Santorini Island Transportation – Taxi, Train, Bus & Airport Tips

One of the most popular destinations in Greece, Santorini is a stunning island of bright white walls and dark blue seas. Getting here and getting around the island is surprisingly easy.

Santorini Island Transportation

Santorini makes an easy stopover as a part of a tour of the Greek Islands. It also makes an ideal place to begin a trip.

Getting There By Plane 

You can fly to Athens and take a connecting flight. You can also choose to fly to the island directly from many other places in Europe. A flight from Athens takes about half an hour and typically takes off once a day from the national airline. You can also get a charter flight. If you’re flying during the off-season, it’s much cheaper. Air travel can be more reliable than taking a ferry because the ferry may be delayed by fierce winds and rough seas.

Ferries and Cruise Ships 

If you are coming by cruise, the ship can’t get into the harbor so you’ll be taken into a small boat to reach the main port. Ferries come from many other Greek islands. A Blue Star Ferry from Naxos will take about two hours. They also run ferries from Athens. The trip generally takes around eight hours. You will need to get there an hour before the boat leaves. If you want to get the island faster, take the Hellas Flying Dolphin line. This will cut time off your trip, but it’s more expensive.

Getting Around the Island

Getting around the island can be done in several ways. During the summer is when you’ll find the greatest number of buses. They run along several major villages and go the main station at Fira. You can only change from one route to another at this station. In the winter, there are buses but they go much less frequently. Bus fares are reasonably priced. If you prefer more flexible transportation, you can rent a scooter or a bike. Four wheeled quad bikes are also popular and require a driver’s license to operate. For an even more authentic experience, take a donkey ride. This is a great alternative to the cable car from the port to the main city of Fira.

Editor’s note: The information contained on this page was compiled using real traveler reviews about transportation methods in Santorini.