy, more for reserved seating and VIP/Business.
• Experience: You can walk around, sit inside or outside, use the cafes, and stand on the open decks.
• View: Excellent. This is the ferry experience people imagine: islands passing by, sea air, and the dramatic arrival below Santorini’s cliffs.
• Seasickness risk: Lower than on small high-speed ferries, though rough seas can still happen.

Best for: Budget travelers, families, travelers with luggage, anyone who gets mildly seasick but still wants the ferry, and anyone who wants the memorable arrival into Santorini by sea.

Head-to-Head Comparison

Feature	Flight	High-Speed Ferry	Blue Star / Conventional Ferry
Travel Time	45 minutes in the air	5 hours on the fastest sailings	7.5 to 8+ hours
Total Trip Time	3.5 to 4 hours	6.5 to 7+ hours	9 to 10+ hours
Best For	Speed, airport connections, seasick travelers	Fast ferry travel	Comfort, views, luggage, lower cost
Seasickness Risk	None	Medium to high in windy weather	Lower, especially on large vessels
Views	Brief aerial views	Limited; mostly indoors	Excellent from outdoor decks
Caldera Arrival	No	Limited	Yes, this is the best arrival experience
Luggage	Airline limits and fees apply	Much easier than flying	Much easier than flying
Typical Cost	€40 and up	€110 and up	€60 and up

How to Buy Ferry Tickets

The easiest way to buy Athens to Santorini ferry tickets is to compare all ferries in one search. I use Ferryhopper because it shows Blue Star, SeaJets, departure times, prices, seat types, vessel details, and e-ticket options together.

• Search Piraeus to Santorini: Most Athens to Santorini ferries depart from Piraeus. Only choose Rafina if you specifically want that port and see a ferry that works for your date.
• Compare vessel type, not just travel time: A 5-hour high-speed ferry and an 8-hour Blue Star ferry are very different experiences. SeaJets is faster; Blue Star is more stable, spacious, and scenic.
• Choose the right seat: On Blue Star, I recommend a reserved Numbered Airseat instead of the cheapest deck ticket. On SeaJets, Business or VIP can be worth it for the extra space and calmer atmosphere.
• Book early for summer: For June through September, book as soon as your dates are firm. Morning departures, high-speed ferries, cabins, business/VIP seats, and vehicle spaces sell out first.
• Use e-tickets: After booking, complete online check-in when it opens, then save the QR code offline as a screenshot, PDF, or phone-wallet pass. Bring your passport or ID for boarding.

Logistics: Airport vs Ferry Port

Getting to Athens Airport

Athens Airport is east of the city. From Syntagma Square, Metro Line 3 takes about 40 minutes to the airport. By taxi or private transfer, the ride is 35 to 50 minutes, depending on traffic. You should arrive at the airport with enough time for check-in, baggage, security, and boarding.

Getting to Piraeus Port

Piraeus is the main Athens ferry port and is 10 km southwest of central Athens. Metro Line 3 connects Syntagma to Piraeus in 20 to 25 minutes, and the same line connects Athens Airport to Piraeus in 55 to 60 minutes. From Monastiraki, you can take either Metro Line 1 or Line 3 to Piraeus. From central Athens, a taxi takes 25 to 40 minutes, depending on traffic.

Arriving in Santorini

Santorini Airport is close to Kamari, Fira, and the center of the island, and it is an easy arrival. It is also the easiest place to pick up a rental car.

Santorini’s ferry port, Athinios Port, is below the cliffs on the west side of the island. It is dramatic but congested. Buses, taxis, rental-car shuttles, and pre-booked transfers all crowd the same small area when ferries arrive. If you take the ferry, I strongly recommend arranging your Santorini transfer in advance.

Luggage: Flight vs Ferry

• Flights: Pay close attention to baggage rules. Cheap fares may include only a small personal item or limited carry-on allowance. Checked bags and larger cabin bags can add significantly to the total cost.
• Ferries: Luggage is much easier. You carry your own bags onto the ferry and leave large suitcases in racks on the car deck. There is no airline-style weigh-in for normal passenger luggage. Keep valuables, passports, medications, electronics, and anything fragile with you.

The Meltemi Wind Factor

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

• Flights: The least affected option, though delays can still happen.
• Blue Star ferry: Large conventional ferries are much less affected than small high-speed ferries, though severe weather can disrupt any sailing.
• High-speed ferries: More vulnerable to delays, cancellations, and rough rides. Smaller catamarans can be very uncomfortable in windy conditions.

My Final Verdict

• Fly if: You are connecting from an international flight, visiting Santorini for only a short stay, prone to seasickness, traveling with very young kids, or find a good fare with baggage included.
• Take the Blue Star ferry if: You are already staying in Athens, have time to spare, want to save money, have more luggage, or want the classic arrival into Santorini’s caldera from an open deck.
• Take a high-speed ferry if: You want to avoid the airport, are already near Piraeus, and care more about saving time than having outdoor space, views, or the smoothest ride.

For most first-time visitors, my rule is simple: fly if you are already at Athens Airport; take Blue Star if you are already in Athens and want the most memorable journey.