Ferry or flight from Athens — and how to reach your hotel without getting caught out. The honest local breakdown.
Getting to Santorini is easier than most people expect — you just need to know your options. There are two ways to reach the island from Athens: the ferry or a flight. Each suits a different kind of traveler. Here's the honest local breakdown, plus how to get from the port or airport to your hotel without getting caught out.
Ferries leave from Piraeus, the main port of Athens, and arrive at Athinios port on Santorini. Two types to choose from, and the choice matters.
This is where visitors get caught out. Sort your onward journey before you arrive.
Prefer to arrive without the stress? Pre-book a transfer:
Ferry or flight both work — ferry if you want the scenic, cheaper journey (Blue Star for comfort, Seajets for speed), flight if you'd rather save the day for €40 and 40 minutes. However you arrive, sort your onward journey before you land: pre-book a transfer to skip the taxi scramble, or take the €2 bus via Fira if you're travelling light and on a budget. Get that part sorted in advance and your Santorini trip starts smoothly instead of stressfully.
You can take a ferry from Piraeus (5–8 hours) or fly from Athens airport (40 minutes). Flying is fastest and often cheap; the ferry is more scenic. Blue Star ferries are cheaper and more comfortable, Seajets are faster but pricier.
High-speed Seajets ferries take about 5 hours. Conventional Blue Star ferries take around 7–8 hours but are more comfortable and stable, especially in windy conditions.
About 40 minutes. Sky Express is usually the cheaper airline and Aegean is more comfortable. Booking early gets the best fares.
Taxis exist but are few and demand is high, with some scammers. A pre-booked private transfer is the most convenient. The cheapest option is the public bus (around €2), which runs via the main bus station in Fira before continuing to the villages.