Getting from Mykonos to Santorini is easiest by ferry, a roughly 2 to 3 hour crossing from Mykonos New Port at Tourlos to Santorini’s Athinios port, run by SeaJets and other companies, or by a short flight. This guide covers the ferries, journey times, prices, the ports, booking and tips for island hopping.
Santorini is the most popular island-hop from Mykonos in the Mykonos travel guide, pairing two iconic Cyclades. The sections below cover the journey in full.
How do you get from Mykonos to Santorini?
The main way from Mykonos to Santorini is by ferry, a direct crossing of roughly 2 to 3 hours run by SeaJets and other companies, with regular daily sailings in summer. Short flights via Athens also exist. The ferry suits most travellers.
The two most famous Cycladic islands are well connected and often combined on one trip. By far the most common way across is the ferry, a direct sea crossing that takes roughly 2 to 3 hours depending on the boat. Regular sailings run daily through the summer season, making it simple to hop between the islands. The fast catamarans and high-speed ferries cover the route quickly and comfortably, and the journey offers views of the Aegean and other islands along the way.
The alternative is to fly, but there are no direct flights between Mykonos and Santorini. Flying therefore means connecting through Athens, which is slower and less convenient than the direct ferry for such a short hop. For these reasons the ferry is the preferred, scenic and straightforward choice for most travellers going from Mykonos to Santorini, set out alongside the guide to getting to Mykonos. The ferry companies and times are worth knowing.
Which ferries run from Mykonos to Santorini?
Ferries from Mykonos to Santorini are run mainly by SeaJets, alongside Minoan Lines and Golden Star Ferries. The high-speed boats make the crossing in around 2 to 3 hours, with up to eight crossings a day in high season.
The dominant operator is SeaJets, which runs the largest fleet on the route with numerous fast ferries each day. It is joined by other companies including Minoan Lines and Golden Star Ferries. In the high season there are typically up to around eight crossings daily, so you can usually find a departure to suit your schedule. Most of these are high-speed catamarans and fast ferries designed for quick island hopping.
The boats cover the distance in roughly 2 to 3 hours, with certain services faster or slower. Others make intermediate stops at islands such as Naxos, Ios or Paros along the way, which can lengthen the journey. Timetables change by day and season, so checking the current schedule when planning is sensible. The ferries run seasonally, roughly from March to November, set out alongside the guides to the ports and Mykonos vs Naxos. Knowing the ports avoids confusion.
Which ports do the Mykonos ferries use?
Ferries to Santorini leave from Mykonos New Port at Tourlos, not the Old Port in town, and arrive at Santorini’s main port of Athinios. Reach the New Port about 45 minutes ahead of sailing in summer, and arrange onward transport from Athinios.
Departures from Mykonos leave from the New Port at Tourlos, the large modern port about 2.5 kilometres north of Mykonos Town where the big ferries and cruise ships dock. They do not leave from the small Old Port beside the town, so make sure you head to the correct port. In summer it is best to reach Mykonos New Port about 45 minutes ahead of sailing to allow for boarding. Arriving a full two hours early is unnecessary unless your operator specifically tells you to.
On arrival in Santorini, the ferries dock at Athinios, the island’s main ferry port. Athinios sits at the base of the cliffs below the famous clifftop towns of Fira and Oia, so you will need onward transport up and across the island. The best option is to arrange a hotel or private transfer in advance. The cheapest is the public bus from Athinios to Fira. Planning the ports and transfers in advance makes the journey smooth, set out alongside the guide to a Mykonos itinerary. The cost and timing are worth planning.
How much does the ferry cost and how long does it take?
The Mykonos to Santorini ferry takes around 2 to 3 hours and costs from roughly 80 euros per person on the fast boats, with prices varying by company, season and seat class. Book online in advance, especially in peak summer.
The fast ferries cover the route in around 2 to 3 hours, reaching Santorini comfortably within a half day, while services with intermediate stops take longer. Ticket prices start from roughly 80 euros per person on the high-speed boats. The exact fare depends on the ferry company, the season, how far ahead you book and the class of seat or cabin you choose, so prices are higher in July and August and for premium seating.
This is one of the busiest routes in the Cyclades. It is strongly recommended to book your tickets online in advance rather than waiting until you arrive in Mykonos, as sailings at convenient times can sell out in high season. Booking ahead also lets you compare times and prices and choose the most direct, suitable crossing. Reserving early secures your plans and often a better fare, set out alongside the guide to Mykonos on a budget. Practical tips smooth the trip.
What tips help for the Mykonos to Santorini journey?
Book ferry tickets online in advance, choose a direct fast ferry, and head to Mykonos New Port at Tourlos about 45 minutes early. Arrange a transfer from Athinios ahead of time, keep luggage manageable, and take seasickness precautions on windy days.
Book your ferry tickets online well in advance, particularly in peak season, and choose a direct fast ferry where possible to keep the crossing short. Check whether your boat makes intermediate stops. On travel day, go to the correct port, the New Port at Tourlos rather than the Old Port, and get there about 45 minutes before sailing to allow for boarding and luggage. Pack so your luggage is manageable, as you may need to handle it yourself on and off the boat, and keep valuables and documents with you.
Arrange your onward transport from Athinios in Santorini ahead of time, ideally a hotel or private transfer to your accommodation. The port sits below the clifftop towns and taxis can be scarce at busy sailings. If you are prone to seasickness, take precautions, as the fast ferries can be bumpy when the meltemi wind picks up and the sea is rough. With these steps, island hopping between the two icons is easy and enjoyable, set out alongside the guides to Mykonos weather and day trips. The next question weighs whether to make the trip.
Should you visit Santorini from Mykonos?
Yes, Santorini pairs well with Mykonos on an island-hopping trip. The two are close, well connected and offer contrasting experiences: Mykonos for beaches and nightlife, Santorini for caldera views and sunsets. Two or three days on each makes a classic Cyclades holiday.
Combining Mykonos and Santorini is one of the most rewarding ways to experience the Cyclades, and the easy ferry link makes it simple. The two islands are close neighbours yet offer strikingly different experiences, so visiting both gives real variety on one trip. Mykonos is the island of golden beaches, glamorous beach clubs, world-class nightlife, chic shopping and a cosmopolitan atmosphere. Santorini is famous for its dramatic volcanic caldera, the whitewashed clifftop towns of Fira and Oia, the celebrated sunsets, the wine and a more romantic character.
Spending two or three days on each, linked by the 2 to 3 hour ferry, lets you enjoy the beaches and energy of Mykonos and the views and romance of Santorini in one holiday. The pairing suits couples, honeymooners and first-time visitors who want to see two of Greece’s most iconic islands. With the ports, ferries and transfers planned in advance, the combination is straightforward, set out alongside the guides to when to visit and a Mykonos honeymoon. Timing the crossing well matters too.
When is the best time to travel from Mykonos to Santorini?
The ideal time for the crossing is the shoulder season of May, June, September and October for calmer seas, pleasant weather and easier booking. Take a morning ferry for a full day on arrival, and avoid the windiest meltemi days.
The shoulder months of May, June, September and early October are ideal, with warm weather, generally calmer seas than the windiest peak weeks, thinner crowds and easier ferry and accommodation booking. July and August are busiest and the sailings can sell out, so reserving early is essential then. The key practical factor is the wind. Mykonos and the open Cyclades are exposed to the strong meltemi wind in summer, which can make the fast-ferry crossing bumpy and occasionally cause delays or cancellations.
Where possible, choosing a calmer day and a larger, more stable boat helps, and travellers prone to seasickness should take precautions. Within the day, a morning departure is often best. It gets the crossing done early and gives you a full day and afternoon to settle into Santorini and reach your accommodation before evening. Booking your ferry in advance for your chosen day and time, and keeping a little flexibility for weather, keeps the island hop smooth, set out alongside the guides to when to visit and Mykonos weather. With the ferry booked, the port confirmed and the Santorini transfer arranged, the journey between the two most iconic Cyclades becomes a scenic part of the holiday. Planning the timing rewards you with an easy crossing.
Can you visit Santorini as a day trip from Mykonos?
A Santorini day trip from Mykonos is possible but tight. A morning fast ferry and a late-afternoon return give four to five hours ashore, enough for Fira, Oia and a caldera view. Staying one night is far more rewarding.
A number of visitors do the crossing as a long day trip. With an early fast ferry across and a return in the late afternoon or evening, you can spend four to five hours in Santorini, taking the bus or a transfer up to Fira, walking part of the caldera path and reaching Oia for the views. Organised day tours package the ferry, transport and a guide, which removes the logistics on a tight schedule.
The drawback is time. The crossing eats into both ends of the day, and Santorini’s highlights, the sunset at Oia, the wineries and the caldera villages, deserve longer. If your holiday allows, staying at least one night lets you see the sunset and enjoy a slower pace. For travellers set on a day return, a direct sailing and a pre-booked transfer make the difference, set out alongside the guide to Mykonos day trips.
What can you do on Santorini after the ferry?
Santorini offers the caldera villages of Fira and Oia, the famous sunset, black and red volcanic beaches, and the local wineries. A boat tour to the volcano and hot springs fills a half-day, and a clifftop walk links Fira to Oia.
Once you reach the island, the caldera is the headline. Fira, the capital, perches on the cliff edge with cafes, shops and sweeping views over the flooded volcanic crater. Oia, at the northern tip, is the postcard village of blue domes and whitewashed lanes, and its sunset draws a crowd every evening. The clifftop path between the two takes around two to three hours on foot and passes the village of Imerovigli along the way. Buses connect Fira with the beaches and Oia if you prefer not to walk, and taxis and transfers cover the same routes at a higher cost. A cable car and a donkey path link Fira with the old port below for visitors who arrive by cruise tender rather than at the main Athinios ferry port.
Beyond the villages, Santorini rewards a longer stay. The volcanic beaches at Perissa, Perivolos and Kamari have black sand, while Red Beach near Akrotiri is framed by rust-coloured cliffs. The island’s wineries pour the crisp Assyrtiko white grown in the volcanic soil, and boat trips cross the caldera to the volcano and hot springs. Pairing these with the Mykonos highlights makes the two-island trip feel complete, set out alongside the guide to Mykonos island hopping. Many travellers spend the first leg on Mykonos for the beaches and nightlife, then cross to Santorini to slow down for the caldera and the wine, which gives the holiday a natural arc from energy to calm.
Which ferry type suits the Mykonos to Santorini crossing?
High-speed catamarans cross from Mykonos to Santorini fastest, in about 1 hour 50 minutes on the quickest boats. Conventional ferries take three hours or more but ride the swell more steadily. Calm days favour the catamaran, and windy days favour the larger ship.
SeaJets runs most high-speed boats on the route. Seating on these boats follows an airline layout, with economy, business and VIP classes. The lighter hull saves time but reacts more to rough water. The Santorini to Mykonos ferry uses the same boats on the return leg.
Conventional ferries are larger and slower. They carry vehicles and have open decks. The deck gives views of the Cyclades on the way. Passengers prone to seasickness do better on these larger ships, in a seat near the middle of the vessel.
The summer meltemi wind slows, delays or cancels high-speed sailings more than conventional ones. Check the vessel type when booking. Do not plan the return crossing on the same day as a tight onward flight.
Which ancient sites reward a stay on Santorini after the Mykonos ferry?
Akrotiri and Ancient Thera reward a stay on Santorini. Akrotiri is a Bronze Age town buried by the great volcanic eruption and preserved under ash. Ancient Thera stands on the Mesa Vouno ridge above Kamari and Perissa.
Akrotiri lies near the south-western tip of the island. Ash from the eruption covered the town and kept its streets, multi-storey houses and wall paintings. People call it the Greek Pompeii. A roof now shelters the whole excavation.
Finds from Akrotiri, including wall paintings, are on show at the Museum of Prehistoric Thera in Fira.
Ancient Thera sits on a high ridge between the black-sand beaches of Kamari and Perissa. Its ruins span Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine times. A road climbs from the Kamari side, and a footpath rises from Perissa.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the Mykonos to Santorini ferry take?
The ferry from Mykonos to Santorini takes around 2 to 3 hours on the fast boats, with certain services longer when they make intermediate stops at islands like Naxos or Ios. Several daily crossings run in summer, departing from Mykonos New Port at Tourlos and arriving at Santorini’s Athinios port.
How much does the Mykonos to Santorini ferry cost?
The Mykonos to Santorini ferry costs from roughly 80 euros per person on the fast boats, with prices varying by company, season and seat class and rising in peak summer. Book online in advance to secure your preferred time and a better fare, as this busy route can sell out in high season.
Which port do ferries to Santorini leave from in Mykonos?
Ferries to Santorini leave from Mykonos New Port at Tourlos, about 2.5 km north of town, not the Old Port. Arrive about 45 minutes before departure in summer. They arrive at Santorini’s main port of Athinios, below the clifftop towns, so arrange onward transport in advance.