Santorini is one of Greece’s most popular islands, attracting visitors from all over the world. Although it has direct flights from several European capitals, many travellers arrive via Athens, either as part of a Greek island-hopping itinerary or during a stopover in the Greek capital.
There are two main ways to get from Athens to Santorini: by plane, departing from Eleftherios Venizelos Airport, or by ferry, leaving from the Port of Piraeus. Some ferries also operate from the Port of Rafina.
How to Get from Athens to Santorini
1. Flying: The Best Way to Get from Athens to Santorini
If you’re short on time, flying is by far the most convenient way to reach Santorini. It’s quick, comfortable and well worth the extra cost compared with travelling by ferry, particularly if you want to make the most of your time on the island.
Arriving on an early morning flight and leaving on an afternoon flight can help you make the most of a short stay of two or three days. For ideas on how to spend that time, take a look at this guide to the best things to do in Santorini.
Direct flights operate frequently between Athens and Santorini, especially during the summer months, when services can run at least once an hour, from early morning until late evening.
The flight takes around 45–55 minutes, landing at Santorini Airport (JTR), a small airport located just 5 kilometres from Fira, the island’s capital.
Airfares tend to be very affordable in winter, but prices can climb considerably during the summer. As a general guide, expect to pay between €35 and €150 for a ticket.
During peak season, fares can be even higher if you leave booking until the last minute. To keep costs down, compare prices and book ahead to find the best flight deals.
1.1 Getting from Central Athens to the Airport
If you’re staying in Athens before flying to Santorini, you have several options for reaching the airport. The best choice will depend on your budget, where you’re staying and how much time you have.
Metro: Line 3 runs from central Athens to the airport in approximately 40 minutes. You can board at central stations such as Monastiraki or Syntagma. A ticket costs €9.
Express bus: The X95 departs from Syntagma Square and takes around 60 minutes to reach the airport. It’s a convenient alternative to the metro, with tickets costing €5.50.
Taxi: A taxi from your accommodation to the airport generally takes 35–40 minutes, depending on traffic. The quoted fares are €50 during the day (5 am to midnight) and €65 at night (midnight to 5 am).
Private transfer: If you prefer a door-to-door service, you can arrange a private vehicle to collect you from your accommodation. Check the available options and book here.
1.2 Getting from Santorini Airport to Your Accommodation
Once you land in Santorini, you have several ways to reach your hotel or holiday rental. The best option will depend on where you are staying; if you have not chosen your base yet, my guide to where to stay in Santorini can help you decide before arranging your transfer.
Bus: Public buses connect Santorini Airport with Fira, with a journey time of around 10–15 minutes. A ticket costs just €2.20.
If you’re staying elsewhere on the island, you can change buses at Fira to reach your destination. The capital serves as the main transport hub, with connections to Santorini’s other main villages. For routes and further information, visit the official Santorini Public Buses website.
Taxi: Taxis operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, but they’re considerably more expensive than the bus, even over short distances. A journey to Fira takes around 5–7 minutes and can cost €25–30, while a taxi to Oia or Akrotiri should cost no more than approximately €40. Although taxis are required to use a meter, fixed fares by destination are common. Confirm the final price and whether it includes all supplements with the driver before setting off.
One thing to bear in mind is that taxis are limited in number, and demand rises sharply during the summer. You may find yourself waiting in a long queue before you can get one, particularly when several flights arrive around the same time.
Private transfer: If you’d rather avoid the queues and travel straight to your accommodation, a private transfer is a convenient alternative. Check whether your hotel offers its own service and compare the price with other providers before booking.
>>> Book your private transfer here <<<
Car rental: If you want the freedom to explore beyond your resort, renting a car is an excellent option. You can drive straight from the airport to your accommodation and then discover the island at your own pace, without relying on bus timetables or waiting for taxis. It’s well worth considering if you plan to visit several parts of Santorini.
2. Taking the Ferry: The Most Budget-Friendly Way to Get from Athens to Santorini
Travelling by ferry is well worth considering if you’re heading from Athens to Santorini, particularly in summer, when airfares can skyrocket and finding a seat on your preferred flight isn’t always easy.
Winter is a different story. With cheaper flights available, taking the ferry becomes a less attractive option. Rough seas can also make the crossing uncomfortable and, in some cases, lead to cancellations.
During the summer tourist season, ferries run frequently throughout the day, giving you plenty of departure times to choose from.
Several types of vessels operate on this route, including conventional and high-speed ferries. Depending on the vessel, the crossing takes from just under 5 hours to around 12 hours.
Companies serving the route include Blue Star Ferries, Seajet, Golden Star Ferries and Aegeon Pelagos. I particularly recommend Blue Star Ferries: its conventional ferry takes around 8 hours, offers convenient departure times and a comfortable crossing, and lets you enjoy the approach to Santorini from an outdoor deck.
Fares typically range from €50 to €120, depending on the type of ferry and whether you choose a direct service. To compare routes, departure times and prices, check Ferryhopper, a handy platform for booking ferry tickets.
The crossing is a pleasant experience, with comfortable, well-equipped ferries and lovely views across the Aegean Sea. The highlight comes as you approach Santorini, when the island’s dramatic volcanic landscape opens up before you, offering spectacular views of the Caldera.
Seeing Santorini from the water is an experience in itself, so I’d also recommend booking a boat trip around the Caldera. You can arrange one through a travel agency, ask your hotel about available excursions or book online.
Ferries depart from the Port of Piraeus, although some services leave from the Port of Rafina, and arrive at Athinios Port, Santorini’s main ferry terminal, around 10 km from Fira.
Once you arrive at Athinios, you can continue to your accommodation by bus or taxi.
2.1 Getting to the Port of Piraeus from Central Athens
If you’re travelling to Santorini by ferry, you’ll first need to make your way to the Port of Piraeus, Athens’ main passenger port and a major gateway to the Greek islands. Here are the main ways to get there:
- Metro: Line 3 takes you directly to the Port of Piraeus without changing trains, with a quoted fare of 1,20€ (€9 from the airport). Once you arrive, check which terminal or boarding area your ferry departs from, as services leave from different parts of the port.
- Express bus: If you’re heading straight to the port from Athens Airport, the X96 bus is a convenient option. It runs directly between the airport and Piraeus, so there’s no need to travel through the city centre. The journey takes approximately 80 minutes, and the quoted fare is €5.50.
- Taxi: A taxi from central Athens to Piraeus takes around 30 minutes, with an estimated fare of €25. From the airport, expect to pay approximately €55–60 during the day or €70–75 at night.
2.2 Getting from Santorini Port (Athinios) to Your Accommodation
After arriving at Athinios Port, you have several options for reaching your hotel or holiday rental.
- Bus: Bus services are timed to coincide with ferry arrivals, so you should find a service available shortly after disembarking. Buses take you to Fira bus station, where you can connect to other routes serving the island’s main villages. The journey takes around 20 minutes, and the fare is €2.70.
- Taxi: A taxi is considerably more expensive than the bus, costing around €30–35 to Fira and €40–45 to Oia. The journey to Fira takes around 10–15 minutes. As at the airport, finding an available taxi can be difficult during the busiest summer months, when demand is particularly high. I recommend taking the bus or arranging your transfer in advance.
- Private transfer: If you’d prefer a hassle-free journey straight to your accommodation, a private transfer is another option. Check whether your hotel offers a pickup service or book online in advance.
>>> Book your private transfer from Athinios Port <<<
- Car rental: Just as at the airport, you’ll find several motorbike and car rental offices at the port. Renting a vehicle can be a convenient way to get to your accommodation and explore the island independently.