How to Get to Santorini: Flights & Ferries

Greece › Santorini › Getting Here
Updated: January 19, 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

• 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.

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 usually 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).

Read More

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• Maps of Santorini
• Best Tours & Things to Do in Santorini