I was wondering how to get from Mykonos to Santorini? Both are famous Greek islands, but is there a way to travel without getting through Athens? Yes, there is.
Greece is a charming tourist destination.
Its proximity to the Mediterranean Sea coupled with the temperate climate makes it a ‘must-visit destination.
It also has numerous islands that span both the Aegean and the Mediterranean seas. These, too, go a long way in enhancing its standing as a leading European tourism hub.
Today, we are going to examine two of those islands that confer excellent tourism opportunities.
These are the Mykonos and the Santorini islands, respectively.
We will specifically examine the various ways and means you may shuttle in between these two islands.
We hope that the information we are about to furnish shall help you plan a worthwhile visit to the nation. When in Santorini, check the view from the Caldera.
How to get to Santorini from Mykonos?
There are two main ways to get to Santorini from Mykonos.
These are via ferry and via flights respectively. We are going to elaborate on these two avenues in finer detail hereunder.
Which are the Mykonos to Santorini Flights?
You can catch a flight at Mykonos and land safely at Santorini. The aerial distances between these two destinations are around 150 km.
Flights depart from the Mykonos Island National Airport and land at the Santorini (Thira) National Airport. The flight takes around 30 minutes, inclusive of the ground taxi.
Whereas this way is faster and more comfortable, it is nonetheless not inadvisable. This is because such a flight is costlier. You will also not have the opportunity to sightsee the ocean and the surrounding land.
You can also fly from one island to another in a helicopter taxi!. Book it from here.
There are around four to five flights per week between Mykonos and Santorini.
The flights usually fly from April to early October, and they sell out fast.
Check airplane flights schedules and prices from here.
Mykonos to Santorini Ferries
Owing to the unreliable nature of the flights, the ferry is undoubtedly the most reliable means of traveling in between these two destinations.
The ferry ride takes roughly 2 hours and 35 minutes. Make sure to book the tickets online before your trip.
Several ferry companies are licensed to operate their vessels in between these two destinations.
In the proceeding segment of the discussions, we will sample and review the leading of those companies.
Which ferries travel to Santorini?
Three prominent ferry companies ply the route.
These are the Hellenic Seaways, the Blue Star Ferries, and the SeaJet Ferry, respectively.
These ferries operate on unique and independent schedules, charge different amounts of money, and have other classes.
You, therefore, have to pay a visit to the site while finding the right ferry for your use. Such a visit will help you in scheduling your trip appropriately.
These ferries provide the following classes of services:
Deck Class
The deck is the topmost portion of the ferry. It has almost no seats, and passengers thus stand throughout their journey.
It is by far the cheapest and most affordable option. The main downside of the deck is that you may feel too tired to stand on your journey.
Economy Class
The economy class differs not so significantly from the deck class. It is also cheaper and is targeted at the lower end of the market.
However, the class does provide seats to the passengers, unlike the deck class, which has the passengers standing throughout the journey.
It is slightly more expensive than the deck class but is nonetheless more comfortable. This is by far the most preferred of all the classes of the ferry.
It is also great for those who may be too tired to stand all the way.
Business Class
In case you are a business person, the business class is the right option for you. The class provides seats and facilities that are designed to enhance the comfort of a business person.
These include personalized seats, meals, entertainment, and internet access. This class is expensive, granted.
However, all factors considered, it is indeed a very great option, especially for those who have to keep working even when they are on the go.
VIP Class
As the name suggests, the VIP class is for persons of high repute. These are the wealthy and high-class members of society.
To anticipate some of the VIP services are personalized seating compartments, a bar, television entertainments, and a bar. The VIP class is the most expensive of the three options.
This class is also for those persons who value style and elegance. The trappings that come along with this class are way too fantastic to be forfeited.
What to know before getting the Mykonos to Santorini Ferry?
To guarantee a safe journey from Mykonos to Santorini, you have to get several things right.
The following are some of the issues you have to consider and sort out if you ever hope to make the trip a worthwhile experience:
What is the travel duration from Mykonos to Santorini?
Two kinds of ferries ply the Mykonos to the Santorini route.
These are the conventional and the high-speed ferries, respectively. The traditional ferries take the ‘normal’ duration of travel.
If you opt to travel via this ferry, you should anticipate reaching your destination in the standard 2 hours and 35 minutes.
On the other hand, the high-speed ferry is so-called because it is designed to expedite the time of travel.
You will take up to 50% less time to get to your destination if you choose this kind of ferry. You will nevertheless part with more money.
The website lists and updates the schedules of the various ferry companies, the routes they ply, the services they offer, and their start and end times.
Which ports in Santorini are used for Mykonos ferries?
Both Mykonos and Santorini have several ports where the ferries might depart or dock. This is understandable because they are islands.
However, most ferries that ply the Mykonos to Santorini route choose to do so on specific ports.
The main port of call at Mykonos is that of Paros. Most journeys that ply the route starts here.
When they get to Santorini Island, they opt to dock mainly at Fira port.
A few of them do terminate their journeys at the port of Athinios, though. Be sure to ascertain the same ports of call as you book your ticket to avoid confusion.
What is the tickets cost for Mykonos to Santorini Ferry?
Generally speaking, the trip costs somewhere from €57 to €110.
The exact cost of travel depends on several factors.
The time of the year you choose to travel, the class you choose to travel in, the time of day, and the speed of travel you choose all affect the final amount of money.
Peak traveling season, like Christmas festivities, will usually see a surge in the cost of travel.
The same case applies to VIP class and the early mornings and evenings. Off-peak seasons and daytimes are, however, cheaper.
This is also true for the deck and the economy classes. It is up to you to determine the more delicate parameters of travel.
Where to buy a ticker for Mykonos to Santorini ferry
The tickets are not sold at the terminals. They are exclusively sold via the various travel agents that dot the two islands.
You can also buy them on the internet. After purchasing the ticket, you have to visit a travel agent to print out a boarding pass. You cannot use the ticket printout as the boarding pass, unfortunately.
This is Greek law.
To avoid confusion, you have to purchase the tickets beforehand.
This is to prevent last-minute surprises that greet many would-be travelers.
The route does experience many passengers who scramble for the few tickets and seats available.
Things to know for Mykonos to Santorini ferry
Accidents, injuries, and discomforts are never supposed to happen. Indeed everything, including the trip between Mykonos and Santorini, has to be smooth and flawless.
In reality, though, these issues will often arise. This is why you have to prepare yourself psychologically for the same.
Listed and explained below are some of the issues you have to watch out for a while planning to take this trip.
They are the problems and other forms of inconveniences that are ordinarily bound to arise in the process of taking the trip:
Sea Sickness
Perhaps the most common unusual experience for many riders is the seasickness. This is a loss of balance or equilibrium that many first-time riders experience as they utilize the ferries for the first time.
Their inner ears lose the sense of balance and equilibrium that is required for stability. They find it quite inconvenient to stand and walk freely on the ferry if and when this happens.
General Discomforts
In times of high tides, strong waves do bombard the ferry. The bombardments rock the ferry from side to side.
This may often get out of hand if the waves are too strong. At such times, utensils may slip off the tables. You may also feel disturbed and even scared of the possibility of capsizing.
Keep your cool, though, because the route has a very safe track record with almost no major accident from the beginning of time.
Food
All travel classes except the deck and the economy classes entitle you to some food throughout the journey.
These foods come in the forms of refreshments, main course meals, desserts, and snacks. It is up to you to see that you eat the food if you book a class that provides them.
In case you opt for the economy or the deck class, all is not lost. You can still buy these foods separately. This is because the ferries do have several bars, restaurants, fruit parlors, and snack bars.
They do cost a premium, though, so you should make appropriate arrangements for the same.
Sitting Arrangements
As stated, only the deck class has no seats. Every other type entitles you to a sea. Most of the ferries that ply the Mykonos to Santorini route operate the aircraft-type seating arrangement.
They assign each traveler a specific seat. The passenger is expected to stay in that particular seat throughout the journey.
The seats are assigned after the purchase of the ticket and before boarding the ferry.
Ferries Cancellations
If you happen to change your mind at the last minute, you are allowed to cancel your trip. This is, however, subject to several terms and conditions.
Most ferries will only cancel the ticket at specific times of the year. The month of August is the most affected time as it is the windiest.
Others might accept cancellations based on over-booking. Others may take a cancellation on any other ground, assuming they levy a premium for sale.
This means you will not be entitled to a full refund after cancellation.
Where to validate your Mykonos to Santorini ferry ticket?
Those tickets that are booked online have to be validated before being used for travel.
Ticket validation means presenting the online ticket to a human agent for the sake of verifying its authenticity.
This may happen at the various travel agents across the island. It may also occur at the terminal just before embarking on the ferry.
It is essential to validate the ticket before use. Any ticket that is not validated may attract a penalty of around $70.
Where to book ferry tickets for Mykonos to Santorini?
Book the tickets online before your trip by clicking here. That is crucial, especially in high seasons (May to September).
Any other ways to travel to Mykonos and Santorini?
Feel free to check these articles on how to travel from:
- Athens to Mykonos via ferry or flight
- Crete to Santorini via ferry or flight
- Athens to Santorini via ferry or flight
Now you know all things about getting from Mykonos to Santorini
Greece, as stated above, is a premier tourist destination. Its Mediterranean islands are also great to visit.
They offer you access to clean beaches, clean air, abundant sunshine, fabulous getaways, uncrowded facilities, and excellent accommodation facilities.
You must make it a point to pay a visit to the nation at least once in a lifetime. You do not want to miss out on the benefits that the destination has to offer.
It is not enough to know the various ways and means of shuttling between these two great destinations.
It pays to take the extra bold step of scheduling a visit to either destination.
This is why we now urge you to consider squeezing a visit to these destinations on your itinerary.
You also would not wish to visit any of these two destinations alone. You want others to enjoy similar advantages.
That is why we ask you to consider sharing this article far and wide. It is only then that the others will also gain access to these vital pieces of information.