Getting from Santorini to Schinoussa

Schinoussa is one of the Small Cyclades and one of the most rewarding islands in the group for people who want somewhere genuinely quiet and beautiful without any pretension. It sits between Naxos and Amorgos, a small island of low hills, olive trees and more than 18 beaches scattered around a coastline that you can walk across in an afternoon. The main village of Chora is tiny and whitewashed and the pace of life is exactly what you come to the Small Cyclades to find. The ferry connections keep it just accessible enough without overwhelming it, which is the balance that makes these islands work.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Santorini to Schinoussa but the connection via Naxos is straightforward. Take one of the frequent daily ferries from Santorini to Naxos, which takes between 1 and 2.5 hours, and then connect onto either Blue Star Ferries or the Express Skopelitis, the small legendary ferry that has been threading through the Small Cyclades since 1956. The crossing from Naxos to Schinoussa takes around 1 hour 20 minutes on Blue Star or 1 hour 50 minutes on the Skopelitis. There are also 3 direct ferries per week from Piraeus to Schinoussa but connecting via Naxos from Santorini is faster and more flexible.

What about flying?

Schinoussa has no airport. The nearest airport is Naxos, which has domestic connections from Athens, but there are no direct flights from Santorini to Naxos. The ferry via Naxos is the practical choice on this route.

Your best option

Take the ferry from Santorini to Naxos and connect to Schinoussa from there. Check the Naxos to Schinoussa schedule on Ferryhopper before you travel and time your arrival in Naxos around the afternoon departure. Give yourself at least two nights on Schinoussa and come with everything you need.