The Santorini to Ios ferry is one of the shortest Cyclades crossings, taking just 35 to 60 minutes by high-speed boat, with several daily summer sailings from around 15 euros, ideal for a day trip. This guide covers the journey time, the prices, the schedule, day trips and tips for the ferry.
Ios is the closest island to Santorini and an easy day trip, a handy link in the wider Santorini travel guide. It lies just to the north. The sections below cover the ferry.
How long is the Santorini to Ios ferry?
The Santorini to Ios ferry is very short, taking just 35 to 60 minutes by high-speed boat or around 1 hour 20 minutes by conventional ferry. Ios is the closest island to Santorini, making it one of the quickest and easiest island-hopping hops in the Cyclades.
The crossing to Ios is one of the shortest in the Cyclades. High-speed vessels make the run in just 35 to 50 minutes, while the slower conventional ferries take about an hour and twenty minutes, both heading a short way north from Santorini to its nearest island neighbour. This proximity makes Ios exceptionally easy to reach, whether as a day trip or a second-island stop. The route is well served in summer, putting the beaches and lively Chora of Ios within a quick hop of Santorini, set within the wider how to get to Santorini. The fares are low.
How much does the ferry cost?
The Santorini to Ios ferry is inexpensive, with one-way fares from around 6 to 65 euros for a foot passenger depending on the boat, season and class. High-speed seats are pricier than conventional ferries, but the short hop keeps even fast tickets relatively cheap, rising in peak summer.
Thanks to the short distance, fares on this route are among the cheaper Cyclades crossings. A one-way foot-passenger ticket ranges from as little as around 6 or 7 euros on a basic conventional sailing to roughly 65 euros for a premium seat on a fast boat, with most fares falling comfortably in between depending on the operator, the season and the class of seat. The high-speed services cost more than the slower ferries, but because the crossing is so brief, even these stay reasonable. As always, prices rise in peak July and August, so booking ahead secures the best fare and a place on popular sailings, set out alongside the guide to a Santorini itinerary. The schedule suits a day trip.
Can you do a day trip to Ios?
A day trip to Ios from Santorini is easy, with several daily sailings in summer, the first leaving Athinios around 6.15am and the last returning in the evening. The short crossing leaves plenty of time to explore the beaches, the hilltop Chora and the relaxed atmosphere before returning.
Ios is a popular and easy day trip from Santorini. In the high season there are several crossings a day, with the first ferry leaving Santorini’s Athinios port around 6.15am and the last returning in the evening, so the short hop leaves plenty of time on the island. Visitors come for the golden sandy beaches, such as Mylopotas, and the charming hilltop Chora, a maze of white lanes, bougainvillea and 365 churches, with sweeping views from the top. Ios has a reputation as a party island in peak July and August, but is far more relaxed in the shoulder months, making for a lovely, easygoing day out, set out alongside the guide to Santorini day trips. Plan the return carefully.
What tips help for the ferry?
The tips are to check the outbound and return times carefully for a day trip, book ahead in peak summer, arrive at Athinios port at least an hour before departure, and allow for delays from the meltemi wind. The first ferry is early, so a full day on Ios is easily possible.
A little planning makes the Ios hop seamless. For a day trip, the single most important step is to check both the outbound and return ferry times before you go, ensuring an early enough departure and a late enough return to give a full day, and to book ahead in the busy summer months when sailings fill. On the day, arrive at the busy Athinios port at least an hour before departure, as queues and port traffic build in summer, and allow some flexibility, since the high-speed boats can be delayed by the strong meltemi wind in midsummer. With an early start, Ios makes a rewarding, low-cost escape, set out alongside the guide to the best time to visit Santorini. The questions below cover the points travellers ask most.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Santorini to Ios crossing?
The Santorini to Ios ferry takes just 35 to 60 minutes by high-speed boat or around 1 hour 20 minutes by conventional ferry. Ios is the closest island to Santorini, making it one of the quickest and easiest island-hopping crossings in the Cyclades.
Is a day trip to Ios from Santorini possible?
You can easily do a day trip to Ios, with several daily summer sailings, the first leaving Athinios around 6.15am and the last returning in the evening. The short crossing leaves plenty of time to explore the beaches and the hilltop Chora before returning to Santorini.
How much is the Santorini to Ios ferry?
The ferry is inexpensive, with one-way fares from around 6 to 65 euros for a foot passenger depending on the boat, season and class. High-speed seats cost more than conventional ferries, but the short hop keeps even fast tickets relatively cheap, rising in peak summer.