Santorini flights land at JTR airport, with frequent year-round links to Athens in about 50 minutes and many seasonal direct routes from across Europe in summer. This guide covers the airport, flights from Athens, the airlines, international routes, prices and booking tips for flying to Santorini.
Flying is the fastest way to reach the wider Santorini travel guide. The island has its own airport. The sections below cover flights.
Where do Santorini flights land?
Santorini flights land at Santorini National Airport, code JTR, on the east coast near Kamari, about 6 kilometres from Fira. It handles frequent domestic flights from Athens year-round and many seasonal international flights in summer, making flying the quickest way to reach the island.
All flights to the island arrive at Santorini National Airport, known by its code JTR. It sits on the flatter east coast near the beach resort of Kamari, only about 6 kilometres from the capital Fira, a short bus or taxi ride away. The airport handles a busy mix of domestic flights, above all the frequent shuttle from Athens that operates all year, and a wide range of seasonal international flights in the summer months. Compact and often crowded in peak season, it is nonetheless the fastest gateway to Santorini, sparing the longer ferry journey, set within the wider Santorini airport. The Athens link is the busiest.
How are flights from Athens to Santorini?
Flights from Athens to Santorini take about 50 minutes and run very frequently, with around 19 flights a day in season operated by Aegean and Sky Express. Fares start low, sometimes under 40 euros one way, but rise in peak summer, so the route is the easiest, quickest way to reach the island.
The Athens to Santorini route is the workhorse of getting to the island. The direct flight covers the 217 kilometres in just about 50 minutes, and runs extremely frequently, with roughly 19 flights a day in the high season, well over a hundred a week. The main carriers are the Greek airlines Aegean and Sky Express, giving plenty of choice through the day. Fares can be very reasonable, sometimes under 40 euros one way when booked ahead, though they climb sharply in peak July and August and around holidays. With Athens itself well connected to the world, flying via the Greek capital is the simplest route to Santorini for most international travellers, set out alongside the guide to how to get to Santorini. Direct European flights run in summer.
Are there direct international flights?
Yes, in summer Santorini has many seasonal direct flights from across Europe, including the UK, Germany, Italy, France and beyond, with airlines such as Ryanair, easyJet and other carriers. These run from roughly April to October; outside that, most travellers connect through Athens to reach the island.
For summer visitors, direct international flights make Santorini even easier to reach. From around April to October, a broad network of seasonal services links JTR directly with cities across Europe, including the UK, Germany, Italy, France, Switzerland and many others, flown by low-cost and charter airlines such as Ryanair, easyJet and a range of European carriers. This lets many travellers skip Athens altogether in high season and fly straight to the island. Outside the summer season these direct routes largely stop, so from late autumn to spring most international visitors connect through Athens, taking the short domestic hop on to Santorini, set out alongside the guide to the best time to visit Santorini. A little planning saves money.
What tips help for booking flights?
The tips are to book early, especially for peak July and August, when fares and demand are highest, to compare the frequent Athens flights and the seasonal direct routes, and to consider flying into Athens and connecting. April is often the cheapest month, and booking around 30 days ahead helps secure lower fares.
A little strategy keeps flight costs down. Because Santorini is hugely popular, book as far ahead as you can for the peak July and August period and around holidays, when both fares and demand peak and seats sell out. Compare your options: the very frequent, year-round Athens flights versus the seasonal direct European routes, which may be cheaper or more convenient in summer depending on where you start. Flying into well-connected Athens and taking the short, inexpensive domestic hop is a reliable approach all year. The cheapest month to fly tends to be April, in the quieter shoulder season, and booking roughly a month or more in advance generally secures the best prices, set out alongside the guides to Athens to Santorini and Santorini on a budget. The questions below cover the points travellers ask most.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the flight from Athens to Santorini?
The flight from Athens to Santorini takes about 50 minutes, covering 217 kilometres, and runs very frequently with around 19 flights a day in season, operated by Aegean and Sky Express. Fares can start low, sometimes under 40 euros one way, but rise in peak July and August.
Are there direct flights to Santorini?
In summer, from roughly April to October, Santorini has many seasonal direct flights from across Europe, including the UK, Germany, Italy and France, with airlines such as Ryanair and easyJet. Outside that season, most international travellers connect through Athens to reach the island.
What airport does Santorini use?
Santorini uses Santorini National Airport, code JTR, on the east coast near Kamari, about 6 kilometres from Fira. It handles frequent year-round domestic flights from Athens, about a 50-minute hop, and many seasonal international flights from across Europe in the summer months.