Greece › Greek Ferries › Santorini to Mykonos
Updated: July 25, 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
The ferry is the easiest way to travel from Santorini to Mykonos. Direct seasonal ferries run from spring through autumn, with the widest choice from June through September. Crossings take about 2 to 3½ hours, and standard passenger tickets start around €90.
Ferries leave from Athinios Port, below Santorini’s caldera cliffs, and arrive at Mykonos New Port in Tourlos. The ferry itself is straightforward. Getting down to Athinios efficiently and on time is the part that requires planning.
Helpful Links
- Compare ferry schedules and buy tickets: Ferryhopper
- Pre-booked transfers in Mykonos: Welcome Pickups
- Pre-booked transfers in Santorini: Welcome Pickups
Boarding a Mykonos-bound ferry at Athinios Port. SeaJets operates many of the fastest departures, while Golden Star Ferries also serves the route.
Disembarking from a SeaJets ferry at Mykonos New Port in Tourlos.
Santorini to Mykonos Ferries: My Advice
- Best booking strategy: Search your exact date, compare the total journey time and vessel size, and book once your itinerary is fixed.
- Travel time: Ferries take about 2 to 3½ hours. Some sail nonstop, while others make intermediate stops without requiring passengers to change boats.
- Ticket prices: Standard fares start around €90. Business and VIP seats cost more.
- Best ferry: Choose the largest vessel that departs at a convenient time. Small catamarans feel more abrupt in choppy water.
- Departure port: Ferries leave from Athinios, Santorini’s main ferry port. This is not the Old Port below Fira.
- Getting to Athinios: Arrange a transfer before travel day unless you are taking the public bus from Fira. Do not rely on finding a last-minute taxi.
- Arrival port: Ferries arrive at Mykonos New Port in Tourlos, about 2 km north of Mykonos Town.
- After arrival: Take the SeaBus if staying in Mykonos Town. Arrange a hotel or private transfer if staying at a beach.
- How early to arrive: Plan to be at Athinios 45 to 60 minutes before departure as a foot passenger. Arrive earlier with a vehicle.
- Seasickness: Choose a larger ferry, sit low and near the middle, and take motion-sickness medication before boarding if you normally use it.
Current Santorini to Mykonos Ferry Information
- Operating season: March through November, with the most frequent service from June through September.
- Peak frequency: Up to four or five daily crossings.
- Travel time: About 2 to 3½ hours.
- Ticket prices: From roughly €90 for standard seating.
- Main ferry companies: SeaJets and Golden Star Ferries.
- Departure port: Athinios Ferry Port in Santorini.
- Arrival port: Mykonos New Port in Tourlos.
- Vehicles: Many ferries carry cars, though garage capacity varies and sells out early.
Schedules, vessels, fares, and the number of daily departures change throughout the season. Search your exact date before planning flights, hotel transfers, or other reservations around a particular sailing.
Santorini to Mykonos Ferry Schedule
Direct ferries operate from spring through autumn. Service is most frequent from June through September, with several departures from late morning through the afternoon. March, April, October, and November have fewer sailings. There is no dependable direct winter ferry between Santorini and Mykonos. Some sail nonstop, while others stop at Ios, Naxos, Paros, or another Cycladic island along the way.
Search your exact date and compare:
- Total journey time.
- Number of intermediate stops.
- Vessel size.
- Seat classes.
- Scheduled arrival time.
How Long Is the Ferry from Santorini to Mykonos?
The fastest crossings take about 2 hours. Other ferries take up to 3½ hours, depending on the vessel and intermediate stops. Do not assume that the smallest ferry provides the fastest journey. Large high-speed vessels can be both faster and more comfortable than small catamarans.
How Much Are Santorini to Mykonos Ferry Tickets?
Santorini to Mykonos ferry schedules on Ferryhopper.com.
Standard passenger tickets start around €90. The exact fare depends on the operator, vessel, date, and seat class.
- Standard or economy seating: Starts around €90 to €110 and is adequate for most travelers.
- Business and VIP seating: More space, fewer passengers, and a calmer cabin. Fares start around €150.
- Vehicle tickets: Priced separately and limited by the ferry’s garage capacity.
I upgrade to Business when the price difference is modest. Economy is comfortable enough, but the extra room is welcome on crowded summer sailings.
What Is the Best Ferry from Santorini to Mykonos?
The best ferry is the largest vessel with a convenient departure time and reasonable total journey time. SeaJets operates many of the fastest sailings. Golden Star Ferries also serves the route and can be an equally good choice when its schedule or vessel works better.
When comparing ferries, use this order:
- Departure time: Make sure you can reach Athinios without rushing.
- Arrival time: Consider hotel check-in, rental-car pickup, and transportation from Mykonos New Port.
- Vessel size: Choose a larger ferry when motion sickness or strong wind is a concern.
- Total journey time: Check for intermediate stops rather than looking only at departure time.
- Seat class: Economy works for most travelers; Business is useful when the upgrade is inexpensive.
The operator matters less than the schedule, vessel, and seat. In calm weather, almost any ferry is fine. During strong Meltemi winds, small catamarans feel bumpier and delays become more likely.
Ferryhopper shows vessel length and passenger capacity for most ferries. Size does not guarantee a smooth crossing, but a large vessel normally feels less abrupt than one of the smallest catamarans.
How to Book Santorini to Mykonos Ferry Tickets
I use Ferryhopper to compare schedules, journey times, vessels, prices, and seat classes.
For July and August, book as soon as your island itinerary is fixed, especially when:
- You need one particular departure.
- You are traveling with a family or large group.
- You want Business or VIP seating.
- You are taking a vehicle.
- Your hotel or flight schedule leaves little flexibility.
There is less urgency in May, June, September, and October, but advance booking still provides a better choice of departure times and seats. Do not wait until reaching Athinios port to book seats or download tickets. The port is busy, exposed, and not where you want to solve a ticket problem at the last minute.
Mobile Tickets and Online Check-In
Most online bookings for this route support mobile boarding. Follow the instructions in your confirmation because check-in procedures differ by operator.
For most companies, online check-in opens 48 hours and closes 2 hours before departure.
After checking in:
- Download the boarding pass or QR code.
- Save it to your phone or take a screenshot.
- Make sure it is available without mobile service.
- Bring the identification used for the reservation.
The original booking confirmation is not always the final boarding pass. Printing is unnecessary for most travelers, but read the operator-specific instructions rather than assuming every ticket follows the same procedure.
Getting to Santorini Athinios Port
All ferries depart from Athinios Port, Santorini’s main ferry terminal. This is different from the Old Port below Fira, which serves cruise tenders and some local boat tours. Athinios sits at the bottom of the caldera cliffs. The final road descends through a series of sharp bends and becomes congested when buses, taxis, rental cars, delivery trucks, and arriving ferry traffic converge. For most travelers, transportation to Athinios should be arranged before travel day.
From Fira
The public bus is the best budget option. The current fare from Fira to Athinios is €2.70, and departures are scheduled around major ferry sailings. The schedule for the port will be posted one day before. Reach the Fira bus station at least 20 minutes before the bus’s departure. Port buses become crowded, luggage space is limited, and the departure time may be well before the ferry’s scheduled sailing. A private transfer is easier with heavy luggage, young children, limited mobility, or a large group.
From Oia
A pre-booked transfer is strongly recommended. Oia is at the opposite end of Santorini from Athinios, and the drive can be slowed by traffic through Fira and along the port road. Do not base your plan on finding a last-minute taxi. Ask your hotel or driver what pickup time they recommend for your exact ferry and follow that advice. Taking public transportation requires traveling from Oia to Fira and changing to the port bus. This is inexpensive but stressful with luggage or a tight departure.
From Imerovigli or Firostefani
A transfer is the easiest option. Active travelers with light luggage can walk from Firostefani to the Fira bus station. The walk from Imerovigli is longer and involves more of the caldera path with loose gravel and uneven pavement. There are also buses from Imerovigli and Firostefani to Fira, where passengers change to the Athinios bus.
From Kamari or Perissa
Public transportation requires changing buses in Fira. This works when you have plenty of time and light luggage, but a direct hotel or private transfer is much simpler. Do not plan a tight connection between two public buses. Port departure times change with the ferry schedule, and the second bus can fill.
From Akrotiri
Akrotiri is geographically closer to Athinios than Oia or the northern caldera villages, but public transportation is still inconvenient for most ferry departures. A pre-arranged transfer is the simplest option and avoids traveling through Fira.
From Pyrgos or Megalochori
Both villages are relatively close to Athinios. A hotel-arranged transfer is straightforward and much faster than traveling through Fira by bus.
For maps, photos, and more detailed transportation advice, see my Santorini Ferry Port Guide.
How Early Should You Arrive at Athinios?
Plan to be at Athinios 45 to 60 minutes before departure as a foot passenger. This does not mean leaving your hotel 60 minutes before the ferry. Build in time for:
- Traffic on the main island roads.
- Congestion on the final road down to Athinios.
- Finding the correct ferry waiting area.
- Unloading luggage.
- Boarding delays or sudden announcements.
Leave especially early when traveling from Oia, Imerovigli, Firostefani, Kamari, or Perissa. Travelers taking a vehicle should arrive about 90 minutes before departure.
Returning a Rental Car at Athinios
Do not assume that choosing “Athinios Port” as the return location means leaving the car beside the ferry ramp. Some rental companies have a port desk. Others send a representative to meet customers in a designated parking area or ask them to return the car elsewhere.
Before travel day:
- Confirm the return location.
- Ask whether a representative will meet you.
- Confirm what happens if the ferry time changes.
- Allow some extra time for inspection, fuel, and paperwork.
- Check whether the company permits port returns outside office hours.
Do not attempt a rental-car return immediately before boarding. Athinios traffic and limited parking make last-minute handoffs stressful.
Boarding at Athinios
Athinios can feel chaotic when several ferries arrive or depart close together. Passengers for different islands wait in the same general area, and boarding announcements can come shortly before the ferry is ready. Check the vessel name as well as the destination. Do not follow a crowd onto a ferry without confirming that it is yours. Large suitcases are stored on racks near the entrance, on the vehicle deck. Passengers carry their own bags onto the ferry; there is no airline-style luggage check-in.
Keep these items with you:
- Passport or identification.
- Phone, wallet, and boarding pass.
- Medication.
- Electronics and cameras.
- Anything needed during the crossing.
Do not leave passports, cash, or valuables in a stored suitcase.
Arriving at Mykonos New Port
Ferries arrive at Mykonos New Port in Tourlos, about 2 km north of Mykonos Town. The distance looks walkable on a map, but the connecting road is busy, exposed, and unpleasant with or without luggage. Take the SeaBus, public bus, hotel transfer, taxi, or pre-booked ride.
Staying in Mykonos Town
The SeaBus is the easiest inexpensive option. It connects the New Port with the Old Port area on the edge of Mykonos Town. The Old Port is convenient for hotels on the northern and waterfront sides of town. Hotels near Fabrika or deep inside the pedestrian lanes can still require a walk over uneven paving and steps. Travelers with heavy luggage should ask their hotel whether a porter or transfer can meet them at the closest vehicle-access point.
Staying in Ornos, Platis Gialos, Psarou, or Agios Ioannis
Arrange a hotel or private transfer from the New Port. Taking the SeaBus into Mykonos Town and then changing to another bus saves money but adds waiting, luggage handling, and crowding. A direct transfer is much easier after the ferry journey.
Staying in Elia, Super Paradise, or Another Distant Beach
Pre-book a direct transfer. These beaches are much farther from Tourlos than Mykonos Town, and public transportation requires at least one change. Do not rely on finding a taxi after disembarking during July or August.
Ferry Types and Seating
Most Santorini-to-Mykonos ferries are high-speed passenger ships or catamarans. Large conventional ferries are uncommon on this route. Vessel assignments change by season and date. The ferries pictured below are examples, not guaranteed departures.
Large High-Speed Ferries
A large high-speed ferry is my first choice. These ships combine a fast crossing with more passenger space and a less abrupt ride than the smallest catamarans.
The WorldChampion Jet is an example of a large high-speed ferry. It is one of my preferred vessel types when available, but assignments change by date.
The SeaJets Power Jet. A large vessel is a better choice than a small catamaran when motion sickness or strong winds are a concern.
The SeaJets Naxos Jet, another large vessel used on Cyclades routes.
Economy, Business, and VIP Seats
Economy is adequate for most travelers on a 2- to 3½-hour crossing. Business and VIP sections have more room and fewer passengers.
Standard seating aboard the WorldChampion Jet. Economy is comfortable enough for most travelers on this route.
Business and VIP seating provides more space and a calmer atmosphere. I upgrade when the price difference is reasonable.
Seat class has little effect on motion sickness. Where you sit matters more: choose a low seat near the middle of the vessel rather than a forward or upper-level position.
Small High-Speed Catamarans
Small catamarans can provide convenient schedules and fast journeys, but they feel more abrupt in rough seas. I would avoid the smallest vessels when traveling with children, when the Meltemi is strong, or when anyone in the group is prone to motion sickness.
The SeaJets SuperJet is an example of a small high-speed catamaran. When it appears alongside a much larger ferry, choose the larger vessel if rough seas are a concern.
The SeaJets SeaJet II. Small catamarans are convenient in calm weather but can be uncomfortable when strong summer winds are blowing.
Seasickness, Wind, and Ferry Delays
The Santorini-to-Mykonos route crosses exposed Cycladic water and can be rough, particularly when the Meltemi blows in July and August. Most sailings are uneventful, but travelers prone to motion sickness should have a plan.
- Choose a larger ferry when several vessels fit your schedule.
- Sit low and near the center of the ship.
- Avoid reading and prolonged phone use while underway.
- Look toward the horizon when a window view is available.
- Eat lightly before sailing and avoid alcohol.
- Take motion-sickness medication before departure if you normally use it.
Strong winds cause delays and occasional cancellations. A ferry making several island stops can accumulate delays throughout the day even when the weather at Athinios looks fine. Do not schedule a Mykonos flight, beach-club reservation, boat tour, expensive dinner, or other time-sensitive activity immediately after the expected arrival.
Santorini to Mykonos Ferry FAQ
Is there a direct ferry from Santorini to Mykonos?
Yes. Seasonal ferries take passengers from Santorini to Mykonos without requiring a change of boats. Some sail nonstop, while others make intermediate island stops.
Is the Ferry Scenic?
In theory, yes. In practice, not especially. All high-speed ferries are enclosed, and their windows are designed for transportation rather than sightseeing. None of the high-speed ferries have outdoor deck access while underway.
Should You Fly from Santorini to Mykonos?
For most travelers, no. The ferry is simpler. Direct flights are limited and inconsistent. Flying through Athens takes longer once airport transfers, security, waiting time, and baggage collection are included. A flight makes sense only when a direct service operates at a much better time or rough-sea travel presents a serious problem.
Can You Visit Mykonos on a Day Trip from Santorini?
Do not visit Mykonos on an independent ferry day trip from Santorini. Transportation to Athinios, ferry schedules, possible delays, and the journey from Mykonos New Port leave too little useful time on the island. Stay at least one night. Two nights is better and allows an evening in Mykonos Town, a beach day, and some protection against ferry delays.
Where do ferries depart in Santorini?
They depart from Athinios Port, Santorini’s main ferry terminal. This is different from the Old Port below Fira, which serves cruise passengers and many Santorini boat tours.
How early should I arrive at Athinios?
Plan to be at the port 45 to 60 minutes before departure as a foot passenger and about 90 minutes before departure with a vehicle.
Where do ferries arrive in Mykonos?
They arrive at Mykonos New Port in Tourlos, about 2 km north of Mykonos Town.
Can you walk from Mykonos New Port to Mykonos Town?
I do not recommend it with or without luggage. The road is busy, exposed, and unpleasant for pedestrians. Take the SeaBus, public bus, taxi, hotel transfer, or private transfer.
What is the best ferry for seasickness?
Choose the largest vessel available, sit low and near the middle, and avoid the smallest catamarans when strong winds are forecast.
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