Getting from Santorini to Athens

Athens is the natural hub around which almost every trip to Greece is organised, and the journey from Santorini is one of the most travelled routes in the country. The city has more than most people expect. The Acropolis and the Archaeological Museum are obvious priorities, but the neighbourhoods of Monastiraki, Psiri and Exarchia have food, bars and street life that stand up against any European capital. The National Garden, the covered market at Varvakios, the view from Lycabettus Hill in the evening and the fish tavernas along the coast at Piraeus are all worth your time. Most people treat Athens as a transit point and leave wishing they had stayed longer.

Take the ferry

The Santorini to Piraeus ferry is one of the most heavily used routes in Greece. Blue Star Ferries, Seajets and Fast Ferries all serve it year-round with up to 9 daily crossings in summer. The fastest Seajets catamarans take around 5 hours. Blue Star conventional ferries take around 7 to 8 hours but are more comfortable, more stable in rough weather and considerably more enjoyable as an experience. If you have time, the overnight Blue Star crossing, watching the islands pass and arriving into Piraeus in the morning, is one of the better ways to end an island trip. From Piraeus, the metro takes around 20 minutes to central Athens. Book ahead in July and August.

What about flying?

Santorini has an airport with daily flights to Athens, with the flight taking around 45 minutes. Total door to door time including airport transfers is around 3 to 3.5 hours. Aegean Airlines, Olympic Air and Sky Express all serve the route. Flying is the faster option if time is short, though it does not feel like an ending to an island trip the way the ferry does.

Your best option

It depends on what you want from the journey. If you have time, take the ferry. Arriving into Piraeus from Santorini on a Blue Star, standing on deck as the port comes into view, is a proper end to an island trip. If you are short on time or have a flight to catch, fly. Either way, give Athens at least a night before you leave Greece.