Getting from Athens to Santorini

If you are heading to Santorini from Athens you are going to the most iconic island in Greece and one of the most visited destinations in the Mediterranean. The caldera views from Oia and Fira are as extraordinary as every photograph suggests. The volcanic beaches at Perissa and Kamari are unlike anything else in the Cyclades. The ancient site of Akrotiri, a Minoan city preserved under volcanic ash, is one of the finest archaeological sites in Greece. The island handles its enormous visitor numbers better than you might expect and still has quiet corners, particularly in the villages of the interior and the southern end of the island around Emporio and Pyrgos.

Take the ferry

The Piraeus to Santorini ferry is one of the most popular routes in Greece, with up to 8 daily crossings in summer. Fast catamarans cover the distance in around 5 hours. Conventional ferries take around 8 to 9 hours and the overnight crossing, departing Piraeus in the evening and arriving at Santorini in the early morning, is a classic Greek island experience. Ferries also run from Rafina in summer, which is closer to Athens Airport and useful if you are connecting directly. Book well ahead in July and August as this is one of the most heavily booked routes in the Aegean.

Getting there by air

Both Athens and Santorini have airports. Multiple daily flights connect the two with the journey taking around 45 minutes. Flying is the fastest option and the most practical if you are short on time. The airport is small and gets very busy in summer so allow extra time.

Your best option

It depends on what you want from the journey. The overnight ferry from Piraeus, standing on deck as the caldera comes into view at sunrise, is one of the great arrivals in Greek travel and worth doing at least once. If time is short, fly. Either way book ahead as both ferry and flight fill up fast in summer.