Mykonos to Santorini Ferry Guide

Greece › Greek Ferries › Mykonos to Santorini
Updated: March 14, 2026 • By Santorini Dave

See Also

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

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

Mykonos to Santorini Ferries – My Advice

• 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 usually 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 usually 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 usually several departures per day.
• Fast Boats, Not Big Boats: The trip usually 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 usually around €100 to €110, while Business or VIP seating is often €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 Realities: Direct Feedback from My Readers

I get lots of emails and comments every year from travelers who have taken ferries between the Greek islands. These are the most common themes I hear from readers after doing the Mykonos-to-Santorini route: what they loved, what caught them off guard, and what they wish they had known before booking.

The Pros: Why People Like This Route

• It is a relatively easy travel day: Compared with longer ferry routes from Athens, this is a short hop. Most sailings take about 2 to 3 hours, so you can change islands without losing an entire day.
• There is usually good schedule flexibility in summer: During peak season, multiple daily departures make it easier to choose a sailing that works with hotel checkout times or onward plans.
• The larger high-speed ferries are better than many people expect: Readers are often pleasantly surprised by the more spacious and modern feel of the bigger catamarans, especially when compared with the smallest high-speed boats.

The Cons: The Honest Truth

• Mykonos New Port is not a pleasant place to wait: Tourlos is often windy, crowded, and short on comfortable seating or shelter. If your boat is running late, you may find yourself standing in the sun or wind with your luggage.
• This can be a rough crossing: When the Meltemi winds are blowing, the sea between Mykonos and Santorini can get very choppy. Readers who are prone to motion sickness often find this route much tougher than expected.
• Athinios Port feels chaotic on arrival: Santorini’s ferry port is cramped and busy, with buses, taxis, vans, and arriving passengers all funneled into the same small area. It usually works, but it can feel stressful if you arrive without a transfer plan.
• Delays are common enough to matter: Because these ferries are often coming from other islands before reaching Mykonos, delays do happen. I would not plan a tight connection after arrival in Santorini.

Regrets: What People Wish They Had Known

• Booking the smallest high-speed ferry in windy weather: This is one of the most common regrets I hear. The smaller catamarans can feel dramatically rougher than the larger vessels. If you are worried about seasickness, pay attention to the type of boat before booking.
• Not arranging transport from Athinios in advance: Readers who arrive in Santorini without a hotel shuttle, private transfer, or bus plan often regret it immediately. Athinios is not a place where you want to improvise with luggage in the heat.
• Getting to the Mykonos port much too early: Many first-time travelers show up two hours ahead of departure and then realize there is nowhere comfortable to wait. In most cases, about 45 minutes early is enough.
• Not booking the next ferry leg at the same time: This is one of the busiest island-hopping routes in Greece, and the most convenient sailings can sell out well in advance. Readers often wish they had locked in both directions or their next island connection earlier.

Happy Surprises: The Unexpected Wins

• The crews are impressively efficient: Even when the port looks chaotic, many readers are surprised by how quickly the ferries unload, reload, and get moving again.
• Business/Club class often feels worth the extra cost: Readers who pay for the upgrade usually appreciate the quieter cabin, more space, and more relaxed atmosphere on what can otherwise be a busy, bumpy trip.
• Luggage is easier than expected: First-timers often worry about a complicated baggage process, but in practice it is usually simple: large bags go in the racks near the entrance, and you carry only your essentials to your seat.
• It is still one of the easiest ways to island-hop: Despite the wind, crowds, and occasional delays, many readers come away feeling that ferry travel between Mykonos and Santorini is far easier and more efficient than they had feared.

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.