The main advantage is the time flights to Santorini only take 45-50 minutes, so if you only have a few days in Greece, flying from Athens to Santorini makes sense. The port of Piraeus is around 15km south of Athens city center. Thanks for your input. by Disqus. Youve already picked your next destination and now youre trying to figure out which is the best way to go! They leave Piraeus at 7.25 am every day throughout the year, and also in the evening on some summer days. With this option, you will get no guaranteed seat. As many people are met by a taxi arranged by their accommodation, the port might be quite chaotic, so pay extra attention to your valuables. The slow ferry (typically overnight) can take up to 12 hours and 45 minutes! "@type": "Question", Ryanair is a low-cost airline based in Ireland, and it definitely is a controversial company. They are also your best budget option if you only book a few days in advance. "Copyright Dave's Travel Pages (c) 2005- - 2021 ".
The airport is located 27km from Athens city center and takes around 35-40 minutesby car, taxi or metro and 60 minutes by bus. 
I have found your blog/website very helpful; thank you for all the time you take to update it and provide such helpful info. 
There are cabins for 1, 2 or 4 people, and they can either be inside cabins (with no window view) or outside cabins (you can see the Aegean sea from the window). Add-ons start from about 15 euro at the time of writing, but Ryanairs policies change all the time, so you will need to do your own research at the time of booking your tickets. This is my blog to help you plan your next holidays to Greece and the greek islands, whether it is Santorini, Mykonos, Crete or even Athens. I would personally choose to fly from Athens to Santorini and look for low-priced direct flights well in advance. You can reach Santorini from Athens by ferry or plane. Hi! Seajet Ferriesare less stable and that is because they are faster to take you to Santorini. }, { There are several providers selling tickets online, and https://www.ferryhopper.com/en/ is one of the best. ** Click here to use Skyscanner to compare flight prices **, Also read: Advantages and Disadvantages of Traveling by Plane.
Read my full article: How to get from Piraeus to Athens Airport and city centre. I suggest booking your Santorini airport transfer in advance. "acceptedAnswer": { The standard fare costs between 65 and 80 euro, and business / VIP class is an extra 10-30 euro. Here is some more information about this company https://goldenstarferries.gr/en/. Every plane that lands on Santorini, takes off after 40 minutes to fly back to Athens. People who have been travelling to Greece for years, might remember that Olympic Air was merged with Aegean Airlines in 2013. Underneath, you can see an index to this blog post, with links that will take you through to the appropriate section. You can pre-book a taxi here Santorini Airports Transfers. These Blue Star ferries are massive passenger ferries that also carry vehicles. If you try to book a last minute ticket in peak season, you may get prices as high as 300-400 euro, or even no availability. Should you go from Athens to Santorini by ferry or flight? Yes and yes! All of them offer two or three types of indoor seats, standard, business and VIP. }
"@type": "Answer", It is better to fly to Santorini because the ferry trip takes more than 4 hours and you will be wasting at least half a day in total just to arrive to the island. Sometimes the X96 Athens Airport Buses say:AEROLIMENAS-PEIRAIAS, This is a greek version of saying: Airport Pireaus , so its the same really. If you are a frequent flier within Europe, you can consider their MegaVolotea membership, where you pay a one-off fee to have discounts on flights and add-ons. There are many seat options on the conventional ferry operated by Blue Star ferries, ranging from a deck seat / economy to a single cabin. While you cant print your own ticket after you buy it online, Ferryhopper gives you the option to collect it from your hotel in the Athens or Pireaus area, for a 10 euro fee. One more suggestion if you are flying back from Santorini to Athens, allow at least 2 hours at the Santorini International Airport. If you dont want to fly with a low-cost company, my suggestion is to fly with Olympic Air, or SkyExpress if you have checked luggage. You would still have to get the printout from the ferry kiosk outside of the ferry before departing (so make sure you arrive there early enough). I know the ins and outs of my country and hopefully my travel blog will help you make the most of your holidays. The fast ferry has airplane-style seats and you cannot go outside but the slow ferry (Blue Star Ferries) is bigger and offers the option to stay on the open deck for as long as you want. Boats to Santorini from Athens depart from between gates E6 and E7, which is walking distance from Piraeus metro and suburban railway station. On average there are 3 Seajets Ferries on a daily basis from Athens to Santorini during the high season and they take about 5 hours to take you to Santorini. I remember the days when I was a kid (or even till recently) when as a family we had to visit a specific travel agency to book and get the ferry tickets but these days are long gone! "@context": "https://schema.org", If you are planning a trip to Greece and are thinking of flying from Athens to Santorini, subscribe to the air companies newsletters, as they often announce promotions months in advance. Theferry from Athens to Santorini takes 5-8 hrs (depending on which ferry you choose)and if you are visiting the island only for 3-4 days then you will be wasting too much time on the sea. Stunning views to the Aegean Sea from the blue-domed churches of Oia in Santorini. For the X96 bus, you have to buy tickets from a kiosk which is just outside of the bus stop (and also just outside of the airport, just follow the Bus signs in the airport). There is also a travel agent at airport, called Aktina Travel Group.
But in reality you will find some brand new GPS screens showing you where you actually are: TheX96 bus runs 24/7and there is a bus every 30 mins roughly (in Greece time runsin a very strange wayso never expect somethingto be on timethats just a small tip from greeksyoud better get used to that unfortunately). { You might also look at this guide on how to get to Santorini to see if you can travel there directly from your own country. As I live in Greece, I don't mind spending an extra few hours on the boat. As of March 2020, Blue Star Ferries dont offer an e-ticket option. A ferry(tale) about getting from Athens to Santorini, 3 Greek islands for people with disabilities, How to get to Paros, Greece: the complete guide. Check on this link the timetables for Athens metro lines. There are plenty of car rental options at the Santorini airport but it is always wise to book well in advance. Both of these ferries have no deck, and you will be inside the whole time. Is there any overnite bunk bed cabins fir the long journey from Athens to Santorini, Yes, definitely! Remember that neither Ryanair nor Volotea fly in winter. Note, however, that some ferries, especially the SeaJets, might be fully booked. There are usually 2 fast ferries from Santorini to Athens and 1 conventional ferry per day. Finally, there are a few smaller, faster vessels without vehicle capacity. In terms of price, flights to Santorini can actually work out cheaper than the boat, especially if you book well in advance. The slow Ferries are the best option if you get seasick easily, if you want to sit on the deck, if you are not in a hurry, and if you like boats in general. Find below all the information and tips for the best port for your trip to Santorini: The old scenic port of Oia surrounded by cliffs in Santorini. You can also buy your tickets directly from the companies websites, where you can also find information about the ferry you are interested in. The bus leaves from just outside the airport terminal. I was actually born in Athens and I have been to almost all of the greek islands and pretty much most of mainland Greece. Ferries rarely sell out to Santorini, but the cheaper options are always the first ones to go. All these boats will first stop on other islands, such as Milos, Paros, Naxos, Mykonos and Ios. If you have hand luggage, its best to bring it with you upstairs, even if just to avoid the chaos of finding it upon your arrival to Santorini. A few important things to know about the ferries from Athens to Santorini: Before deciding which ferry to take (and also to check timetables and prices for all ferries) you should head over toDirect Ferriesand simply put your desirable dates.
However, the ferry to Santorini can be quite enjoyable and refreshing as you also get the opportunity to see a few more greek islands on the way to Santorini. }] While it might be possible to get last minute tickets even in high season, it is not guaranteed that you will find any, so if you know your plans already there is no reason to postpone getting your ferry tickets from Athens to Santorini. Ok, so lets see all the available options: Taking aflight to Santoriniis obviously the quickest and most expensive option bu it is highly recommended if you are staying on the island for anything less than 5 days as you wont be wasting time on the slow ferry boats. Depending on your schedule and budget, you can hop on a high-speed or conventional ferry.
While these can be an option for some people, they would be affected by the strong meltemi summer winds. Its time for a break and what better place to spend your vacation if not Santorini? You basically have 2 options to get from Athens to Santorini:by plane or by a ferry. Most of the Santorini ferries for spring 2020 are slow ferries, that take about 9 hours to get to the island.
There are a number of high-speed ferries run by a company called Hellenic SeaJet. You are also entitled to check another piece of luggage the weight varies from 8 to to 23 kg, depending on your airfare. Daves Travel Pages has a number of affiliate links placed within the travel blog. Depending on mode of transportation and traffic / time of the day, you will generally need at least an hour to get from the airport to Piraeus Athens ferry port. Their website is here where you can find flights from Athens to Santorini: www.ryanair.com. They run all 365 days per year and there are basically 2 ferries per day from Piraeus port to Santorini: one in the early morning and one in the afternoon. Travel Viva. "@type": "Answer", There is no cabin or deck option in fact, there is not much of a deck, so you cant really wander around the boat. Some of the ferries that run from Athens to Santorini all year round, are operated by a ferry company called Blue Star Ferries. While on board, you can purchase food or drinks, but my advice is to buy some water from the airport instead, as Ryanairs prices are quite steep. Tips for buying flight tickets from Athens to Santorini, Getting to Piraeus Port from the Athens airport and central Athens, Getting to Rafina Port from the Athens airport and central Athens, Types of boats travelling between Athens and Santorini, Getting from Athens to Santorini on the slow ferries Blue Star Ferries, Getting from Athens to Santorini on the Hellenic SeaJet ferries, Getting from Athens to Santorini on the Golden Star ferries, Buying boat tickets from Athens to Santorini, How to get from Athens to Santorini The best way, Advantages and Disadvantages of Traveling by Plane, How to get from Piraeus to Athens Airport and city centre, How to get from Athens to the Cyclades islands, 9 Reasons Why Long Term Travel Is Cheaper Than Regular Vacations, How to plan a Workation Tips For Perfecting Work Life Balance, Armchair Travel: How To Virtually Explore The World, 200+ Mexico Instagram Captions For Your Sun And Fun Photos. Click here to see all the stops of X96 Bus (from Athens Airport to Piraeus Ferry port to Santorini) and the live timetables. If Santorini is the last island you visit before returning home, we recommend booking a flight from Santorini to Athens. As an example, Ryanairs gates are about a 15 minute walk from the airports main building, while Olympic Air flies from the main terminal. While this would make sense as part of an island-hopping trip, a flight would be better if we were going to Santorini for a quick island break. All in all, if budget is an issue, just go with the lowest fee, which is not always Ryanair. However, if you consider taking the sea-nic routes, relax with a book while enjoying the endless blue and sunshine, Ferryhopper brings the good news! The smaller SeaJet ferries dont carry vehicles. A smart idea is also to mix the 2 options and get the ferry to go to Santorini (preferrably the Blue Star ferry as its more stable and less likely to cancel due to bad weather) and then get a flight back to Athens. Make sure you bring a jacket, as the air-con can get quite chilly. In case there is no e-ticket option, all companies have kiosks inside the port. Finally, there are cabin options varying in price, with the most expensive cabin option from Athens to Santorini costing around 120 euro. You can check ferry routes, and book ferry tickets online at Ferryhopper. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. "text": "Flying from Athens to Santorini is the quickest way to travel, taking just 45 minutes. You might like to check out these other travel guides. Also, traveling by ferry is cheaper than taking a plane. However, I do recommend taking the faster ferries as the cabins may get too expensive at the end. Ferries between Athens and Santorini cost around 35-56 depending on the type of vessel (conventional or high-speed ferry). The slow ferry (typically overnight) can take up to 12 hours and 45 minutes!" For adults the Athens bus ticket (called ATH.ENA) costs 6 euros and for kids (under 6) it costs 3euros. You may want to book a reserved airplane seat instead, inside the ferry, for 49 euro. This is the site I use for all my island hopping trips in Greece."} Allow plenty of time to pick up your tickets as there may be long queues. Hi Linda, I think it was more so you could finish on an island with beaches (as Santorini doesnt have great beaches in my opinion). You dont get to see much but its nice to feel like you are on a small cruise! Once you board the boat, there are designated areas where you will be asked to place your luggage.
Ready? Olympic Air has different types of fares.
It is not an easy decision to make, but it is definitely a win-win situation! One of the best websites to look at ferry schedules and book ferry tickets from Athens to Santorini (or any of the Greek islands for that matter) is https://www.ferryhopper.com/en/. The Golden Star ferries are another company, operating a couple of faster ferries from both Piraeus and Rafina port. Prices vary widely, depending on the company you are using, the season and time of day when you are travelling, whether you have checked luggage, whether you want to select your seat, how long in advance you book your flight to from Athens to Santorini, the class you have selected and a few other things. Should I stay or should I go? A cabin is not really required (its just 8 hours) and you can go outside while the ferry is sailing. The X96 bus is pretty fast and it costs only 6euros!
My name is Pavlos and I come from the beautiful country called Greece. No matter how you choose to travel from Athens to Santorini, it is for sure that your heartbeat will rise when you are approaching the island And there is no way you wont be surprised by the amazing blue colour of the greek sea ! In winter there are just one or two ferries per day sailing the Santorini route departing from Piraeus, the main port of Athens. For me, the best way to check timetables and even book your ferry tickets online has beenDirect Ferriesfor the last years and I highly recommend it to everyone looking to get a ferry to Santorini. Booking.comis the website with the most available rooms and Private Villas in Athens, Santorini , Mykonos & Crete(more than Airbnb! As its really small, chances are there will be long queues, so make sure you are there in good time for your flight.
You can also take a taxi from the Athens airport to the Piraeus Ferry port which costs 50-60 euros but its really not recommended because it doesnt worth it in my opinion. You dont have the option to go outside if you board the Seajet Ferries as they are closed-type ferry boats (like a catamaran). The Sea Jets differ between them in terms of inside space and overall size of boat. } Rafina is a much smaller (and less busy) port, located around an hour away from central Athens and a half hour from the airport. I've seen the cheapest flights to Santorini start from as little as 20 Euro! The Santorini Airport is only a 10 minute drive from Fira and a little futher to Oia. As Santorini is a very popular destination in the Cyclades, it is recommended to book your ferry tickets well in advance, especially if you want a cabin or can only travel on a specific boat or a specific day. I recommend 3 to 4 days in Santorini in order to see as many sites as possible. This bus is run by a different company from the X96 bus, and you will need to get the ticket on board for 3 euro. Bus tickets cost 6 euro and need to be purchased outside the bus and validated when you board the bus. The Spanish company called Volotea flies from Athens to Santorini in summer only. You might like to read: How to find cheap flights, Done for you: Athens: 4-Day Self-Guided Tour of Mykonos and Santorini. The cheapest ticket for the Blue Star ferry costs 20 euros (no reserved seat) but its highly advisable to get an aiport style seat which will cost you 40 euros per person. There are large, conventional ferries that are the best budget option, but take several hours longer to reach Santorini. Make sure to watch the fantastic sunset in Santorini each evening you are there!" The smaller SeaJet ferries are not a great choice if you are prone to sea sickness. While Aegean covers international routes in Europe and beyond, Olympic Air covers flights inside Greece. The timetables for the bus Athens Aiport to Rafina are on the following table (roughly a bus every 3 hours): To go from Athens Airport to Syntagma Square (the most central point in Athens), you have to take either the metro from the airport (its actually overground for some stations and then it goes underground) orthe bus X95which will take you to Syntagma Square within 30-40 mins. "@type": "Question", "@type": "Answer", On Ferryhopper, you can compare prices and companies and book your ferry ticketsfrom Athens to Santorini at no extra cost! ", No matter how bumpy or windy it is, you wont feel much with these ones. Like for most flights, you can use popular search engines such aswww.skyscanner.comor www.kayak.com to compare prices. The quickest high speed ferry from Athens takes 4 hours and 45 minutes to get to Santorini. You can also get a taxi from either the airport or the centre. You can get to Piraeus ferry port from the airport by Athens metro, suburban railway or the express bus X96. Flights to Santorini departs Athens International Airport. A ferry journey takes anything from around 4.5 to 8-9 hours, but it is a cool experience, especially if you havent been on a Greek ferry before. Make sure you are there early, as other people will be queuing as well. If you need to bring checked luggage, you will have to pay extra.
Flying only takes 45-40 minutes, and if you only have hand luggage its a breeze. Sign up below for more travel tips for traveling in Greece! This is the site I use for all my island hopping trips in Greece. Flying to Santorini from Athens is best if you want to make the best use of your vacation time. Traveling with a conventional ferry allows you to fully enjoy your ferry ride from Athens to Santorini, relax under the sun and feel the sea breeze. While most ferries have escalators, bear in mind that they dont always function, so if you want to bring your luggage with you, make sure you can carry it. Its prices are not much lower than those of other companies, while the range of add-on options it offers is rather confusing and it might take a while to get your head around it. You can take a ferry or a plane. The winds in Greece are often strong, and your trip will be unpleasant, in the best case, or even cancelled, in the worst case. Visiting Santorini is a great experience, with notable sights such as the volcano and its amazing views, Oia, and Fira. BUT FOR THE LATEST PRICES ALWAYS CHECK THEDirectFerriesWEBSITE. Prices of one-way flights from Athens to Santorini start from about 45 euro if you book in advance. ", I did not see your recommendations for hotels in Mykonos but u do list many options for Santorini and I like the quiet description for Imerovigli. Go figure! }, { It is definitely worth it, as you will have your own designated seat, while you will also be able to wander around the boat and sit on the deck if you want. They offer a quieter environment, and there is also waiter service. Check the exact timetables on Direct Ferries. "name": "What is the best way to travel from Athens to Santorini? They have several decks, lounges, restaurants, cafes, toilets, small shops selling books and clothes, and other amenities to keep you occupied during your trip. The easiest and cheapest option to get to Athens ferry port called Piraeus is by takingthe bus X96that stops just outside of the Athens airport.
While Hellenic Highspeed has vehicle capacity, Flying Cat 3 is a much smaller ferry that only takes passengers. } A lot of questions pop up daily in our heads! Before we dive too far in, here's some of the most commonly asked questions about travel between Athens and Santorini: Flying from Athens to Santorini is the quickest way to travel, taking just 45 minutes. I would personally avoid it for a trip from Athens to Santorini, as it isnt pleasant to travel on, especially if its windy. If you are visiting Santorini for anything less than 5 days, it is better to take a 45 minutes flight from Athens to Santorini. The basic fare includes a standard piece of hand luggage of up to 8 kg as well as one personal item. "@type": "Question", You can find ferry timetables and schedules here: Ferryscanner. Again, there is no deck option. The ferry route is operated by Seajets leaving the port of Piraeus at 7:00. You can easily reach the port by car, taxi and public transport including bus, metro and suburban railway. If you want to get a last-minute ticket during peak season, prices can go well over 200 euro. Cabins can be sold out weeks in advance, so plan ahead if you want one. Standard seats on these boats cost 60 euro, and there is a surcharge for business or VIP seats. A return flight to Santorini can cost you from under 50 to a few hundreds of euro, so its worth spending some time researching. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. "text": "I recommend 3 to 4 days in Santorini in order to see as many sites as possible. Also, bear in mind that these are most highly to get cancelled depending on the weather conditions (very unlikely from June-September but its always a possibility). Blue Star Ferry times schedule is to visit the Direct Ferries website. The X95 bus stop is next to the X96 bus stop and the tickets are exactly the same and are sold from the same kiosk. Thebest and cheapest website to book or search for flights from Athens to Santorini isExpediaas it has all the available options (including the low-cost airlines like Ryanair). The cheapest ticket for the Seajet Ferry Cost 55 euros but depending on the time and the ferry you choose the ticket might cost you up to 80 euros (one way) There are no cabins on these ferries. These ferries take 7-9 hours to get to Santorini, though in practice they can be delayed. Butyou can always book them online (just to be sure) on theDirect Ferrieswebsite (even if you dont book them there, you can always check the timetables of the ferries on the dates you want to travel). Required fields are marked *. You also get to see some other greek islands before you arrive in Santorini (okits just the port but you can still take a selfie with another greek island on the background). I recommend at least 2 hours or more between flights there is plenty to do at Athens international airport, so you wont be bored. "acceptedAnswer": { I am repeating myself, but I feel quite strongly about it. On the plus side, you will get to see the amazing caldera views upon your arrival to Santorini! Plus, if you book your ferry tickets in advance, you can also take advantage of the early-booking offers with ticket prices of around 30. "name": "How many days do you need in Santorini? As there are a few different companies flying between Athens and Santorini, and a few different ferry companies, I've compiled the information in one place to make a comprehensive guide.
If you want to maximize the use of your time on vacation, you should definitely fly from Athens to Santorini instead of taking a ferry. If you decide to buy items through these links, you will be helping Dave to fund this site and perhaps the next adventure. There are regular flights and ferries from Athens to Santorini every day of the week. Traveling around Greece this year? The exact times of the flights change and they are not the same throughout the year, so make sure you get the right times from, The cost of the flight from Ahtens to Santorini may come up to, So much faster than the ferry (30-40 mins on the air)you can literally save a whole day and spend it inSantorini instead, The flight times to Santorini may not be convenient and you might have to spend some boring hours at the Athens airport, You dont get to see any other Greek islands ( you can get a glimpse of them by taking the ferry which is like a mini cruise in a waysee below). You can book your ticket here https://en.aegeanair.com/ and here https://www.olympicair.com/en. Its a great way to catch a glimpse of the ports and start planning your next holiday in Greece. Ferry ticket prices range from about 35 to well over 100 euro, depending on what type of seat you get and on whether you want a cabin or not.