Getting to Santorini & around the island
Santorini is easy to reach by air or sea, and small enough to explore in a few days. Here's how to arrive smoothly — and the best ways to get around once you do.
How do you get to Santorini? Either fly into Santorini (Thira) National Airport — direct from Athens year-round and many European cities in season — or take a ferry into Athinios port from Piraeus (Athens) and the other Greek islands. We always recommend arranging a transfer in advance, as taxis are limited.
Two ways in: by air and by sea
Flying is fastest. The flight from Athens is around 45 minutes, and through spring and summer there are direct seasonal flights from across Europe. The airport (code JTR) sits on the east side of the island, about 15–20 minutes from Fira.
Arriving by sea is part of the experience — ferries glide into the caldera past the cliffs. The main port is Athinios, a winding 25–30 minute drive below Fira. If your cruise ship anchors in the bay, you'll tender to the old port beneath Fira and ride the cable car up.
We can arrange private transfers as part of any proposal — see transportation & transfers.
Your options in
By air ✈
Santorini (Thira) Airport, code JTR. ~45 min from Athens; seasonal direct flights from many European cities. 15–20 min to Fira.
By ferry ⛴
Athinios port. High-speed from Piraeus ~4.5–5.5 h; conventional ~7–8 h. Frequent links to Mykonos, Naxos, Paros, Ios and Crete.
By cruise 🚢
Ships anchor in the caldera; tenders run to the old port. Up to Fira by cable car, on foot, or the steep zig-zag path.
Transfers 🚗
Pre-book a private transfer or taxi. Taxi numbers are limited island-wide, so arranging a car ahead saves a long wait in season.
Once you're on the island
- Rental car — the most flexible option for beaches, wineries and sunset timing. Roads are narrow and parking is tight in the villages; book early in summer.
- ATV / quad bikes — popular and fun, but exposed and easy to underestimate. Wear a helmet, take it slow and make sure you're properly insured.
- Public buses (KTEL) — inexpensive and reliable, radiating from the Fira hub to Oia, Kamari, Perissa, Akrotiri and the port. Fewer services off-season.
- Taxis — there are only a limited number on the island, so pre-book for early flights, ferries and dinner reservations.
- Cable car & on foot — the Fira cable car links the old port to town; the caldera-rim villages are best explored on foot.
A note on the old-port donkeys: the cable car (or the steps) is the kinder, quicker way up — we always recommend it.
Let us handle the logistics
For proposals, we coordinate transfers, timings and the surprise so the day runs without a hitch.