Mykonos to Santorini Ferry Guide

Greece › Greek Ferries › Mykonos to Santorini
Updated: March 14, 2026 • By Santorini Dave
Questions? dave@santorinidave.com

See Also

• Where to Stay in Santorini
• Santorini Ferry Port Guide
• Where to Stay in Mykonos
• Mykonos Ferry Port Guide

Helpful Links

• How I buy ferry tickets: Ferryhopper.com
• Pre-booked taxi service: Welcome Pickups

Boarding a Santorini-bound ferry at the Mykonos New Port (Tourlos).

Mykonos to Santorini Ferries – My Tips

• The Best Way to Travel Between the Islands: For most travelers, the ferry is the easiest and most practical way to get from Mykonos to Santorini. It is a direct route, fast by Greek island standards, and far simpler than flying via Athens.
• Book Early in Summer: This is one of the busiest ferry routes in Greece. In July and August, book as early as possible – especially for morning departures, weekends, and upgraded seats. I use Ferryhopper to buy tickets. Prices don’t surge like airfares, but the best sailings do sell out.
• Departure Port in Mykonos: All ferries leave from the New Port (Tourlos), not the Old Port in Mykonos Town. This is a very common mistake. If you are staying near Mykonos Town, the Sea Bus to the New Port is the easiest option. If you are coming from elsewhere on the island, ask your hotel about a shuttle or pre-book a transfer. I would not rely on finding a taxi at the last minute.
• Arrive Early and Have Your Ticket Ready: Get to the port at least 30 to 45 minutes before departure. Download your boarding pass QR code before leaving your hotel and save a screenshot to your phone. Do not count on cell service working smoothly at the port.
• Arrival Port in Santorini: You arrive at Athinios Port, Santorini’s main ferry port. It is busy, cramped, and often chaotic. Do not expect to easily grab a taxi on arrival. The public bus to Fira is dependable and waits for arriving ferries, but if you want a smooth arrival I strongly recommend pre-booking a transfer or arranging pickup through your hotel.
• Season and Frequency: Direct ferries on this route are mainly seasonal, with daily service from spring through October and the fullest schedules in summer. From June to September there are several departures per day.
• Fast Boats, Not Big Boats: The trip takes about 2 to 3 hours. Most sailings on this route are on high-speed ferries, not the large conventional Blue Star-style ships found on some other Greek routes. That makes the crossing fast, but not always comfortable.
• Expect High Fares: This is an expensive ferry route. Standard seats are around €100 to €110, while Business or VIP seating is €130 to €160. Upgraded seats are worth it if you want more space and a calmer cabin, though every passenger has an assigned seat on these high-speed ferries.
• Be Ready for a Rough Crossing: This can be a very bumpy route in summer, especially when the Meltemi winds are blowing. If you are prone to motion sickness, take medication before boarding, sit in the lower middle part of the vessel, and avoid assuming that “only 2 hours” means an easy ride.
• Do Not Book Tight Connections: If you are continuing on to a flight, sunset dinner, or non-refundable tour in Santorini, leave yourself plenty of buffer. Ferries can run late, especially in windy weather.

Mykonos to Santorini Ferry Feedback

I hear from thousands of travelers every year. This is the direct feedback on the Mykonos to Santorini ferry route.

The Positives

• Efficient travel: Most sailings take 2 to 3 hours. Despite the crowds, crews load and unload hundreds of passengers in minutes.
• Large vessels: High-speed catamarans are spacious and modern. Store large bags in the entrance racks and carry only essentials to your seat.
• Flexible scheduling: High season has many daily departures. Upgrading to Business or Club class is worth the small cost for a quieter cabin.

The Challenges

• Rough seas: Meltemi winds make this stretch of sea very choppy. To prevent seasickness, avoid small catamarans and book larger vessels like the Power Jet or World Champion Jet.
• Port chaos: Santorini’s Athinios port is cramped and stressful. Pre-book a private transfer or hotel shuttle. Do not rely on finding a taxi or bus upon arrival.
• Port discomfort: The Mykonos New Port is windy and lacks seating. Do not arrive two hours early. 45 minutes before departure is sufficient.
• Delays and availability: Ferries can run late. Never book a tight flight connection for the same day. Book tickets in advance as this route sells out quickly.

How do I buy tickets and use E-Tickets?

The process is now fully digital and very simple.

• Where to buy: I always use Ferryhopper.com. It connects to all the ferry databases, allows you to compare fast vs. slow boats easily, and handles the E-Ticket process seamlessly for you.
• The E-Ticket Process: After you book, you will receive a confirmation email. For most companies (like SeaJets), you complete a quick Online Check-in (usually available 48 hours before departure) to generate your actual Boarding Pass.
• Boarding: You simply download the Boarding Pass (which is a QR Code) to your phone. When you walk up to the ferry ramp, a crew member scans your phone screen. That is it. You do not need to print anything.
• Best seats: I recommend Business or VIP if available (nicer seats in a more relaxed setting).

Example Mykonos to Santorini Schedule

Mykonos to Santorini ferry schedules and prices on Ferryhopper.com.

Common Ferries from Mykonos to Santorini

The SeaJets are the fastest ferries from Mykonos to Santorini.

General seating (Standard Seat/Silver) on the Worldchampion Jet ferry from Mykonos to Santorini.

Business (club class) and VIP (platinum) seating has tables and more space. Also the best views are found in Business and VIP.

The SeaJets Superjet ferry from Mykonos to Santorini. This is a small catamaran and it can offer a very bumpy ride in choppy seas. Choose a different ferry if you’re prone to seasickness.

The SeaJets Seajet 2 from Mykonos to Santorini. This is a small catamaran and it can offer a very bumpy ride in choppy seas. Choose a different ferry if you’re prone to seasickness.

The SeaJets Power Jet ferry from Mykonos to Santorini. Larger ferry with good stable ride.

The SeaJets Naxos Jet ferry from Mykonos to Santorini. Larger ferry with good stable ride.

This is the Hellenic Seaways Highspeed 7 ferry but it’s almost identical to the Minoan Lines Santorini Palace (which I don’t have a photo of) that runs from Mykonos to Santorini. Larger ferry with good stable ride.