VIVESANTORINI

How to get from Athens to Santorini

Santorini, the beautiful Greek island in the Aegean Sea, is a popular tourist destination for those looking for a unique Mediterranean experience. While there are many ways to get to Santorini, one of the most popular is from Athens.

In this guide you will find the best ways on how to get to Santorini from Athens. The recommended and cheapest option is the ferry, you can also get to Santorini by plane from Athens, it is more expensive but ideal if you are looking for not wasting time in journeys and to see Santorini in its entirety.

Ways to Santorini from Athens

As we have told you before, the most common ways to go to Santorini from Athens are by ferry, by plane and by booking private tours or excursions. Each one has its advantages and we are going to explain you all the details so you can choose the one that best suits you.

Athens to Santorini by ferry

One of the most popular options to go from Athens to Santorini is to book a ferry from Athens departing from the ports of Piraeus or Rafina and arriving at the port of Thira (Santorini), and in this article we will explain everything you need to know about how to get to this island paradise.

There are several options to travel by ferry from Athens to Santorini, and the choice will depend largely on your budget, schedule and travel preferences. Generally speaking, prices range between £50 and £100, while the average journey time is between 4 and 7 hours. You can check prices, schedules and book your ticket here.

What are the best options to go by ferry?

The most popular options are:

Blue Star Ferries: is the largest ferry company in Greece and offers several daily services from the port of Piraeus in Athens to Santorini. Trips usually take between 5 and 8 hours, depending on the type of ferry you choose, and prices vary depending on the season.

Hellenic Seaways: This is another of the most important ferry companies in Greece and offers several travel options from the port of Piraeus to Santorini. The trips usually take between 4 and 8 hours, and prices also vary depending on the season and the type of ferry you choose.

Seajets: This is a smaller ferry company offering services from the port of Rafina, which is about 30 km east of Athens, to Santorini. Trips usually take between 4 and 5 hours, and prices can be a bit more expensive than the other companies.

How to get to the port of Piraeus and Rafina

To get to the port of Piraeus from the center of Athens, you can take the metro (line 1) which goes directly to the port. The trip takes about 25 minutes and the fare is about £1,40 per person. You can also take the X80 bus which costs £4.5 and departs from Syntagma Square and the Acropolis.

The most comfortable option is to book this transfer service, it is much cheaper than the cab and faster than the train or bus.

If you decide to take the ferry from Rafina, you can also get there by cab or bus from the center of Athens. Buses leave from the KTEL bus station, which is close to the Kifissos metro station. The trip takes about an hour and the fare is around £3.50 per person.

Visit Santorini with ferry, hotel and transfers included from Athens

If you like to travel carefree, you can explore the island of Santorini by booking this 2 or more day all-inclusive tour or this 4-day tour which also takes you to the lively island of Mykonos. Both of these tours are rated as the best Santorini getaways departing from Athens

Athens to Santorini by plane

The best way to get from Athens by plane is to book a direct flight to Santorini. Prices usually range between £40 and £60 and the journey time is around 40 minutes.

In this guide we will explain everything you need to know about getting to Santorini Island from Athens by plane.

What are the best options for air travel?

There are several options to travel from Athens to Santorini by plane, here are the best ones:

Aegean Airlines: Greece’s largest airline, Aegean Airlines offers several daily flights from Athens airport to Santorini. Flights last approximately 45 minutes and prices vary according to the season and range from £20 to £50 .

Olympic Air: Another major airline in Greece, Olympic Air offers several flight options from Athens airport to Santorini. Flights last approximately 45 minutes, and prices are similar to Aegean Airlines.

How to get to Athens airport

To get to Athens airport from the city centre, you can take the metro (line 3) which goes directly to the airport. The journey takes around 40 minutes and the fare is approximately £10 per person.

A cheaper but also slower option is to take the X95 bus, which operates 24 hours a day, takes approximately 70 minutes and costs 6£ person.

Both buses stop at the central Syntagma Square.

The most convenient option is to book this transfer service, which is much cheaper than a taxi and faster than the train or bus.

Excursions from Athens to Santorini

A very comfortable option if you want to visit the incredible Santorini and some of the most emblematic islands of the Cyclades, we recommend you:

5-Day Mykonos & Santorini Package

3-Day Santorini Trip

Getting around Santorini arriving from Athens

Getting around Santorini is very easy as all transport is connected in route and time. If you have any questions or would like more information, please see how to get around the island of Santorini.

The best way and the most comfortable and fastest way is to book this private transfer from the port or airport of Santorini that will take you to your accommodation or the destination of your choice.

Where to sleep in Santorini

Once you have found out how to get from Athens to Santorini, the next step is to look for accommodation that suits your needs. To get to your accommodation from the airport or from the port of Santorini, take a look at the paragraph above.

We share with you what we consider to be the best value for money hotels in Santorini to make the most of the island.