Greece › Santorini › Getting Here
Updated: June 14, 2026 • By Santorini Dave
See Also
- Best Hotels in Santorini
- Where to Stay in Santorini
- Santorini Ferry Port Guide
- Athens to Santorini – Fly or Ferry?
- Athens to Santorini – Ferry Options
Santorini Flights & Ferries – My Advice
- The earlier you can book Santorini hotels and flights the better. I generally try to book 5 or 6 months in advance. Large ferries (Blue Star) rarely sell out, but smaller catamarans (SeaJets, Hellenic) sometimes do. These should be booked 1 to 3 months in advance.
- Google Flights is the best site for finding cheap airfare. The calendar view is excellent for spotting the cheapest days to fly, and the search results are cleaner and more comprehensive than other booking engines.
- FerryHopper.com is the easiest and most reliable way to buy ferry tickets in Greece. They have the best user interface and are much easier to deal with than the actual ferry company websites.
How to Get to Santorini
How to Get to Santorini from Athens
The morning ferry from Athens to Santorini. Most ferries to Santorini (but not all) leave between 7am and 8am from the Piraeus ferry port. Taxis can pull up right to the ferry. The metro station is across the street. Flying to Santorini is faster but the ferry is more fun and unique. I also find ferry travel more relaxed and hassle-free than the stress of airport crowds and security checks.
- Step 1: Get to Athens. There are many cheap direct flights from major cities in western Europe.
- Step 2: Buy your ticket. Book ferry tickets online in advance. You can also buy them at a travel agent in Athens or at the port, but pre-booking is easier and smarter for high season.
- Step 3: Get to the port. Take the metro (20 to 30 minutes from center) or taxi (30 to 40 minutes) to the Piraeus ferry port. Most ferries leave in the morning (around 7am), so plan to arrive at the port 1 hour in advance.
- Step 4: The journey. The trip from Athens to Santorini takes about 5 hours on a high-speed ferry and 8 hours on a conventional ferry. The views as you enter the caldera are spectacular – it’s the best introduction to the island.
- More info: Athens to Santorini Ferries
How to Get to Santorini from London
- Step 1: Search Google Flights for direct flights from London to Santorini. Buy the cheapest option; there is little quality difference between airlines on this route (British Airways offers slightly better service than the budget carriers).
- Step 2: If direct flights are sold out or too expensive, search for flights connecting through Athens, Paris, Rome, Naples, or Venice.
- Step 3: Alternatively, fly to Athens, spend a few days there, then take the ferry to Santorini.
- Step 4: Upon arrival in Santorini, take a bus or taxi to your town. The island is small; Fira, Oia, and Imerovigli are all less than 40 minutes from the airport.
Gatwick Airport in London has the majority of cheap flights to Santorini.
How to Get to Santorini from Paris
- Step 1: Search Google Flights for direct flights from Paris to Santorini. Book the cheapest available flight as quality is comparable across airlines.
- Step 2: If no good direct options exist, look for connections via Athens, Rome, Naples, or Venice.
- Step 3: Consider flying to Athens first to see the Acropolis, then taking the ferry to Santorini for the scenic arrival.
- Step 4: From the Santorini airport, take a short bus or taxi ride to your hotel. Fira and Oia are easily accessible.
How to Get to Santorini from Italy
- Step 1: Search for direct flights to Santorini from Rome, Naples, Pisa, Milan, or Venice. Prices vary wildly, so check Google Flights for the best dates.
- Step 2: If direct flights aren’t working, search for flights connecting via Athens. Flights from Mykonos or Crete to Santorini are rare/seasonal.
- Step 3: A popular itinerary is to fly to Athens, explore the city, then ferry to Santorini.
- Step 4: Transport from the Santorini airport to Fira, Oia, or Imerovigli takes 20 to 40 minutes by taxi or bus.
How to Get to Santorini from Crete
- Step 1: Check flights first. There are usually no direct flights from Crete (Heraklion or Chania) to Santorini, though Sky Express sometimes operates this route in high summer. If not flying direct, you must fly via Athens (not recommended due to time).
- Step 2: Take the ferry. This is the standard way to travel between Crete and Santorini. Book tickets on FerryHopper.com.
- Step 3: Arrive at the Heraklion ferry port 45 minutes early. Download e-ticket in advance.
- Step 4: The high-speed ferry takes about 2 hours. Upon arrival at Santorini’s Athinios Port, take the bus to Fira (and switch there for Oia/Imerovigli) or a pre-arranged transfer to your hotel.
How to Get to Santorini from Rhodes
- Step 1: Flying is difficult. There are rarely direct flights from Rhodes to Santorini. You usually have to fly via Athens, which can take half a day.
- Step 2: Ferry is long but direct. Book a Blue Star ferry. This is usually the only vessel on this route. It is a long trip (often overnight), so booking a cabin is recommended.
- Step 3: Arrive at Rhodes Town ferry port 45 minutes in advance.
- Step 4: Arrange a transfer from the Santorini port to your hotel in advance, especially if arriving late at night.
How to Get to Santorini from Mykonos
- Step 1: Fly via Athens? Direct flights from Mykonos to Santorini are very rare (check Sky Express). Flying via Athens is possible but slower than the ferry.
- Step 2: Ferry is best. There are multiple daily high-speed ferries in summer (taking about 2 to 2.5 hours). Book on FerryHopper.com.
- Step 3: Check your departure port. All ferries leave from the New Port (Tourlos), a 10-minute bus/taxi from Mykonos Town.
- Step 4: Arrive 30 minutes early. The Mykonos port is chaotic in summer.
- Step 5: Upon arrival in Santorini, take a transfer or bus to Fira/Oia.
How to Get to Santorini from The US and Canada
- Step 1: Fly to Athens. Search for direct flights to Athens from major hubs like New York (JFK/EWR), Chicago, Boston, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Toronto, and Montreal. If you are not near a hub, connect through one of these cities or a major European capital (London, Frankfurt, Paris).
- Step 2: Connect to Santorini. From Athens, book a separate 45-minute flight to Santorini. There are no direct flights from North America to Santorini.
- Step 3: Alternative: The Ferry. If you have a long layover or want to see Athens, take the ferry to Santorini. It requires getting from the airport to the port (1 hour), but the boat ride is a classic Greek experience.
What’s the best way to get to Santorini?
Flying is the quickest and easiest way. You can fly to Santorini directly from Athens (45 minutes) or from major western European cities like London, Paris, Rome, and Amsterdam.
Key considerations for your choice:
- Direct Flights from Islands: There are very few direct flights between Santorini and other Greek islands. While Sky Express occasionally runs flights from Mykonos, Rhodes, or Crete, these are not guaranteed every season.
- Athens Connections: If you are already in central Athens, taking a ferry from Piraeus is a viable option. However, if you are arriving at Athens Airport (ATH), it is almost always better to just catch a connecting flight to Santorini rather than dragging luggage to the ferry port.
- The “Wow” Factor: Arriving by a Blue Star ferry is visually spectacular. The cliffs of the caldera loom over the ship as you approach – it is an unforgettable first impression.
- Blue Star Ferries: These are large, stable, and have open decks. You can stand outside and enjoy the view. They run 365 days a year.
- High-Speed Ferries (SeaJets/Hellenic): These are faster but you are trapped inside behind salt-sprayed windows. You won’t get the same view, and the ride can be very bumpy in windy weather.
- Seasickness: If you are prone to seasickness, avoid high-speed catamarans (SeaJets) and stick to the large Blue Star ferries or fly.
My Recommended Itinerary: A great compromise is to ferry to Santorini (to get the view and the experience) and fly back to Athens (to save time). Book a “multi-city” flight ticket: Home -> Athens, then Santorini -> Home.
How do I get from the Santorini airport to Fira, Oia, and the rest of the island?
- Private Transfer (Recommended) – The smoothest way to get to your hotel. Welcome Pickups is reliable and costs about the same as a standard taxi. The driver waits for you in arrivals with a sign. No stress about finding a cab or haggling.
- Taxi – Taxis are available outside the terminal, but in high season, the queue can be long. Expect to pay roughly €20-€25 to Fira/Kamari and €30-€40 to Oia. Taxi phone number: 22860-22555.
- Bus – The cheapest option (€1.80 – €2.00). Buses run from the airport to the main station in Fira. From Fira, you must switch buses to go to Oia, Imerovigli, Perissa, or Kamari. It’s cheap but time-consuming. Buses run frequently in summer but are limited in low season.
- Rental Car – If you plan to rent a car, pick it up at the airport to save on transfer costs. However, if you are arriving late at night, I recommend taking a taxi to your hotel and getting the car the next morning to avoid navigating dark, winding roads when tired.
- Hotel Pickup – Many luxury hotels offer shuttle services. Always check with your hotel before booking a transfer; some provide it for free.
How do I get to and from the ferry port in Santorini?
All ferries arrive at Athinios Port. It is located at the bottom of the caldera cliffs. The road up is steep and winding.
- Private Transfer (Best) – The port can be chaotic. Pre-booking a driver with Welcome Pickups ensures you have a ride waiting. They track the ferry delays, so they will be there when you arrive.
- Bus – There is always a bus waiting for arriving ferries, regardless of the time. The bus goes only to Fira. If you are staying elsewhere (Oia, Imerovigli), you must take the bus to Fira and change there. Cost is ~€2.30. It is chaotic getting on, but efficient.
- Taxi – Taxis wait at the port, but there are never enough for everyone. If you are not one of the first off the boat, you will wait a long time. Rates: ~€20 to Fira, ~€30+ to Oia.
- Hotel Transfer – Ask your hotel. Many provide port transfers (sometimes for a fee). This is often the easiest option.
- Rental Car – Do not pick up your rental car at the port. It is crowded, stressful, and difficult to drive out of with large trucks and buses. Pick up your car in Fira or have it delivered to your hotel.
- Cruise Ships – Cruise ships do not dock at the ferry port. They tender passengers to the Old Port (Skala) below Fira. To get up to town, you must take the cable car (lines can be long), walk up the 580 steps (strenuous), or ride a donkey (controversial; many travelers prefer to avoid this for animal welfare reasons).
Santorini Dave was started in 2011 when I posted a short guide to visiting Santorini with kids. Now, my site publishes regularly updated guides to 
Can I take a car seat for a baby onto a Greek ferry?
Yes, absolutely. No problem.
Hi. Do you have any tips for flying from London to Athens, staying for a week then to Santorini for a week then return to London? Thanks!
There are many flights between both London and Athens, and London and Santorini. I’d recommend flying into Athens and out of Santorini (or vice versa).
Hello,
We are looking to go to Greece the last week in October. Do flights run all year round? I’m trying to find flights from Athens to Santorini and nothing is coming up. We thought we would also go to Mykonos as well.
Yes, there are many daily flights from Athens to Santorini in October. Then ferry to Mykonos. From Mykonos, you can fly or ferry to Athens. That’s what I’d recommend.
Hi Dave, we are flying from Rome to Santorini and debating taking the 12am direct flight on vueling. It arrives around 3am. This seams like a good idea but the airline has terrible reviews and I wasn’t sure if the airport would’ve empty at that time. The other option is through Athens with a 4 hour layover, arriving around 7am. Seems like a waste of time but more reliable airline. Do you have any advice related to these two options? Thanks!
If it was me I would fly direct and just get there. I’ve flown Vueling several times and they’re fine. Of course, there are never any guarantees. Also, I would think that flying via Athens and thus having two flights, two airlines, two places it can go wrong instead of one, would double the chance of a canceled or late flight, regardless of the airline.
Hi Dave,
I am finding a hard time booking a flight in early July to Santorini from Toronto! What is the best way?
Thanks!
You have a lot of choice for cities to fly through. I’d recommend: London, Paris, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Rome, or Athens. From there you’ll take a short flight from one of the smaller European airlines.
Hi Dave,
My daughter and I are flying from NYC (via Zurich with 24-hour layover) to Santorini. We arrive in Santorini at 10am, and have a ferry to Naxos at 330pm. I bought ferry tickets on Blue Star and the website said I could either pick up the ferry tickets in Fira town or at the ferry office on the port. I also heard to leave an hour early to pick up tickets at the ferry office port. Should we go straight to the ferry/port area or hang out in Fira since we have so much time? Where would you pick up the tickets? And what transportation method would you use for this?
Thanks so much!
I recommend taking the bus from the airport to Fira. Then check the bus schedule for the ferry port before leaving the bus station. The bus for the port is based on the ferry schedule and there should be one leaving for the port about an hour before the Blue Star leaves. Then go to Pelican Travel on the main street to collect your tickets. You should have this all done by noon and then will have 2.5 hours to wander around Fira and get some lunch.
I would like to get from Santorini to southern Turkey Kusadasi or thereabouts cheaply on September 28th can you offer any advice, please.
The cheapest way is to ferry to Kos, then ferry to Bodrum, then bus to Kusadasi. But the Santorini to Kos ferry does not run every day and even with a perfect set of connections you are looking at two days of travel from Santorini to Kusadasi. To do it in one day you would need to fly from Santorini to Athens, then fly to Istanbul, then fly to Kusadasi (though there might be direct flights from Athens to Kusadasi or a nearby airport – like Izmir).
Hi Dave, thank for such an awesome and informative blog. Anyway, I will be travelling with my wife to Santorini in the end of June, but the flight will arrive in Santorini around 23:00. Is there any public transportation to Perissa at those time? Or should I use a taxi or shuttle?
Even through the day there is no direct bus from the airport to Perissa. You’d need to bus to Fira first, then another bus to Perissa. Can’t say for sure but that probably won’t workout for an 11pm arrival – probably too late. So yes, I think taxi is your best option.
Hi Dave. Love this blog….I’ve spent hours here planning my honeymoon!! If traveling from the US via Heathrow to Athens, how much time is needed before you board a flight to Santorini? We will have carry on luggage if that matters. Thank you!!
Of course, there are no guarantees, but you’ll need at least an hour. If it were me I’d be uncomfortable booking with anything less than 90 minutes between flights (and even that could be easily missed with a late arriving flight).
Hi Dave, love this super helpful blog, was wondering if you had any advice on this, which I haven’t heard anything about elsewhere;
When arriving at the airport, if booking a transfer, how soon after landing from Athens can we expect to be out of the airport after going through the process of baggage claim potential passport control? Partially wondering about this also because if I were to book a table for a restaurant I would need to know an estimate of when we would actually have arrived in Imerovigli (where our hotel is and where I suppose we’ll have our first dinner).
Sissel
Flying from Athens means you won’t have any passport control. Just need to get your bags. Airport is small. You could be out to the taxi in 10 or 15 minutes from landing. Then to Fira in 15 minutes and to Oia in 30 (though sometimes you will have to wait for a taxi). Your plane could be late too. I’d leave a good 90 minutes after your scheduled landing time to make a reservation.
Hello!
Love your tips! I am doing a solo trip from end of August to September so about 4 weeks in total. Starting in Athens, heading to Paros (spending just over a week). I have to end my trip in Crete in order to fly to Rome but am curious, what’s the best order to go in after Paros if Crete is my final destination and I want to hit Santorini and Mykonos?
Also is it possible to wait to book ferry trips until I’m in Paros or should I try and book ahead of time?
Thank you!
Elizabeth
After Paros, go to Mykonos then Santorini, then Crete. You should be fine to book Paros onwards ferries after arrival as long as you book a few days in advance. The Mykonos to Santorini is the most likely to sell out. Then the Santorini to Crete. (But even those are unlikely to sell out in September.)
Hi, I am thinking about going to Santorini end of April next year, struggling to find flights, do you know what airlines fly at that time of year from the U.K? Also is it generally sunny last week in April or is rain likely?
Lorna
British Airways and EasyJet have the most direct flights from London to Santorini (including April). BA typically flies from Heathrow. EasyJet from Gatwick. They might not have their full schedule out this far in advance so keep checking – should be out by September at the latest.
Hello, Dave! My companion and I are traveling to Greece this summer. We will be arriving in Athens on 1 Aug, then flying to Santorini on 5 Aug. My question is about flights. I went through Kayak to book a flight from Athens to Santorini. After the add ons to the flight, it came out to be around $296.00 USD! That seemed a bit high to me. I did purchase travel insurance, so I am hoping to find some alternate travel arrangements. Do you have any suggestions, or is this flight’s price normal? Thank you. Maria
Flights are the most expensive in August so yes, that sounds about right. Ferry rates (for travel in August) will be much cheaper than flying.
Hi Santorini Dave,
We are hoping to go from Rhodes to Santorini on an overnight ferry on thurs September 21st, but we saw that the ferry only runs a few times a week and I’m not sure on what days and times since the ferry schedules have not been released yet. We are also open to going by high speed ferry we just don’t want to go on a slow one unless its overnight since I read that it can take 14hrs. We are nervous to book nonrefundable hotels on either side in Rhodes and Santorini without knowing we can get there when we were hoping to. Any advice? Do you think there are usually ferries on thursdays that time of year? Do you know how far in advance the ferry schedules are posted?
Thank you so much for your guidance and your great site!
Asia Thorpe
There will likely be an overnight ferry in September from Rhodes to Ferry. 50/50 at best whether it will fall on the day you need. There are many flights from Rhodes to Athens and Athens to Santorini so you could wait to see what the ferry schedule looks like then book flights if it doesn’t work out. (I’d probably just book the flights now so you get a quick efficient connection in Athens thus making the journey fast and painless.)
Hello, we are flying into Athens on the morning on June 26 via Air Canada. I plan to purchase plane tickets to get to Santorini. How much time would you say is needed between getting off the plane in Athens to then catch your flight to Santorini. Also, what airlines do you recommend using to get to Santorini (Aegean Airlines ?) I am hoping to pay about $120.00 or so round trip to get back and forth – would you agree this is a reasonable rate I should be able to find. Thank You
Michele Gottorff
I would be comfortable with a stopover of longer than 2.5 hours in Athens. There are no guarantees, of course, but anything over that and you should be fine. If you book early enough then you should be able to find a Santorini flight for less than $120.