Getting from Volos to Santorini

If you are heading to Santorini from Volos you are making your way from a city on the Pagasetic Gulf at the foot of the Pelion peninsula 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 Volos to Santorini. Volos is the main departure point for the Sporades group and has no connection to the Cyclades ferry network. Getting there by sea means driving from Volos to Piraeus, which takes around 3 to 3.5 hours via the E75 motorway, and then boarding the Piraeus to Santorini ferry, which runs up to 9 daily departures in summer and takes around 5 to 9 hours depending on the vessel.

Getting there by air

Santorini has an international airport with daily connections from Athens. Volos has a small airport at Nea Anchialos with limited connections from Athens. Driving from Volos to Athens and flying from Athens to Santorini takes around 45 to 55 minutes on the second leg. Total journey time is around 4 to 5 hours. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Your best option

Drive from Volos to Athens and fly from Athens to Santorini. It is the fastest and most practical approach. Book ahead in July and August as Santorini flight spaces fill up fast. If you are traveling with a car, drive to Piraeus for the conventional Piraeus to Santorini ferry, which takes your vehicle directly to Athinios port. The arrival into the caldera by sea is one of the great island arrivals in Greece.