Getting from Santorini to Kea

Kea is the closest Cycladic island to Athens and one of the most overlooked in the group, which is remarkable given how good it is. It sits at the western edge of the Cyclades, 35 kilometres from the port of Lavrio on the Attica coast, and has a character shaped by its proximity to the capital. The permanent residents are a mix of locals and Athenians who have been coming here for generations. The Chora is built in the Cycladic style but quieter and less visited than almost anywhere else in the group. The ancient stone lion carved into the hillside above the town is one of the strangest and most compelling ancient monuments in the islands. The beaches are good, the food is excellent and the island remains genuinely unhurried.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Santorini to Kea. Kea is primarily served from Lavrio, the port closest to Athens Airport, with up to 7 daily crossings taking around 40 minutes to 1 hour. A once-weekly connection from Santorini to Kea exists via the Blue Star Ferries Santorini route but the frequency makes it impractical as a direct connection for most travellers. The most reliable approach is to take the ferry from Santorini to Piraeus and then travel to Lavrio for the short Kea crossing. Lavrio is around 35 kilometres from Piraeus and closer to Athens Airport than the city centre.

What about flying?

Kea has no airport. The nearest airport is Athens. Flying from Santorini to Athens and then travelling to Lavrio for the ferry is the fastest overall approach, with total travel time around 3 to 4 hours. 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 to Athens and take the ferry from Lavrio to Kea. If you are arriving at Athens Airport, Lavrio is the most convenient port as it is only around 35 kilometres from the terminal and avoids crossing the city to Piraeus entirely.