How to get to Santorini

If whitewashed houses topped with blue domes, breathtaking volcanic landscapes and sunsets that belong on your Instagram feed sound like your kind of thing, Santorini is sure to impress. And that's before we've even mentioned the delicious food and warm hospitality that come hand in hand with a holiday to Greece. 

If you're planning a trip to Santorini, we're here to help you out. Whether you're travelling to Santorini from the UK or from one of the neighbouring Greek Islands, here's everything you need to know about getting to Santorini...

How to get to Santorini from the UK

If you're travelling from the UK to Santorini, you've got the choice of either flying or taking a flight and then a ferry. 

There are a few airlines that fly direct to Santorini including British Airways, EasyJet and Jet2. You can get flights from UK airports such as London, Manchester and Birmingham. Flying direct to Santorini is definitely the quickest option, but it's also the most expensive, especially if you're flying in the peak summer months. So, if you are planning on flying to Santorini from the UK, we recommend booking your flights as far in advance as possible to get them at the cheapest price.

You can also get a flight from the UK to another destination in Greece and then get a ferry across to Santorini. The benefits of travelling by ferry? It's cheaper, gives you more flexibility and it's more environmentally friendly!

You can fly to places in Greece such as Athens or Crete. Once you've arrived, you can hop on a ferry to Santorini. Ferries to Santorini will take you to the port of Thira, located in the southwestern part of the island.

Find out all about getting to Santorini from the rest of Greece below...

How to get from Athens to Santorini

Fancy a city and an island escape? The good news is, Athens is well-connected to Santorini, with both ferries and flights available from the Greek capital everyday.

You can get a direct flight from Athens to Santorini in around 50 minutes, making it the fastest way of getting from Athens to Santorini. Although you do need to factor in airport queues and boarding.

If you're looking to save some money, then getting a ferry from Athens to Santorini is definitely the cheapest way to get there. And with regular sailings throughout the week, there are plenty of options to choose from. Ferries from Athens to Santorini depart from either Piraeus or Rafina and arrive at Thira. 

Piraeus to Santorini ferry

If you’re staying in the centre of Athens, then Piraeus port is your best bet as it's the closest port to the centre. Ferries from Piraeus to Athens usually take about 6 hours 20 minutes, although the fastest ferries take around 4 hours 55 minutes. There are currently around 36 weekly sailings so you're bound to find a ferry crossing to suit you. Ferries from Piraeus cost around £164.

First ferry: 07:00
Last ferry: 19:46

Rafina to Santorini ferry

Alternatively, if you’re setting off to Santorini straight from the airport, Rafina ferry port is the closest. The ferry from Rafina to Thira takes about 5 hours 20 minutes. The only downside of travelling from Rafina to Santorini is that ferries aren't as regular, with only around 6 sailings per week. 

First ferry: 07:20
Last ferry: 07:20

How to get from Crete to Santorini

Dividing up your time between Crete and Santorini? We don't blame you! Santorini is also well-connected to Crete, with ferries between the islands taking less than 2 hours. The ferry from Santorini to Crete departs from Heraklion which is located on the northern coast of the island.

The Heraklion to Thira ferry usually takes 1 hour 55 minutes, although the fastest ferries from Crete to Santorini take as little as 1 hour 30 minutes. There are currently 10 weekly sailings from Heraklion to Thira. The trip usually costs £312 on average although prices can vary depending on when you book.

First ferry: 04:30
Last ferry: 23:45

How to get to Santorini from Mykonos

Mykonos to Santorini is a popular ferry route with many tourists wanting to soak up the beauty of both islands. With 33 weekly sailings, it's a convenient ferry route too. The ferry from Mykonos to Thira takes around 2 hours 50 minutes on a conventional ferry. However, if time isn't on your side, you can also get a Mykonos to Santorini fast ferry which takes about 1 hour 55 minutes. The ferry from Mykonos to Thira costs around £157 on average.

First ferry: 09:50
Last ferry: 18:35

How to get to Santorini from Paros

Island hopping around the Cyclades? You can get from Paros to Santorini in around 2 hours 15 minutes. That's just enough to time to soak up the breathtaking views onboard and grab a coffee or two. Ferries from Santorini to Paros are also popular, with 39 weekly sailings between the two Cyclades Islands. The price of the ferry from Paros to Thira is usually about £79.

First ferry: 09:00
Last ferry: 21:13

How to get to Santorini from Naxos

If you can tear yourself away from Naxos' beautiful beaches, Santorini is just a short ferry ride away. There are currently 31 weekly sailings between the two islands so you don't need to worry about finding a ferry to suit you. The Naxos to Santorini ferry usually takes about 1 hour 50 minutes on average although the fastest ferries to Santorini take just over 1 hour, making it the perfect option for a day trip. Ferries from Naxos cost around £102.
 
First ferry: 00:35
Last ferry: 23:40

How to get to Santorini from Milos

You can trade the peace and quiet of Milos for the buzz of Santorini in less than 2 hours on the fastest ferries. The ferry from Milos to Thira takes about 2 hours 30 minutes on a conventional ferry but the fastest take just 1 hour 50 minutes. They usually cost about £72. The route from Milos to Santorini isn't quite as popular though, with only around 7 sailings per week so it's best to plan your trip in advance.

First ferry: 11:15
Last ferry: 20:45

How to get to Santorini from Ios

Santorini is just a short ferry ride away from Ios. Ferries from Ios to Santorini can take as little as 35 minutes although they're usually about 40 minutes. With such a short sailing time, Santorini makes a great day trip from Ios or vice versa. There are currently around 32 sailings per week so you shouldn't have any issues finding a ferry time to suit your plans either. The ferry from Ios to Thira costs about £62 on average. 

First ferry: 00:30
Last ferry: 23:45

Getting to Santorini has never been so easy! Book your ferry to Santorini today and witness the island's beauty for yourself...