Arrival & Transport
Arrival by Plane
Santorini has a small but busy airport (JTR), located 6 km southeast of Fira. In the high season, it is one of the busiest in the Cyclades.
Direct Flights from Germany
In summer (May–October), Eurowings, Condor, and Ryanair fly directly from German airports to Santorini. Flight time: 2.5–3.5 hours. Prices: from €100 return (early booking with Ryanair), regularly €200–500 depending on the season. Important: Connections usually only exist from April/May to October — there are no direct flights from Germany in winter.
Via Athens
You can reach Santorini year-round via Athens (ATH): Fly to Athens (numerous connections, also cheap with Ryanair/easyJet), then continue to Santorini with Aegean Airlines, Olympic Air, or Sky Express (45 minutes, from €50 one way). Up to 10 flights daily in summer. Alternative: Ferry from Piraeus (see below).
From the Airport to Town
From the airport to Fira: Bus (KTEL, €1.80, 15 min., synchronized with flights) or Taxi (€15–20, fixed rate). To Oia: Taxi about €30–35 or bus to Fira, then transfer. Many hotels offer shuttle service — inquire when booking.
Arrival by Ferry
The ferry is the more romantic and often cheaper alternative to flying — especially for island hopping in the Cyclades.
From Piraeus (Athens)
High-speed ferries (SeaJets, Hellenic Seaways, Golden Star Ferries): 4.5–5 hours, from €55 one way. 2–4 connections daily in high season. Conventional ferries (Blue Star Ferries): 7–8 hours, from €35. Mostly overnight with cabin option. Both variants dock at the new port Athinios (midway up the caldera cliff — the ascent to Fira by bus or taxi is an experience in itself).
Island Hopping
From Santorini, you can reach numerous other islands by ferry:
| Destination | Duration | Price from | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mykonos | 2–3h | €55 | 2–3x daily |
| Naxos | 1.5–2h | €30 | 3–5x daily |
| Paros | 2–3h | €35 | 2–4x daily |
| Ios | 35–50 min. | €20 | 2–3x daily |
| Crete (Heraklion) | 1.5–2h | €50 | 1–2x daily |
| Milos | 3–4h | €40 | 1x daily |
Book ferries: ferryscanner.com or directferries.de. Book early in high season — high-speed ferries sell out quickly!
Tipp
The ferry from Crete to Santorini (2h with high-speed from Heraklion, from €50) is a fantastic combination: First explore Crete, then take the ferry to Santorini for a grand finale. Entering the caldera by boat — when the steep cliffs with white villages rise from the sea — is one of the most dramatic moments Greece has to offer.
Local Transport
Buses (KTEL)
Santorini has a surprisingly good bus network with Fira bus station as the hub. The main routes:
| Route | Frequency | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Fira → Oia | every 30 min. | €1.80 |
| Fira → Perissa/Perivolos | every 30 min. | €2.40 |
| Fira → Kamari | every 30 min. | €1.80 |
| Fira → Akrotiri | every 60 min. | €1.80 |
| Fira → Airport | to flights | €1.80 |
| Fira → Athinios (Port) | to ferries | €2.40 |
The buses are cheap and reliable, but overcrowded in high season — especially the Fira–Oia line from 5 PM (everyone wants to see the sunset). Plan for a 20-minute wait. Website: ktel-santorini.gr.
ATV / Quad
The most popular means of transport on Santorini — and fun! An ATV costs €30–50/day, a scooter €20–35/day. Rental agencies can be found in Fira, Perissa, and at the airport. Note: International driving license or at least a car driving license required (also for scooters over 50cc). The roads are narrow, traffic hectic in summer, and accidents happen regularly — always wear a helmet!
Rental Car
A rental car is worthwhile for 1–2 days to explore the island (wine route, Akrotiri, beaches). Prices: €40–70/day in high season. Parking is scarce — practically impossible in Oia and Fira. Use public parking on the outskirts and walk.
Taxi
Santorini has only about 25 taxis — they are hard to get in high season. Pre-booking is almost always necessary (your hotel can help). Fixed rates: Fira–Oia €20, Fira–Perissa €15, Fira–Airport €15–20. 50% surcharge at night.
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