So you’ve climbed the Acropolis and wandered around the ancient streets of Plaka and Monastiraki. Now, it’s time for something else. You’re ready for Santorini, for those wide blue skies and striking white walls. You’ve got two ways to get there: by plane or by ferry.
As you can probably guess, flying is the fastest way to get there. Ferries take a little longer, but there’s something magical about taking a boat ride.
Which is the right choice for you? Let’s find out.
Importance of Choosing the Right Mode
Choosing the right transportation between Athens and Santorini is, in part, a matter of cost and time. But it’s also about the vibe and how you’ll feel when you touch down in the Cycladic paradise.
If you want to hit the ground running, drop your bags, grab your swimsuit, and be sitting by the pool as fast as possible, flying could be the right decision. This can save up to eight hours of precious time.
But if you want to take the scenic route and turn the travel into a Greek experience in itself, opt for the ferry. So, before you decide on how to get to Santorini from Athens, you need all the details.
Traveling by Plane
Flying is the fastest way to reach Santorini from Athens, and it suits travellers who want to land and go.
Flight Duration and Costs
Most flights from Athens to Santorini take around 40 minutes. That’s gate-to-gate, so it doesn’t count airport transfers. In peak season, planes run all day, often hourly. Expect to pay anywhere from €30 to €150 for a one-way fare, depending on when you book and who you fly with. Aegean Airlines, Ryanair, Volotea and SKY Express all run regular routes.
How to Book Flights
Book direct through the airline for better customer service if plans change. Use flight comparison tools like Google Flights or Kayak to check prices, then go straight to the source to lock it in. If you’re travelling June through September, try to book weeks (if not months) in advance.
Traveling by Ferry
Ferries are slower than planes but give you a very different kind of arrival.
Types of Ferries Available
You’ve got two main types: high-speed and conventional.
- High-speed ferries take around 4 and a half to 5 hours and cost a little more.
- Conventional ferries take 7 to 8 hours but are cheaper and more stable in rough water.
Operators like Seajets and Golden Star Ferries operate routes daily from Piraeus and Rafina. If you’re prone to motion sickness, go with a larger, slower vessel. If you’re on a time crunch, book the earliest fast ferry and enjoy the ride.
How to Book Ferry Tickets?
Use Ferryhopper or direct ferry company websites to compare routes and prices. Ferryhopper is user-friendly and shows live availability across all major carriers.
Book in advance, though, especially in summer or if you need a car ticket. And finally, choose your port carefully: Piraeus is closer to central Athens, while Rafina may be faster if you’re heading there straight from the airport.
Comparing Travel Options
Your transport decision shapes your first memory of the island. Let’s weigh the pros and cons.
Flight vs Ferry: Pros and Cons
Flying gets you there fast.
Most flights take about 50 minutes. You will need to add time for airport transfers and check-in. Still, if you’re on a tight schedule or just want to maximise time on the island, this is the way to go.
But flying comes with airport time and security lines. There’s also the possibility of delays.
Ferries take longer but deliver atmosphere.
When you sit back and relax on a ferry, you watch the city fade and feel the wind change. You can walk around, sit outside, and stretch out your legs. It’s slower, but part of the experience. And it’s usually much cheaper.
The downside? Sea conditions can cause delays. Fast ferries can feel bumpy too, and the total travel time adds up if you’re connecting from the airport or coming from central Athens during traffic hours.
Travel Time Considerations
If your goal is more time on the island—feet in the sand, a glass of wine near the pool—then flying has its advantages. You’ll spend less of your day getting there and more of it actually being there.
But if you’re not in a rush, the ferry is an incredible experience. You swap a packed airport terminal for fresh air and Aegean views. You start to unwind before you even arrive.
Think about what you value most. Is it getting to your destination as soon as possible? Or saving money? Or enjoying a unique experience?
Getting to Ports and Airports
Before you can wind down in Santorini, you’ve got to reach the plane or ferry that takes you there. Athens has solid transport options. Here’s what you need to know.
How to Get to Athens International Airport?
The Athens International Airport is about 30–40 minutes from the city centre by road. Luckily, you’ve got options, and most of them are easy.
By Metro
The Metro’s Line 3 (blue) runs straight to the airport. Trains leave every 30 minutes daily, between 6:30 a.m. and 11:30 p.m. The ride takes about 40 minutes. It’s €10 for a single ticket or €18 for a round trip. It’s fast, reliable, and probably your best bet during daytime hours.
By Bus
The X95 bus runs from central Athens (Syntagma Square) to the airport. It operates 24/7 too, and the journey takes roughly 40 minutes. A one-way ticket costs €6, and you buy it at the kiosk outside the Arrivals level. If you’re staying farther out, other bus lines serve the airport too: X96 from Piraeus and X97 from Elliniko Metro.
By Suburban Railway
This is a good choice if you’re near Larissa Station or coming from Piraeus. Trains run hourly. For quicker access, catch the metro to Doukissis Plakentias and transfer to the suburban train there. It runs more frequently.
By Taxi
Taxis from central Athens cost a flat €38 during the day or €54 at night (1 a.m. to 5 a.m.). The ride takes around 25–30 minutes with no traffic. Grab one outside exits 2 and 3 at the Arrivals level.
How to Get to Piraeus and Rafina Ports?
Piraeus Port is the busiest ferry terminal in Greece and the main departure point for Santorini. It’s 10 km from central Athens and very accessible.
- By metro: Take Line 1 (green) straight to Piraeus. The station is right next to the ferry gates. The total trip from the city center like Monastiraki is about 25 minutes.
- By taxi: It’s 20–30 minutes from downtown, traffic permitting. Expect to pay around €15–€20.
Rafina Port is smaller, less crowded, and closer to the airport than the city centre. It’s ideal if you’re heading straight from a flight.
- From the airport: Drive or taxi in about 20 minutes. A cab costs around €40–€50. Buses also run from the airport to Rafina every 1 or so. The journey is aprox. 30 mins.
- From Athens Centre: It takes longer—expect up to 1.5 hours via metro and bus if using public transport. Currently the metro does not go all the way to Rafina so you would have to go to the the closest metro stop, Pallini Metro or even the Airport and from there get a public transport or a taxi to Rafina port. With a bus from Athens, KTEL Buses leave from the center of the city (Pedion tou Areos), this journey can take up to 1.5hrs depending on the time of day and traffic. A taxi from downtown will cost €50–€70 and takes about 50 minutes, depending on traffic.
Exploring Santorini
Once you arrive, Santorini welcomes you with steep cliffs and postcard-perfect everything. But first, you need to get to your hotel.
Transportation from the Airport/Port to Hotels
From Santorini Airport (JTR):
The airport is just 5 km from Fira.
- Hotel pickup: Many hotels offer transfers—some free, some for a fee. Always ask in advance.
- Taxi: This is the fastest way to get to town. Expect to pay €15–€20 to Fira, more depending on the destination. In high season, taxis are limited, and queues can get long.
- Bus: This is the cheapest but least convenient. Buses run frequently to Fira. From there, you’ll need to transfer if you’re staying elsewhere.
From Athinios Port (Santorini’s ferry terminal):
The port sits at the bottom of a steep cliff about 10 km from Fira.
- Hotel transfer: This is often the easiest option, but book ahead.
- Taxi: Expect a 10–15-minute drive to Fira. It costs somewhere within the same price range as airport taxis.
- Bus: Regular buses meet ferries and head to Fira. If your hotel isn’t in Fira, plan to change buses there.
If your arrival is late or during peak season, confirm transport before you arrive. Santorini is beautiful, but the logistics can get tricky without a plan.
Final Thoughts on Travelling to Santorini
Both the flight and the ferry offer a route to one of Greece’s most iconic islands. The right option depends on your budget and what you value the most. Plan ahead and, most importantly, enjoy both the journey and the destination.
You need to be true to yourself
Just like every other human on the planet, I have epically awesome days and days when life just turne against me. And while I can’t stand most self-help (see: tired quotes over stock photography on Instagram), sometimes I need a little pick-me-up. And most of the time, in order to get out of a slump (because my brain leans more into math/science than anything else), I need to drop a logic bomb on my ass.
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We are a premier provider of luxury sailing experiences around the iconic island of Santorini, Greece. With a fleet of state-of-the-art catamarans and yachts, the company specializes in private and semi-private cruises that showcase the island’s stunning volcanic landscape, crystal-clear waters, and world-famous sunsets.
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