The Santorini to Milos ferry takes about 2 to 5 hours depending on the boat, with daily summer sailings from around 16 euros, linking volcanic Santorini with the colourful, beach-rich island of Milos. This guide covers the journey time, the prices, the operators, the schedule and tips for the crossing.
Milos is a rewarding western-Cyclades hop from the wider Santorini travel guide. It lies to the north-west. The sections below cover the ferry.
How long is the Santorini to Milos ferry?
The Santorini to Milos ferry takes from about 1 hour 55 minutes on the fastest SeaJets high-speed boat to around 4 hours 50 minutes on a slower conventional car ferry. Milos lies north-west of Santorini, and both islands are volcanic, making the crossing a popular link in the southern Cyclades.
The crossing time depends heavily on the vessel. The quickest service, a SeaJets high-speed catamaran, reaches Milos in just under two hours, while the larger Fast Ferries conventional ships take far longer, about 4 hours 50 minutes, but cost much less and carry vehicles comfortably. Milos sits to the north-west of Santorini, and like its neighbour it is a volcanic island, famous for its extraordinary coloured rock formations, the lunar landscape of Sarakiniko and dozens of dramatic beaches. The route is a favourite for travellers combining Santorini’s caldera with Milos’s wilder, less crowded coastline, set within the wider how to get to Santorini. The fares vary widely.
How much does the ferry cost?
The Santorini to Milos ferry costs from around 16 euros for a foot passenger on a slower boat up to about 120 euros for premium seats on the fast catamaran, averaging roughly 40 to 70 euros. The slower car ferries are the cheapest, sometimes 35 to 40 euros, with prices higher in peak summer.
Fares range broadly with the type of boat. A one-way foot-passenger ticket starts from as little as around 16 euros on a slower conventional sailing, with the cheaper car ferries often in the 35 to 40 euro range, while the fast SeaJets high-speed seats cost more, up to about 120 euros for premium and business class, so most travellers pay somewhere between 40 and 70 euros. Taking a vehicle is possible on all the ferries on this route, with cars averaging around 50 euros. As always, prices climb in the peak July and August period and as boats fill, so booking ahead secures both a place and a better fare, set out alongside the guide to a Santorini itinerary. The schedule is seasonal.
What is the schedule and operators?
The route is served by SeaJets high-speed boats and Fast Ferries conventional vessels, with around eight weekly sailings and two to three crossings a day in peak June to August. The first ferry leaves Santorini around 9am and the last about 7.30pm. All the ferries on the route carry vehicles.
The route runs through the tourist season rather than year-round. Two operators serve it: SeaJets with fast catamarans reaching Milos in under two hours, and Fast Ferries with large conventional ships taking closer to five but carrying vehicles cheaply. There are around eight sailings a week, and in the busy months of June, July and August this rises to roughly two or three crossings a day, with the first ferry leaving Santorini’s Athinios port around 9am and the last about 7.30pm. The service is active daily from about April through October but thins out sharply outside that, so shoulder-season travellers should check the timetable carefully, set out alongside the guide to the best time to visit Santorini. A few tips help.
What tips help for the crossing?
The tips are to book ahead for peak summer, arrive at Athinios port at least an hour before departure, choose the fast SeaJets boat to save time or the conventional ferry to save money, and allow flexibility for the meltemi wind, which can delay high-speed boats in midsummer. Milos rewards a stay.
A little planning makes the hop easy. Book your tickets in advance for the busy summer sailings, which can sell out, and decide between speed and price: the SeaJets fast boat halves the journey time, while the conventional Fast Ferries vessel costs much less and is gentler in rough seas. On the day, arrive at the busy Athinios port at least an hour before departure for the queues and port traffic, and build in some flexibility, as the strong meltemi wind in July and August can delay or disrupt the high-speed services. Milos, with its coloured cliffs, Sarakiniko and scores of beaches, deserves more than a day trip, so plan a stay, set out alongside the guides to Santorini day trips and the ports. The questions below cover the points travellers ask most.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the Santorini to Milos ferry take?
The Santorini to Milos ferry takes from about 1 hour 55 minutes on the fastest SeaJets high-speed boat to around 4 hours 50 minutes on a slower conventional car ferry. Milos lies north-west of Santorini, and the route runs daily through the summer season.
How much is the Santorini to Milos ferry?
The ferry costs from around 16 euros for a foot passenger on a slower boat up to about 120 euros for premium seats on the fast catamaran, averaging roughly 40 to 70 euros. The slower car ferries are cheapest, sometimes 35 to 40 euros, with prices higher in peak summer.
How often does the Santorini to Milos ferry run?
The Santorini to Milos ferry runs around eight times a week, rising to two or three crossings a day in peak June to August, operated by SeaJets and Fast Ferries. The service is daily from about April to October but thins out sharply outside the tourist season.