Getting from Santorini to Chios

Chios is the fifth largest island in Greece and one of the most overlooked by international visitors, which works entirely in its favour. It sits just off the Turkish coast in the Northern Aegean, separated from Cesme by a strait so narrow you can see the lights of the Turkish shore at night. The island is famous above all for its mastic trees, which grow in the south of the island around the medieval villages known as the Mastichochoria and produce a resin found nowhere else on earth. The 11th century monastery of Nea Moni is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the finest Byzantine monuments in Greece. The painted village of Pyrgi, with its geometric black and white patterns covering every facade, is extraordinary. Chios deserves far more time than most people give it.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Santorini to Chios. The two islands sit in entirely different parts of the Aegean and are not connected by sea. The Blue Star Ferries route that serves Chios departs from Piraeus and runs through the Northern Aegean, completely separate from the Cyclades network. Getting there by ferry means taking the ferry from Santorini to Piraeus and then boarding the Chios service, which takes around 8 to 10 hours from Piraeus. Flying is the only practical option for most travellers.

What about flying?

Both Santorini and Chios have airports. The journey goes Santorini to Athens and then Athens to Chios, with total travel time around 4 to 5 hours door to door. It is worth knowing that in Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights. Almost all island to island travel goes through Athens.

Your best option

Fly via Athens. It is the only realistic choice and the connection is easy. Chios Airport is close to the town and you are in the centre within minutes of landing.