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How to get to Santorini

Santorini is one of the most famous and heavenly existence islands in the world! A small in extent island, but rich in tangible goods and authentic beauty. It belongs in the southern part of the Aegean Sea in Greece, one of the graphical and picturesque Cyclades islands. To reach Santorini Island, it is convenient to fly from Athens, the capital of Greece, which is well-connected to the USA, the UK, and Canada by direct flights with several international companies. The three-letter code for Athens International Airport is ATH, while the code for Santorini Airport is JTR.

Santorini is one of the world’s islands whose summer holiday season usually starts at the beginning of March and ends at the beginning of November, due to its stunning natural beauty and rich cultural heritage! For this reason, in the summer period, you can also fly directly to Santorini from various European countries, including Paris, London, Prague, Amsterdam, Milan, Rome, Frankfurt, and Naples via charter flights. However, if these charter flights are not available on your desired travel dates, you may need to fly to Santorini through Athens.

First Time in Santorini: Things to Know before Visiting Learn more

How to get to Santorini from Athens

There are two options to reach Santorini Island from Athens, the capital of Greece. One is by airplane through Athens International Airport "Eleftherios Venizelos" and the other is by ferryboat from Piraeus Port. There are also connections between Santorini and other Greek islands, which gives you the opportunity to visit the island and admire all the must-see stunning places!

Although, the quickest and most direct way is by airplane, taking approximately 40 minutes and tickets can be purchased ahead of time. Nevertheless, this option is more expensive than taking the ferryboat. The National Airport of Santorini is situated in the village of Kamari, only 5 kilometers away from the main Town of Fira. To reach Fira Town from the airport, one can either take a taxi or a bus that departs from the airport station. Furthermore, from the capital, there are connections to other settlements.

From the port of Piraeus in Athens, which is connected to the airport by a bus line, you can take the ferryboat which takes 8 hours, or the High-Speed ferry where the trip lasts about 5 hours and is a little more expensive. The departures are frequent and the journey is enjoyable as the ferries have comfortable areas with TVs, restaurants, and cafes, and decks from where you can relish the Aegean Sea and gaze the breathtaking view of the caldera as you reach Santorini. Athinios is the main port of Santorini and lies approximately 10 kilometers away from Fira. You can always find a bus from the port to the capital or you can take a taxi for a more convenient transfer. Lastly, along with the port, there are car and motorbike rental services.

Santorini's connectivity with other popular islands

Since Santorini is one of the most popular islands in Greece, many ferries are available to connect the island with other islands in Greece.

Commuting between Santorini and Mykonos can be done using daily ferries and speedboats provided by SeaJets. Daily ferries from Heraklion Port by Minoan Lines make it easy to travel to Santorini from Crete as well, and vice versa!

Daily ferries by Blue Star Ferries also help you reach Santorini from Paros or Naxos and the other way around. Moreover, Hellenic Seaways and SeaJets also offer daily ferries with high-speed boats to help you commute between Santorini and Ios.

Blue Star ferries travel between Santorini and Rhodes twice a week. Usually, it is the Blue Star 1 or Blue Star 2 boat that accommodates Santorini visitors. You can also take the weekly ferry ride to travel from Anafi to Santorini or vice versa.

Traveling by ferry to Santorini is always a fun and exciting experience. Generally, the SeaJets, Hellenic Seaways, and Minoan Lines ferries only work in the high season. In the Low season, a Blue Star ferry runs daily to take passengers from Santorini to Athens and vice versa.

While flying is the quickest and most comfortable option, direct flights to Santorini from other Greek islands are not always available. Occasionally, you may find direct flights during the summer season from Mykonos, Rhodes, or Heraklion in Crete to Santorini.

How to transport from the airport to Fira and other parts of Santorini


Hotel Pickup ‒ First of all, you should verify if the hotel of your preference provides a free pickup from the airport. Most hotels will probably charge you for this service but again you ought to consider this option as it constitutes the most convenient and untroubled way for your transfer.

Taxi ‒ The easiest and quickest way to get to Fira or any other settlement from the airport is by taxi. Taxi rates vary according to the season, and are increased during the night, between 01:00 and 05:00. Most of the time it is cheaper than the hotel pickup but remember to ask the taxi driver beforehand. Keep in mind that during the high tourist season, you may have to wait in a long queue and share a taxi with strangers. That’s the reason why hotel pickup remains the most convenient choice. Taxis are available 24/7 outside the arrivals gate at the airport.

Bus ‒ Taking the bus from the airport is definitely the most inexpensive option at any time of the year. There are some other factors that you should consider, though. Santorini has got a good local bus network but the schedules differ from summer to winter. There are frequent itineraries during the high season but the bus service doesn’t run on a regular basis during winter. You can always find the bus schedule outside the airport. Also, notice that if you want to go anywhere rather than the capital Fira, you will have to change buses at Fira as it is the main bus station.

Airport Transfer ‒ For those who do not wish to take a bus or a taxi from the airport, in order to avoid queues, delays, and troubles there are airport transfer services. You can choose between shared minivan and bus rides, and private transfers with a driver. Of course, these high-quality, reliable, and comfortable transfers cost more than the conventional ones. Make sure you find reasonable prices and book in advance.


How to Commute between the Ferry Port and Your Destination in Santorini

If you opt for the ferry, you will anchor at Athinios Port. From that point, it is convenient to go to any village you prefer!

By Bus

Regardless of the time you arrive at Athinios Port, you will find a bus that can take you to Fira Town in approximately 20 minutes. The buses in Santorini are all equipped with air-conditioning, well-maintained, and spacious! However, if your destination is not Fira, you must first go there and then take another bus to reach your desired location. Buses in Fira depart for Athinios Port one hour before a ferryboat leaves.

By Taxi

You will easily find a taxi waiting at the ferry port if you arrive in the daytime. However, you should consider arranging a ride in advance if your arrival is scheduled for the night. You will reach Fira from the port in 10-15 minutes by taxi. Please note that it can be challenging to find a taxi to go to the port. This is why people prefer taking a bus.

Hotel Transfer

You must check if your hotel offers transportation service from the ferry port to the hotel. It might be free or it may cost the same as a taxi or perhaps a bit more than that. Alternatively, you can book a reliable shuttle service with us for highly affordable prices and make the most of your journey!

By Rental Car

You can roam around in a rental car as well. It’s better to take a bus, taxi, or use a hotel transfer service to reach Fira or Oia from the ferry port before taking a rental car.

By Cruise Ships

In case you travel by Santorini cruise, you will be accommodated in a boat to reach the Old Port, which is located right below Fira village.


Getting Around in Santorini

After arriving in Santorini, you have multiple options for getting around on the island and reaching your destination, including using the hotel’s pickup service or taking a taxi, bus, or airport transfer.

Read this guide for more information on how to move around on this beautiful island in Greece!
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