Santorini has its own airport (Thira, code JTR) with direct flights from Athens and, in summer, a wide range of seasonal routes from other European cities. It's also one of the best-connected islands in the Cyclades by ferry, with regular sailings from Piraeus, the main port of Athens.
By air
The flight from Athens takes around 45 minutes and runs multiple times a day year-round, more frequently in summer. It's the fastest option by a wide margin and the obvious choice if you're short on time or connecting from an international flight into Athens. In peak season, direct seasonal flights also link Santorini with a number of other European cities, which can save a mainland stopover entirely.
By ferry from Piraeus
The classic route. Conventional ferries take roughly 7–9 hours, while high-speed catamarans cut that to around 5 hours, weather depending. Sailings run year-round but are far more frequent from May to September, when multiple departures a day are common; in winter it can drop to one or two sailings, and rough weather occasionally causes cancellations or delays.
The ferry is slower and, on the high-speed boats, not necessarily cheaper than flying — but it's a genuinely scenic way to arrive, sailing past other Cycladic islands before Santorini's caldera cliffs come into view. It also makes island-hopping simple, since Santorini sits on the same routes as Ios, Naxos, Paros and Mykonos.
Which should you choose?
- Flying into Athens from abroad, tight on time: fly onward — it's fast and there are many daily options.
- Already island-hopping, or want the scenery: take the ferry, ideally a daytime sailing.
- Travelling in winter: check schedules close to your date either way — both flight frequency and ferry sailings drop significantly, and ferries can be weather-dependent.
Arriving at the port or airport
Santorini's port (Athinios) and airport both sit some distance from Fira and even further from Oia. Local buses meet most ferries and flights, and taxis are available but limited in number — if you've booked a caldera-view hotel, ask in advance whether they offer a transfer, since taxi queues at the port in peak season can be long.
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