Overall7.3/10Easier to reach than about 70% of cities
Good to know
Good to Know
- Book ferry tickets in advance during high season (April-October) as popular routes sell out quickly, especially for Santorini to Athens.
- Airport has no direct bus connection to Athinios Port; you must connect through Fira, which involves waiting time. Taxi or private transfer are faster alternatives.
- Athinios Port can become extremely crowded in peak summer months. Allow extra time and arrive 1-1.5 hours before departure.
- Most rental cars in Greece are manual transmission; request automatic if needed and reserve in advance.
- Ferries between Athens and Santorini can be choppy in summer when strong winds affect the Aegean; conventional ferries with stabilizers offer more stability than high-speed catamarans.
- During summer (June-September), arriving multiple hours early at ferry ports is recommended due to heavy traffic and congestion.
- Taxi queues at the airport can be very long in summer; pre-booking a private transfer eliminates this wait.
- Many hotels offer airport pickup services; contact your accommodation to check availability.
- Island-hopping to nearby islands (Mykonos, Naxos, Crete, Milos) is convenient with multiple daily ferry options from Athinios Port.
Major Routes
Santorini to Athens (Piraeus)
- Notes
- Multiple daily departures April-October; reduced sailings winter. Optional cabin and premium seating available
Ferry Types
High-speed Ferries (SeaJets, Golden Star Ferries)
- Frequency
- Daily year-round; up to 9 daily in high season
- Travel time
- 5 hours
- Ticket Price From
- €46
- Notes
- Faster option; airplane-style seating; more expensive; affected by rough seas
Conventional Ferries (Blue Star Ferries, Fast Ferries)
- Travel time
- 8 hours
- Ticket Price From
- €46
- Notes
- More stable; open decks; cabin options available; more budget-friendly
1.5 to 9 Hours (Fastest 1 Hour 55 Minutes)
- Route
- Santorini to Mykonos
- Frequency
- Up to 6 daily in summer
- Ticket Price From
- €50
1.25 to 6 Hours
- Route
- Santorini to Naxos
- Frequency
- At least 6 daily
- Ticket Price From
- €12
1.5 to 3.5 Hours
- Route
- Santorini to Crete (Heraklion)
- Notes
- Regular connections available
2 to 2.5 Hours
- Route
- Santorini to Paros
- Frequency
- Multiple daily in summer
- Ticket Price From
- €32
2 to 5 Hours
- Route
- Santorini to Milos
- Frequency
- 2-3 daily
- Ticket Price From
- €35
40 to 60 Minutes
- Route
- Santorini to Ios
- Frequency
- Daily year-round
- Ticket Price From
- €7.00
50 Minutes to 3 Hours
- Route
- Santorini to Folegandros
- Frequency
- Up to 4 daily in summer
- Ticket Price From
- €7.00
1.5 to 2 Hours
- Route
- Santorini to Anafi
- Frequency
- 2 weekly (limited)
- Ticket Price From
- €6.00
- Notes
- Book in advance due to limited routes
Alternative Athens Ports
Rafina Port
- Frequency
- 2-3 daily in summer; seasonal (April-October)
- Ferry Types
- Mainly high-speed ferries
- Distance From Athens Airport
- 20 minutes by taxi or bus
- Notes
- Closer to Athens airport than Piraeus; fewer daily departures
Day Trips Accessible
20 Minutes by Boat
- Activities
- Hike active volcano, therapeutic hot springs
- Destination
- Volcano Islands (Nea Kameni & Palea Kameni)
- Travel Method
- Boat tour or private boat
Therasia Island
- Activities
- Traditional tavernas, peaceful island life
- Travel Method
- Boat from Fira or Oia ports
Oia
- Activities
- Sunset views, whitewashed houses, galleries, cafes
- Travel Method
- Bus from Fira
- Distance From Fira
- 15 km
Perissa Beach
- Activities
- Black sand beach, restaurants
- Travel Method
- Bus from Fira
Akrotiri
- Activities
- Red Beach, archaeological excavations
- Travel Method
- Bus or taxi from airport/Fira
- Distance From Airport
- 14 km
Kamari Beach
- Activities
- Volcanic black sand beach, promenade
- Travel Method
- Bus from Fira
Imerovigli
- Activities
- Caldera views, luxury resorts
- Travel Method
- Bus or taxi
- Distance From Airport
- 9 km
Pyrgos
- Activities
- Traditional village, churches, sunset spot away from crowds
- Travel Method
- Bus or taxi
Vlychada Beach
- Activities
- Unique white volcanic cliffs, black sand, tranquil atmosphere
- Travel Method
- Car or taxi
Pyrgos, Megalochori, Exo Gonia Villages
- Activities
- Wine tasting, volcanic soil flavors
- Destination
- Wineries
- Travel Method
- Organized tour or car rental
Airport To City Transport
approximately every 30 minutes
- Cost
- €2.00
- Travel Time Minutes
- 25
- Notes
- Cheapest option; buses often overcrowded in summer; no online ticket pre-booking available
- Description
- Regular public buses connect airport to Fira
Available 24/7 outside arrivals terminal
- Cost To Oia
- €38
- Cost To Fira
- €25
- Travel Time Minutes
- 10
- Notes
- Flat-rate system by destination; long queues during peak season; limited taxi availability in summer
Door-to-door service with driver meeting you at arrivals
- Travel Time Minutes
- 30
- Notes
- Similar price to taxi; avoids queuing; many companies available for advance booking
Multiple rental agencies in terminal
- Notes
- Most vehicles are manual transmission; parking available near terminal
Airport
- Code
- JTR
- Name
- Santorini International Airport (Thira Airport)
- Location
- 7 km southeast of Fira
- Description
- Small, efficient airport serving daily flights from Athens and numerous European destinations during summer months.
Main Port
- Name
- Athinios Port (Thira Port)
- Location
- 8 km southwest of Fira on western coast
- Description
- Only passenger ferry terminal; located at base of caldera cliffs; compact, can get crowded in peak season
Ferry Operators
Blue Star Ferries, SeaJets, Golden Star Ferries, Fast Ferries, Minoan Lines, Hellenic Seaways
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this getting there & away research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
- 1.santorinidave.com
- 2.visit-greece.info
- 3.davestravelpages.com
- 4.in2greece.com
- 5.santorini-airport.com
- 6.ferryhopper.com
- 7.ferryhopper.com
- 8.ferryscanner.com
- 9.go-ferry.com
- 10.santorinisecrets.com
- 11.greeka.com
- 12.santorini-view.com
- 13.ferries.gr
- 14.ferriesingreece.com
- 15.islepassport.com
- 16.santorini-view.com
- 17.santoriniexperts.com
- 18.ferryhopper.com
- 19.tradingeconomics.com
- 20.exchange-rates.org
More About Santorini
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.