Getting from Santorini to Mykonos

If you are heading to Mykonos from Santorini you are making the most popular island hop in Greece and one of the easiest. The two islands anchor the Cyclades at opposite ends of the visitor experience, Santorini for the caldera and the sunsets, Mykonos for the beaches and the nightlife, and the ferry between them is one of the most heavily travelled routes in the Aegean. Mykonos town is genuinely beautiful beyond its reputation, a maze of whitewashed lanes built to confuse pirates that does an equally good job of confusing visitors, which is part of the pleasure. The beaches on the south coast are long and well-organised. The windmills above the town are the landmark. The island rewards an early morning before the crowds arrive.

Take the ferry

The Santorini to Mykonos ferry is one of the best-served routes in the Cyclades. Seajets, Golden Star Ferries and Fast Ferries all operate the crossing from March to November with up to 8 daily departures in peak summer. The fastest Seajets catamaran covers the 65 nautical miles in around 1 hour 50 minutes. Golden Star Ferries takes around 3 hours 20 minutes. Most sailings make one or two stops along the way at Naxos or Paros, which adds some time but makes for a good crossing. Note that ferries arrive at Mykonos New Port at Tourlos, around 2 kilometres from the town centre. Book ahead in July and August as this route fills up fast.

What about flying?

Both Santorini and Mykonos have airports. There are no direct flights between the two islands. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights. The ferry is the obvious and overwhelmingly better choice on this route.

Your best option

Take the ferry. It is one of the great island hops in the Cyclades and the crossing is a pleasure. Book in advance in summer, pick the Seajets fast service if time matters, or take a slower Golden Star crossing if you want more deck time. Check the schedule on Ferryhopper.