How to get from Heraklion to Santorini

Why visit Santorini?

Santorini is home to one of Greece’s most iconic trademarks — whitewashed buildings overlooking cliffs. They blend beautifully with the island’s rugged landscape, which was shaped by a massive volcanic eruption hundreds of years ago. Not-so-fun fact: Santorini sits on a still very active volcano, whose crater is hidden under the sea.

Volcanic-sand beaches dot the coasts of Santorini. Some black, some red, others even multi-coloured. They all open up to alluring turquoise waters that will make you want to take a dip. Do yourself a favour and spend at least one sunset in Oia. It will be one of the most picturesque views you’ll ever see!

There are 3 ways to travel the 145 kilometres (90 miles) from Heraklion to Santorini. You can choose between the flight, ferry and day trip. The journey takes 2 hours 20 minutes to 11 hours and the quickest way is by ferry. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by ferry with tickets starting at €28.50 ($33).

Direct ferries sail from Heraklion to Santorini all year round.

Note that there are more ferry trips during the summer season (May to October). Only 1 daily trip is available during the winter months (November to March).

Seajets and Minoan Lines are the main companies operating ferry trips from Heraklion to Santorini in summer (May to October).

Travel time takes around 2 hours, with fares from €81 ($94).

Anek Lines also operates one ferry trip on Sundays, and tickets cost as low as €26 ($30.50). However, this ferry departs in the evening, so you’ll be arriving in Santorini at midnight. The trip also takes much longer, around 6 hours.

From Santorini Port, you need to travel by bus or taxi to Fira, the island’s capital. Tourists usually stay in this town.

Buses bound for Fira are usually available at the port, just awaiting ferry arrivals. A ticket costs €2.50 ($2.90). You can expect to arrive at Fira Bus Stop in about 30 minutes.

In the event that the bus is already full, you have the option to take a taxi with rates from €29 ($34). Travel time would take around 20 minutes.

Is your hotel located elsewhere in Santorini? A taxi is your only option for a direct transfer. All buses from the port make their final stop in Fira. From Fira, you can take a bus to almost any town on the island.

Taking a flight from Heraklion to Santorini is more expensive than taking a ferry. There is no direct flight for this route, and all flights make a stop in Athens.

It’s definitely a scenic way to travel this route, but we think short flights like this are not worth the amount of harm they bring to the environment.

TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.

Heraklion Airport is located 4 km east of the city centre. The bus is the cheapest way to get there. A ticket costs €2 ($2.30), and the bus journey takes around 25 minutes.

The buses depart from Heraklion Bus Station every 10 to 15 minutes from 06:00 to 00:00.

Alternatively, you can take a 10-minute taxi with rates from €20 ($23.50).

Sky Express and Aegean are the two carriers that you can choose from if you want to fly from Heraklion to Santorini. Both airlines have daily flights for this route.

Note that there are no direct flights from Heraklion to Santorini. All flights make a stop in Athens.

Depending on the layover in Athens, the shortest flight duration could range from 2-3 hours. Airfares for flights with short layovers normally cost €88 ($105).

Fira, the island’s capital, is located 5 km northwest of Santorini Airport. A taxi is our recommended option to reach your hotel because it’s safer and more convenient. You can take a metered taxi with fares from €25 ($29). Travel time is around 15 minutes.

If you’re on a budget and don’t mind hustling through a very crowded ride, then you can also take the bus from Santorini Airport to Fira. Although a ticket only costs €1.80 ($2.10), we regret to say that taking the bus may cost you your wallet, cellphone, or other valuables. Thus, let this be a warning: watch your valuables!

Buses from Santorini Airport are notorious for pickpockets. If you must really take a bus, we recommend that you stay alert for the entire 25-minute ride.

GetYourGuide also offers day trips from Heraklion to Santorini with rates from €1,490 ($1,740) per person.

This tour that takes 11 hours includes high-speed catamaran transfers to and from Santorini, a historical bus tour of the island, some free time in Fira town, and of course, a stop at iconic Oia.

Note that the tour starts from Heraklion Port. This means that you need to travel on your own to the port.