Getting from Thessaloniki to Santorini

If you are heading to Santorini from Thessaloniki you are making your way from the second largest city in Greece to the most iconic island in Greece, on the opposite side of the country. It has caldera views, volcanic beaches and the ancient Minoan site of Akrotiri preserved under volcanic ash.

Getting there by air

Santorini has an international airport with daily connections from Athens and seasonal direct flights from Thessaloniki on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays in summer. When the direct service is running the flight takes around 1 hour making it one of the most convenient connections from Thessaloniki to any Cycladic island. Check the schedule carefully as direct flights are seasonal. Alternatively fly from Thessaloniki to Athens and then Athens to Santorini.

Take the train, bus or drive

Thessaloniki is connected to Athens by train, taking around 4 to 5 hours, and by KTEL bus, taking around 5 to 6 hours. From Athens the Piraeus to Santorini ferry runs up to 9 daily departures in summer and takes around 5 to 9 hours. The drive from Thessaloniki to Piraeus takes around 5 to 6 hours via the E75 motorway. All three options suit travelers with a car as the conventional ferry takes vehicles directly to Athinios port.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Thessaloniki to Santorini. Getting there means traveling to Piraeus for the ferry to Santorini.

Your best option

Fly directly from Thessaloniki to Santorini when the seasonal service is running on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. It is the fastest and most practical approach. When direct flights are not available, fly from Thessaloniki to Athens and then Athens to Santorini. Book ahead in July and August as both flight and ferry spaces fill up fast. The arrival into the caldera by sea is one of the great island arrivals in Greece so if time allows the Piraeus to Santorini ferry is a rewarding alternative.