How to Get From Athens to Santorini: The Best Routes For All Budgets
Whether you prefer to travel by plane or ferry, it’s super easy to get from Athens to Santorini. With several convenient and affordable options available to suit your budget and travel preferences, you’ll be exploring Santorini in no time. Read on to find our more.
We’ll never forget our first glimpse of Santorini. From the deck of our Athens to Santorini ferry as it lurched towards Athinios port, we watched in awe as the towering red cliffs, dotted with sugar-cube villages domed with blue, moved past slowly.
We gently made our way through the caldera, surrounded on each side by the craggy remains of an ancient volcano that buried entire civilisations and drowned land with its fiery power. From our watery vantage point, it became wildly apparent why Santorini is one of the most visited islands in the country.
A visit to Santorini is simply a must for any discerning traveller, and thankfully, it’s super easy to get from Athens to Santorini to enjoy the island for yourself.
Whether you prefer to travel by plane or ferry, there are several options available to suit your budget and travel preferences.
For those short on time, you can take a direct flight from Athens to Santorini, with flights operating daily between the city and the island.
Alternatively, if you’d prefer to have our experience, daily ferries service the Athens to Santorini route, with both fast and slow ferries depending on your preference.
This guide aims to help independent travellers get from Athens to Santorini safely, comfortably, and efficiently.
We’ve provided the best travel options based on travel preference, time constraints and budget. Whichever option you choose, you're sure to be enchanted by the stunning beauty of Santorini, making it a must-visit destination for any traveller to Greece.
ATHENS
TO
SANTORINI
FERRY DEPARTURES | Up to 5 per day
FERRY COST | From €45 - €100
BOOK | Through Ferry Hopper
FLIGHT DEPARTURES | Up to 10 per day
FLIGHT COST | From €100
WHERE IS SANTORINI?
Santorini (officially known as Thera) is a small island in the Cyclades, a group of islands in the Aegean Sea, and about 200km southeast of Athens. It's the most southern of the Cycladic Islands, with Ios and Anafi as neighbours.
Historically, its position in the maritime crossroads between the Mediterranean and the Middle East made it a strong trading port, but also a target for marauding pirates.
These days, it's home to 15 villages and is technically part of an archipelago comprised of Santorini, Thirassia, Aspronisi, and the volcanic remains of Palea Kameni and Nea Kameni, created after a volcanic eruption 3,700 years ago.
ATHENS TO SANTORINI FERRY
As one of the Cyclades’ most popular islands, Santorini is super well connected by ferry to Athens, with multiple daily ferries from Piraeus (the mainland Athens port) as well as nearby Cycladic islands.
There are two types of ferries that connect Athens to Santorini - the comfortable, high-speed, hydrofoil ferries operated by SeaJets and Golden Star, and the more traditional slow ferries, operated by Minoan Lines, Blue Star, and Fast Ferries.
The adventurer (or wanderer) in us tells you to take the slow ferries, which offer much more space, and stunning views as you cruise through the Cycladic Islands and into the famous Santorini caldera. If you’re lucky enough to grab an indoor couch or chair, the ride is extremely comfortable, even in strong winds. Otherwise, sitting on the outside decks, headphones in, relaxing and watching the world go by, is one of life’s great pleasures.
On the other hand, the efficient traveller in us wants to give you the best advice, and that is, book the fast ferry, get to Santorini in half the time, and spend the rest of your day lounging by a pool, Spritz in hand, loving life.
Whichever way you decide, both options are affordable, ranging between €45 - €100, depending on the season, ferry type, and seat type.
Now, it’s probably at this point you should know that the Athens to Santorini ferries get busy. Very busy. So we suggest booking well in advance, especially if you plan to travel during July, August or September. More on that is below.
Ferries were our preference for getting around the islands, both for cutting down on unnecessary short flights, and also because they're generally the faster, more comfortable, and more affordable option anyway.
TIP | Book your Athens to Santorini ferry tickets well in advance
HOW TO BOOK ATHENS TO SANTORINI FERRY TICKETS
The easiest and most efficient way to book your Athens to Santorini ferry tickets is through a third-party provider - we used Ferry Hopper throughout our 2 months in Greece and loved the seamless service and affordability, especially when compared with the outdated ticket platforms used by the ferry companies.
Booking tickets on Ferry Hopper gave us peace of mind, knowing our tickets were secured ahead of time, and that nothing, pending a union strike or high winds, was going to stop us from making our journey.
The process is simple - jump on their app or online, select your travel dates, the departure time you’d prefer, or by ferry type (fast, slow), and book your required seating (deck, VIP or cabin). Make your payment, and the tickets will be sent directly to your email, as well as stored in the app, which makes boarding an absolute breeze, trust us.
Alternatively, you can purchase your ferry tickets directly at the ferry ports, with each company supplying on-site ticket booths. We’d advise against this, especially in summer - ferries tend to book out well in advance, so waiting until the day of departure to book your ticket is risky.
Remember to arrive at the departure port at least an hour prior to departure.
BOOK | Book your Santorini ferry tickets through Ferry Hopper
ATHENS TO SANTORINI FERRY TICKET OPTIONS
Tickets vary from economy seats through to private cabins on all Athens to Santorini ferries.
HIGH-SPEED FERRIES
Fast ferries offer three types of seating - economy, VIP and Platinum. Economy seats are similar to aeroplane seats - wide and comfortable, but many to a row.
VIP tickets are in a different area of the ship but are mostly the same seats as in Economy. In our opinion, they’re not worth the money.
Platinum seats are located in a quiet, contained room on board the fast ferry. The ticket features dedicated service, large, comfortable seats, and power sockets to charge your devices.
Due to the relatively quick ferry time, we recommend booking economy seats.
SLOW FERRIES
Slow ferries are more affordable and tend to have far greater ticket options due to their size and travel times.
For most ferries, tickets will include deck seating (economy), numbered seats, lounge (business class), and cabins (one bed to four beds).
We recommend booking a numbered seat, which provides a guaranteed seat that in the height of summer, is highly sought after, and potentially a power socket, depending on which company you book with. Alternatively, if you’d prefer your own space and to get some rest, the private cabins are a great option.
The economy seats aren’t bad per se - on a nice day, you can sit outside and watch the world go by, or do as backpacker Mark did 20 years ago, and set up a makeshift bed for a long nap.
BOOK | Book your Santorini ferry tickets through Ferry Hopper
HOW LONG IS THE FERRY RIDE FROM ATHENS TO SANTORINI?
The ferry ride from Athens to Santorini can take anywhere from 4.5 hours to 9 hours.
The highspeed ferry from Athens to Santorini takes around 4.5 - 5 hours, while the more traditional slow ferries take between 7 - 9 hours.
Remember, travel time will depend on the ferry company you choose, the time of year, and important factors such as weather conditions and tides. We suggest checking the ferry schedules and travel times prior to departure.
WHERE IS PIREAUS PORT & HOW TO GET THERE
The Port of Piraeus is actually not located within the city of Athens itself, but rather in the nearby suburb of Piraeus, which is about 10 kilometres southwest of Athens.
It is the largest port in Greece and one of the busiest ports in the Mediterranean region, so there are a number of ways to get to the port from Athens city centre:
METRO | The easiest and most convenient way to get to Piraeus port from Athens is by taking the Metro Line 1 (Green Line), which connects Athens to Piraeus. The journey takes around 25 minutes from Monastiraki or Omonia stations. Expect to pay around €1.50 - €2 for the journey. From Piraeus station, it’s a short walk to the port. There are plenty of places to grab food and drink before your ferry departs.
BUS | There are also several bus routes that run from Athens to Piraeus, including buses 040, 049, 218, 232, 815, and A1. The journey takes around 30-45 minutes depending on the traffic
TAXI / UBER | Taxis and Uber are widely available in Athens, and you can take a taxi direct to Piraeus port if it’s super hot, or you have a lot of luggage. The journey takes around 20-30 minutes, depending on traffic, and will cost around €30 - €40.
Overall, taking the metro is the most convenient and cost-effective option for getting to Piraeus port from Athens.
FERRIES FROM OTHER ISLANDS TO SANTORINI
If you’re already in the Greek Islands and wish to visit Santorini, a number of surrounding islands have direct ferry services. These include Amorgos, Anafi, Folegandros, Crete (Heraklion), Ioa, Milos, Mykonos, Naxos, Paros and Tinos.
As always, we suggest checking departure routes and times, and booking your tickets in advance through Ferry Hopper.
BOOK | Book your Santorini ferry tickets through Ferry Hopper
HOW TO GET FROM SANTORINI PORT TO FIRA & OIA
Once you’ve arrived at Santorini Ferry Port (otherwise known as Athinios Port, New Port or Thira Port), you’ll wonder what possessed you to visit Santorini. It’s absolutely chaotic, crowded and confusing, so prepare yourself.
Fortunately, Santorini is small, and the Port is located 9km southwest of Fira, and 23km from Oia, so travel times aren’t too long, apart from during the height of summer.
From Athinios Port to Fira, the travel time is 10 - 20 minutes and is operated by the metered taxi service, and local shuttle bus.
There are a number of ways to get from Athinios Port to Fira, which we’ve listed below:
LOCAL BUS | The shuttle bus to Fira & Oia is quick and cheap, although the hair-raising driving up the hill will leave you fearing for your life. Tickets to Fira cost €2.30 for the 20-minute ride or €3 to Oia (cash only). If you’re travelling to Oia, you’ll need to change bus in Fira, which sometimes includes a 30+ minute wait. Buses operate between 06:00 - 23:00 daily and generally wait for ferries to arrive before departing. Read more here
TAXI | Expect to pay around €25 - €30 for a taxi to Fira. For transfers to Oia, expect to pay around €60 for the 30-minute journey. If you travel as a group, a taxi can be quite a cost-effective mode of travel. Most taxis are cash only.
PRIVATE TRANSFER | Some of the best Santorini hotels offer complimentary private transfers, which need to be organised in advance
We used buses regularly in Santorini, and the service is super efficient. It does get busy, so you might need to get elbows out to secure a seat, but that’s all part of the fun.
ATHENS TO SANTORINI FLIGHT
Keen to visit Santorini, but not willing to take the long, and sometimes arduous ferry ride? Well, you’re in luck! You can fly from Athens to Santorini direct, year-round.
Flying is the quickest and easiest way to visit Greece’s number one island, especially if you’re only in Greece for a limited time, and are looking to explore Santorini and a few other Cycladic Islands, such as Mykonos, Naxos or Paros.
Aegean, Olympic and Sky Express offer flights throughout the year (yep, even in winter!), however through the peak summer months, Ryanair and Volotea also operate the route.
In the summer, there are upwards of 20 flights a day between Athens and Santorini which allows for flexibility, especially for those coming from outside Europe. Depending on your arrival to Greece from elsewhere, you may be able to fly straight to Santorini without a night in Athens - in our opinion, this is the best option for first-time visitors to Greece.
You can fly to Santorini from Athens year-round, while during the summer months, there are direct flights from many European capitals to Santorini. From the airport, you can take the 10-minute local bus for ~€2, or taxis will range between €30-45.
Prices increase as demand increases, so the summer months can be pricey and tend to sell out. We suggest booking well in advance (Jan - March are good times).
Expect to pay in excess of €100 per person in the summer, but as always, make sure you check airline baggage allowances before booking - low-cost carriers such as Ryanair might look cheap on paper, but once you add baggage, the price may exceed other full-service airlines. We’d suggest booking Aegean Airlines as we’ve only had great experiences on this airline.
As always, please consider whether flying is appropriate during the climate crisis. On average, flights from Athens to Santorini produce 30kg + of CO2 emissions, which in our opinion, is unnecessary. If you chose to fly, please offset your emissions. Learn how, here.
ATHENS TO SANTORINI FLIGHT TIME
The flight time from Athens to Santorini is 50 minutes, depending on weather conditions.
WHERE IS ATHENS AIRPORT & HOW TO GET THERE?
Flights from Athens to Santorini depart from Athens Domestic Airport, otherwise known as Eleftherios Venizelos
The airport is located 33 km from Athens city centre, and travel time takes around 35 - 60 minutes, depending on your mode of transport.
There are three modes of transport to get to Athens Airport - taxi / Uber, the Athens metro, or bus.
Taxis / Uber are obviously the most expensive option, and a fare is likely to cost between €40 - €60 depending on your travel time. They’re also the most comfortable option and take around 35 minutes.
The metro is our suggested option to get to the airport from the city, especially for those on a budget. We’ve taken this a number of times, and it’s safe, comfortable and air-conditioned.
Tickets for the Athens airport metro cost €9 one-way or €16 return, and the journey takes around 40 minutes. Trains are available every 30 minutes from 05:40 - 23:30.
NOTE | For flights to Santorini, you’ll need to depart from the domestic terminal
HOW TO GET FROM SANTORINI AIRPORT TO FIRA & OIA
Once you’ve arrived at Santorini Airport, you’ll likely want to get straight to your accommodation and lounge by the pool, before watching an epic Oia sunset.
Fortunately, Santorini is small, and the airport is located 5km northwest of Fira, and 15km from Oia, so travel times aren’t too long, apart from during the height of summer.
From Santorini Airport to Fira, the travel time is 10 - 20 minutes and is operated by the metered taxi service, and local shuttle bus.
TAXI | Expect to pay around €25 for a taxi to Fira. For transfers to Oia, expect to pay around €60 for the 30-minute journey. If you travel as a group, a taxi can be quite a cost-effective mode of travel. Most taxis are cash only.
BUS | Alternatively, the shuttle bus to Fira & Oia is quick and cheap. Tickets to Fira cost €1.80 for the 20-minute ride or €3 to Oia (cash only). If you’re travelling to Oia, you’ll need to change bus in Fira, which sometimes includes a 30+ minute wait. Buses operate between 06:00 - 23:00 daily.
We used buses regularly in Santorini, and the service is super efficient. It does get busy, so you might need to get elbows out to secure a seat, but that’s all part of the fun.
IS IT BETTER TO FLY OR FERRY FROM ATHENS TO SANTORINI?
Overall, we’d suggest taking the ferry from Athens to Santorini.
Travelling by ferry is a rite of passage in Greece, and provides a picturesque way of seeing the country’s vast network of islands. It’s also cost-effective and relaxing - the stress of boarding flights, baggage allowances and delays means that a ferry is a vastly superior option.
We recommend downloading a few of your favourite podcasts or tv shows, grabbing a few snacks, and sitting back to embrace the subtle joy of ferry travel.
ESSENTIAL SANTORINI TRAVEL INFORMATION
WHAT TO SEE AND DO IN SANTORINI
In so many places, Santorini feels like an island that exists solely for tourists.
But travel just a few kilometres beyond the Caldera, and you'll discover rustic, traditional villages, vineyards, and cute little fishing villages that are worlds away from the hustle and bustle of Oia and Fira.
You can read our guide on the best things to see and do in Santorini here, but overall, you must visit:
Explore every inch of Oia
Swim & eat in Ammoudi Bay
Walk around Megalochori & Pyrgos villages
Wine tasting at Domaine Sigalas
A guided day tour from to Nea Kameni volcanic island
The ancient city of Akrotiri
Eat lunch at Metaxi Mas
READ MORE | Our guide to the best things to do in Santorini
WHERE TO STAY IN SANTORINI
Forget Fira and Oia, the clifftop town of Imerovigli is the best town to stay in on Santorini by far.
Below are a few of our suggested hotels:
IMEROVIGLI | Luxury: Kapari Natural Resort, a sustainably-minded boutique eco-hotel, or the budget-friendly Remezzo Villas which also has a dream caldera view!
OIA HOTELS | Luxury: Canaves Oia Suites and Spa built into the cliffs of the caldera and with an epic infinity pool, pr the budget-friendly Volcanic Arc Suites
READ MORE | Where to stay on Santorini
YOUR SANTORINI PACKING ESSENTIALS
Travelling through Santorini comes with a unique set of needs.
To help you have a comfortable, happy journey, we recommend bringing the following items with you:
REUSABLE WATER BOTTLE | THE BEST INVESTMENT WE’VE EVER MADE! We use the Grayl water purification bottles, which allow us to fill up from any water source, anywhere in the world (including train taps!)
A TOTE BAG | The humble tote is a versatile little lifesaver when on the road. They're plastic-free, small, easily foldable, and can pack a surprising amount! Check out this range of beautifully designed, personalisable totes bags here
BIODEGRADABLE WET WIPES | Keep clean without destroying the planet!
HAND SANITISER | This is not something we’d actually recommend normally, but we now live in Covid times... so this can be a bloody great investment
INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL ADAPTER | You’ll need a European plug to keep your gear going!
POWER BANK | Don’t get caught out without power for your devices
EYE MASK | For those annoyingly early European sunrises!
BIO-FRIENDLY TOILETRIES | Avoid damaging and chemical-heavy products and facial scrubs with microbeads altogether. We recommend Lush solid shampoo, conditioner and bodywash bars, ocean-friendly sunscreen (Stream2Sea), a mooncup is a great investment for “that” week and Lip balm for the sun
TRAVEL INSURANCE | STAY SAFE IN GREECE
If you can't afford travel insurance, you really can't afford to travel. As the current global situation has taught many people, things can go wrong anywhere in the world - and insurance is often the only way of mitigating any issues with minimal expense or stress for you.
Here are our recommendations, based on 8+ years of full-time travel:
FOR TRAVELLERS | HeyMondo - COVID-19 coverage, comprehensive travel + medical insurance, an app with 24-hour medical support, and no out-of-pocket fees. *Get 5% off your policy by booking through our link here.
FOR DIGITAL NOMADS | SafetyWing - COVID-19 coverage, comprehensive travel & medical, and policies can be purchased while already abroad.
CAR INSURANCE | Insurance4CarHire - a great annual car insurance policy
PLANNING A TRIP TO GREECE SOON?
Check out these essential guides, travel tips, and more to help you plan your trip:
SANTORINI ATTRACTIONS | Our complete Santorini Guide, The best of Santorini, A complete guide to Oia, Santorini, Exploring the stunning Ammoudi Bay, Our guide to hiking Skaros Rock, How and where to find the best Santorini sunsets, where to stay in Santorini
THE BEST OF NAXOS | Top things to do on Naxos, Where to stay on Naxos Island, Things to do in Chora Town, A guide to the pretty town of Halki, A guide to Plaka Beach, Agios Prokopios,
EXPLORE PAROS | The best things to do on Paros, A guide to Naoussa town, A guide to Lefkes, A short guide to Parikia Paros, Where to stay on Paros
MYKONOS DREAMING | What to see and do on Mykonos
GREECE SAILING | This is what it’s like to sail the Greek Saronic Islands with Medsailors
PHOTOGRAPHY | Love our photography? Wondering what gear we use to get all of our photos around the world? Click here to view our detailed photography gear guide, as well as our top travel photography tips!
RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL | Responsible travel is important. REALLY IMPORTANT. Learn our top responsible travel tips to help you, your family and your friends travel more consciously around the globe
ECO-FRIENDLY PACKING ESSENTIALS | Don’t leave home without our favourite eco-friendly travel essentials
PLAN YOUR GREEK SUMMER WITH OUR USEFUL GUIDES
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That, and you're officially a legend.