How to Get to Santorini

By air

Santorini's own airport (JTR) has frequent flights from Athens, generally 45 to 55 minutes in the air, along with seasonal direct connections from several other European cities. Fares vary enormously by airline and how far ahead you book, so it's worth comparing rather than assuming one carrier is consistently cheapest.

By ferry

Ferries from Athens' port of Piraeus to Santorini's Athinios port take anywhere from about 5 hours on a high-speed ferry to 7-8 hours on a slower conventional one, at a noticeably lower price than flying. This is also how most people combine Santorini with other Cycladic islands like Paros, Naxos, or Mykonos on the same trip.

Flying versus the ferry

Flying wins on time, the ferry wins on cost and on flexibility if you're island-hopping rather than making Santorini a single standalone stop. Rough seas can also delay or cancel ferry sailings, which is worth factoring in if your onward travel plans are tight.

Getting from the airport or port to your hotel

Both the airport and Athinios port sit some distance from Fira and Oia, and taxis, pre-arranged transfers, or local buses cover the rest — many hotels, especially in Oia, can arrange pickup directly.

Combining Santorini with other islands

High-speed ferries connect Santorini directly to Paros, Naxos, and Mykonos, making island-hopping straightforward for travelers who don't want to fly back through Athens between stops.

Cruise ship arrivals

Many cruise ships anchor offshore and tender passengers into Fira's old port, which is worth knowing if you're independently visiting during a period when several ships are in port — Fira's streets can get noticeably more crowded for a few hours at a time.

Renting a car on arrival

Rental agencies operate at both the airport and in Fira, and booking ahead in peak season secures better rates and guarantees availability, since local supply can run short in July and August.

Taxi availability

Santorini has a genuinely limited taxi fleet relative to its tourist numbers, and waits can run long in peak season — pre-arranging a transfer through your hotel is more reliable than expecting to hail one on arrival.