You get to Santorini by air, flying into JTR airport from Athens in about 45 minutes or direct from European cities, or by ferry from Piraeus and the other Cyclades islands. This guide covers the flights, the ferries, the airport and ports, transfers and getting around once you arrive.
Reaching the island is the first step of any trip, a practical part of the wider Santorini travel guide. Santorini sits in the southern Cyclades. The sections below cover getting there.
Should you fly or take the ferry?
You fly if you want speed, taking 45 minutes from Athens, or take the ferry for a scenic, often cheaper journey of five to eight hours from Piraeus. Flying suits short trips and those coming from afar; the ferry suits island-hoppers and travellers who enjoy the sea crossing.
The choice between plane and ferry shapes the journey. Flying is by far the quickest way to reach Santorini, with a domestic hop from Athens taking around 45 minutes and direct flights from many European cities in summer, ideal for short stays and long-haul arrivals. The ferry, by contrast, is a slower but scenic and often cheaper option, sailing across the Aegean past other islands, and is the natural choice for island-hopping around the Cyclades. Both arrive into well-connected points, so the decision comes down to time, budget and how much you enjoy being on the water, set out alongside the guide to a Santorini itinerary. Flights are the fastest route.
How do you fly to Santorini?
You fly to Santorini National Airport (JTR), reached in about 45 minutes from Athens with over 20 daily flights in summer from around 50 euros, or direct from European cities in two to four and a half hours. The small airport is busy in peak season, so allow extra time for departures.
Flying is simple and quick. Santorini National Airport, code JTR, sits on the east coast near Kamari and Monolithos and handles frequent domestic flights from Athens, which take roughly 45 minutes, with over twenty a day in summer and fares from about 50 euros depending on season and how early you book. Through the summer, direct charter and scheduled flights also link Santorini with many European cities, taking two to four and a half hours. The airport is small and can become crowded at the height of the season, so arriving early for departures is wise, set out alongside the guide to the best time to visit Santorini. Ferries are the scenic alternative.
How do the ferries work?
Ferries reach Santorini from Athens’s Piraeus port in about five hours by high-speed boat or eight by conventional ferry, and from the other Cyclades such as Mykonos, Naxos and Paros. They dock at Athinios port, with high-speed services running mainly in the busy season.
Ferries connect Santorini across the Aegean. From the mainland, boats leave Athens’s Piraeus port, with fast catamarans taking about five hours and conventional car ferries around eight, the latter often cheaper and running year-round via Blue Star. In summer a dense network of high-speed services links Santorini with the other Cyclades, including Mykonos in two to three and a half hours, along with Naxos, Paros and Ios, making island-hopping easy. Sea conditions and the meltemi wind can cause delays or cancellations in midsummer, so it is wise to allow flexibility, set out alongside the guide to where to stay in Santorini. The ports are worth understanding.
What are the ports and airport like?
Ferries dock at Athinios, the main port on the west coast about 8 kilometres below Fira, while the Old Port beneath Fira serves cruise tenders and the cable car. The airport is on the east coast near Kamari. Buses, taxis and pre-booked transfers wait at all three.
Knowing the arrival points helps you plan. Athinios is the island’s main ferry port, set at the foot of the caldera cliffs on the west coast, roughly 8 kilometres south of Fira and 9 kilometres from the airport, with public buses meeting each ferry and taxis and transfers on hand. The picturesque Old Port directly below Fira handles cruise-ship tenders and small boats, linked to the town by the cable car, the donkey path or a winding road. The airport lies on the flatter east coast near Kamari. From all three, the quickest, least stressful option to your hotel is usually a pre-booked transfer, set out alongside the guide to Fira. Getting around follows.
How do you get around Santorini?
You get around by KTEL bus, which links Fira with Oia, the beaches and the airport cheaply, by taxi, which is scarce and best pre-booked, or by hire car, quad or ATV for freedom. Pre-arranged transfers handle airport and port arrivals smoothly, especially in peak season.
Santorini is small but its roads get busy. The KTEL public buses radiate from the main station in Fira to Oia, Perissa, Kamari, Akrotiri and the airport for just a couple of euros, an easy and cheap way to get around without driving, though they fill up in high season. Taxis are few and in heavy demand, so they are best booked in advance. Many visitors hire a car, quad or ATV for the freedom to reach beaches, wineries and viewpoints on their own schedule, bearing in mind the narrow, winding cliff roads and limited parking in Oia and Fira. For arrivals, a pre-booked transfer is the smoothest choice, set out alongside the guide to a Santorini private tour. The questions below cover the points travellers ask most.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you get to Santorini from Athens?
From Athens you fly in about 45 minutes to Santorini airport, with over 20 flights a day in summer from around 50 euros, or take a ferry from Piraeus port, roughly five hours by high-speed boat or eight by conventional ferry. Flying is fastest; the ferry is scenic.
Does Santorini have an airport?
Santorini has its own airport, Santorini National Airport (JTR), on the east coast near Kamari. It handles frequent domestic flights from Athens, about 45 minutes, and direct summer flights from many European cities. It is small, so allow extra time in peak season.
Where do ferries arrive in Santorini?
Ferries arrive at Athinios, the main port on the west coast about 8 kilometres below Fira, where buses, taxis and transfers wait. The Old Port beneath Fira serves cruise tenders and the cable car. A pre-booked transfer is the easiest way to reach your hotel.