Getting from Tilos to Santorini

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

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Tilos to Santorini. Getting there by sea means taking the ferry from Tilos to Piraeus, which runs via Rhodes and takes around 15 to 18 hours, and then boarding the Piraeus to Santorini ferry, which runs up to 9 daily departures in summer and takes around 5 to 9 hours. Flying is considerably more practical for most travelers.

Getting there by air

Santorini has an international airport with daily connections from Athens. Tilos has no airport. The nearest airport is Rhodes. Taking the ferry from Tilos to Rhodes, flying from Rhodes to Athens and then Athens to Santorini takes around 45 to 55 minutes on the second leg. Total journey time is around 5 to 6 hours. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Your best option

Take the ferry from Tilos to Rhodes and fly from Rhodes to Athens, then fly from Athens to Santorini. It is the fastest and most practical approach. Check the Tilos to Rhodes schedule before booking as departure days and times vary by season. 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. If you are traveling with a car, take the ferry from Tilos to Piraeus and board the conventional Piraeus to Santorini ferry, which takes your vehicle directly to Athinios port.