How to Get from Athens to Santorini: ferry or plane

Updated: 2 October, 2024

All the alternatives on how to get from Athens to Santorini with prices, the time it takes, departure location and all the details.

The trip from Athens to Santorini is one of the most popular in Greece and it is not surprising, Santorini is the most beautiful Greek island.

The romantic island of Thera Thira, which is the official name of the island, is famous for its spectacular sunsets from Oia, the half-moon shape of the island that hugs the caldera where the volcano is still active, and its unique beaches.

Nor should we forget the architecture of the Cyclades islands, with the typical little houses painted white and with blue domes which in Santorini are located at the top of the cliff, and make the island even more picturesque.

In this article I tell you how to get from Athens to Santorini by ferry or plane with all the details and everything based on my experience living in the Greek islands, including Santorini.

1. Athens Santorini Plane

From Athens to Santorini by plane, it is the fastest way to go and during the summer (June to September) there are more than 20 flights daily so you can choose the one that best suits you.

The distance from Athens to Santorini by plane is 218 km and is It takes between 45 minutes and 1 hour.

One of the best things about Santorini being so popular is that there are several low cost airlines that operate with flights from Athens to Santorini.

These are all the airlines that reach the island, where only Aegean is not low cost:

• Ryanair
• Volotea
• Sky Express
• Aegean Airlines

The plane tickets to Santorini cost from 40 euros the journey.

Of course, if you are going to travel in summer you have to book in advance, otherwise the price can go up quite a bit and It can cost more than 250 euros.

In addition, you have to keep in mind that low-cost airlines and Aegean in their cheapest fares They do not offer the possibility of checking luggage and you will have to pay it separately.

If you have little time to dedicate to this beautiful island, the plane to Santorini It is the best option, it is fast and can be very cheap.

Where to buy plane tickets?

To travel around the Greek islands and Greece, this is the best website for buy plane tickets, which allows you to compare schedules, prices and book.

How to get from Athens to the airport?

• Meter: The fastest and cheapest way is with Metro line 3, which runs every half hour between 6:30 and 23:30, taking 45 minutes. The ticket costs 9 euros each way.
• Taxi: It is a comfortable option and also the most expensive, with prices between 40 and 55 euros depending on the time.
• Transfer: It is the most practical option, because they wait for you with your name and it is very worthwhile if you travel with more people. Reserve here transfer from Athens to the airport.

How to get from Santorini airport to other points on the island?

• By Bus: It is the cheapest way, the trip costs 1.60 euros to Fira, there is a bus every hour and it takes 10 minutes. If you are going to stay in another town on the island, from Fira you will need to take another bus.
• Taxi: a comfortable way that will cost you from about 20 euros the trip to Fira and about 30/35 euros to Oia.
• Transfer: If you do not have the option of going with a transfer, it is convenient and cheaper than the taxi. Reserve here Transfer from or to Santorini airport.

👍 Fact: Santorini has direct international flights to and from Spain, you can read more in this article about How to go to the Greek islands and move between them?

2. Athens Santorini Ferry

Another alternative is to go from Athens to Santorini by ferry, although the trip is much longer. But it is also a more relaxed experience than traveling by plane and it has its romantic side.

The ferry from Athens to Santorini takes between 4:40 and 8:50 hours depending on the type of boat.

The smaller catamaran-shaped boats are the ones that go above the water and go faster. Then the big ships take longer, there is even one that takes more than 11 hours.

📢 Important: If you suffer from seasickness, keep in mind that the fast ferry moves more and outside of the high season, it is even worse because of the waves. Consider taking a seasickness medicine and sit in the center of the boat which is more stable.

In summer there are several daily departures, mostly in the morning, at least those that take less time. On the other hand, out of high season departures are greatly reduced and there are not every day.

Some Greek islands don't even have ferry arrivals in winter, but because Santorini is so popular, there are ferries all year round.

How much does the ferry from Athens to Santorini cost?

The price of the ferry from Athens to Santorini goes between 58 and 90 euros per journey and per person in the cheapest seating classes, if you buy it in advance.

Some cruise lines have business and VIP seats, and many ships have cabins.

For example, him slowest boat that costs 58 euros, if you reserve the cabin will cost you from about 90 euros, it can still be cheaper than the plane in high season.

This option is very good if you have gone out partying the night before, you rest on the boat and when you arrive in Santorini you will be fresh as a flower. ✌😄

Then, another advantage of the boat from Athens to Santorini is that you can take the car, motorcycle or bicycle.

Prices vary depending on the ferry company, but are usually about 60 additional euros.

How to book the ferry?

The tickets from Athens to Santorini by ferry You can reserve them on this website, where you can compare the schedules, how long they take and the prices.

It is the best search engine for all boats and will help you for other ferries between the islands, for example if you want go from Santorini to Mykonos.

The prices of ferry tickets are usually cheaper if you buy them in advance, at least 2 weeks before.

But if your trip is in summer, consider buying them even earlier, because the price can be much higher.

Once you buy the ticket, they will send you the electronic ticket that does not need to be printed, you simply show it from your mobile.

👉 Reserve here ferry tickets from Athens to Santorini

How long do you have to stay before the ferry leaves?

For the ferry from Athens to Santorini and vice versa, It is advisable to be there 60 minutes before the departure of the ship.

If you are going to drive to the port or go by road transport in Athens, you will need to leave early, especially during peak hours when you may encounter traffic jams.

In Santorini, don't be fooled by the short distance that separates Fira from the port.

The last stretch of The winding road that reaches the port is usually full of cars and buses that get off at the same time For boats, make sure you leave early.

Where do you take the ferries in Athens?

The boat to Santorini can depart from Piraeus which is the main port of Greece and is next to Athens, or else from Rafina which is another town east of Athens.

The ferries from Piraeus to Santorini are the ones with the longest schedules, and this port is better connected to the Greek capital.

How much luggage can I take on the boat?

Boats in Greece They are very flexible when it comes to luggage and you will have no problems carrying the suitcases you want.

On your trip from Athens to Santorini by boat, your suitcases will not be weighed or measured. Normally, you will find an area at the bottom where you can leave them.

If you have something valuable, it is best to carry it in your handbag or backpack.

How to get to the ports of Athens?

• Piraeus: The cheapest is with the metro which costs 1.5 euros, otherwise the taxi will cost you about 25 euros. The most practical alternative, especially if you are carrying large suitcases, is with a transfer.
• Rafina: There is a bus approximately every 50 minutes that costs 2.4 euros. If you prefer a taxi, the price starts at 40 euros or if you cannot hire a transfer to the port, which is the most practical.

Where does the ferry drop you off in Santorini?

The ferry to Santorini docks in the port of Athinios, which is south of Fira.

Santorini has another smaller port, which is the Old Port, it is just below Fira, but only the boats for tours around the caldera and near the island leave from there.

How to get from the port of Santorini to other places on the island?

• By Bus: There is a bus that has schedules coordinated with the arrival of the ferries and operates mainly in high season, costs 2.3 euros and takes about 25 minutes to Fira. If your hotel is in another town on the island, from Fira you will need to take another bus.
• Taxi: the price of a taxi to Fira is from about 25 euros and to Oia from 40 euros.
• Transfer: the most practical and comfortable way is with a transfer in Santorini like this one from the link, which will be waiting for you and will take you to the hotel. Plus, it only costs 14 euros!

3. Santorini getaway from Athens

If you want to go to Santorini, have little time and not worry about anything, this 2-day Santorini getaway from the link is perfect for you.

It includes transfers in Athens and Santorini, the ferry and the hotel with breakfast. In addition, it makes a stop at the famous island of Mykonos.

4. Cruise through the Greek Islands

Finally, the most relaxed and comfortable alternative is to do a Greek Islands cruise.

Cruises usually make several stops, including Athens, several islands and some Italy or Turkey.

The most interesting thing is that you don't have to worry about accommodation, food or entertainment, it's all included.

👍 Friend's tip: the more flexibility of dates and if you book in advance you will have more chances of getting good prices. To avoid overcrowding, take the cruise outside of the high season.

👉 Here you can see the best offers on cruises through the Greek Islands, with prices, dates and making the reservation.

Map of airports and ports

* To check the legend for each place, click the button in the top left corner of the map. To view this map on your phone or computer, tap the star on the right side of the title. Then go to Google Maps, select "Your Places" and "Maps" from the menu.

Conclusion: How is it best to get from Athens to Santorini?

The best way to get from Athens to Santorini will depend on many things, from the time of travel, whether you have a car, a large suitcase, how much time you book in advance and your preferences.

Below I give you a summary according to each circumstance:

• Speed: flight, although you have to add the time to go to the airport and the time to be there before, they are similar times to what you will need with the ferry, which is why in the end the plane is faster.
• With a car: ferry, needless to say, is the only way to take a car.
• large suitcases: ferry, they will not charge you extra for suitcases.
• High season: ferry, plane prices tend to skyrocket during the summer, whatever the case, book in advance to avoid surprises, so you will have time to compare ticket prices and see which one is best for you.

👉 Reserve here plane tickets to Santorini or in this other one ferry tickets from Athens to Santorini.

Below I leave you a video of Santorini filmed with a drone. 😍

👍 If you want to buy a drone to film your vacation, I recommend this one, which is light, has excellent image quality and is well priced, for some reason, is the most popular at the moment.

Final Thoughts

These are the ways of how to get from Athens to Santorini, so you can enjoy this wonderful island.

If you have any questions, leave me a comment below and I'll help you as much as I can. If you found the article useful, share it with other travelers. Have a good trip! 😘

More about the Greek Islands and Greece

• When to Travel to the Greek islands.
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• 32 Surprising Facts About Greece