Mykonos to Santorini: ferries, flights and helicopter transfers

Scattered like a handful of jewels across the Aegean Sea, the Greek islands draw travelers who want to explore their legendary beauty, fascinating culture and delicious food. Mykonos, more than 100 miles from Athens by air, is one of the most popular islands in the Cyclades.

The distance between Mykonos and Santorini is around 147 km (91 miles).

From its famous windmills to its lively nightlife, Mykonos has something for every kind of traveler. Its popularity is an advantage when you travel between the islands, because in the high season there are usually plenty of departures and flexible options.

Ferries from Mykonos to Santorini

Most travelers agree that the best way to travel from Mykonos to Santorini is on one of the many ferries that sail between the islands every day. The high season in Greece is in the summer months, and if you're traveling then, book your ferry as soon as possible to be sure of a seat.

Timetables are usually published 30 to 60 days before departure. Book at least a few days before you plan to leave the island.

Hellenic Seaways

Hellenic Seaways runs both conventional ferries and high-speed catamarans between the islands. Timetables can change without notice, but from April to September 2022 the crossing from Mykonos to Santorini generally took about three hours, including stops at other islands on the way.

• Flying Cat 4: daily departures from Mykonos at 9:35 am, arriving in Santorini by noon. When the season is in full swing, usually from the start of June, extra Tuesday and Wednesday sailings are added.
• Highspeed 7: a larger ferry leaving Mykonos at 13:50 and arriving in Santorini by 16:30, from March to 30 September 2022.

SeaJets

SeaJets' smaller catamarans can often get you to Santorini faster than the larger boats of other companies, but they can feel a little cramped if you have a lot of luggage.

• SeaJet 2: daily from March to October, leaving Mykonos at 9:45 and arriving in Santorini at 11:50.
• Champion Jet 1: leaves Mykonos at 9:40 and arrives in Santorini at 11:55.

Alternatives to the high-speed catamarans

Catamarans are quick, but they have no outdoor decks and can be bumpy on rough days. If you don't mind changing boats, you can take a catamaran from Mykonos to Paros or Naxos, then switch to a conventional ferry for a more relaxed final leg.

To do this, take one of the routes above and board a Blue Star Ferries ship for the last stretch to Santorini. With this option you'll arrive at around 15:10.

Ferries from Santorini to Mykonos

The same rules apply in the other direction. Timetables are published a month or two before departure, and you should book at least a few days before you want to leave.

Santorini is often the last island on the ferry routes, which makes it a natural hub for island hopping. The journey from Santorini to Mykonos takes around three hours.

Golden Star Ferries

From May to October, Golden Star Ferries sails from Santorini to Mykonos via Ios, Naxos and Paros.

• SuperFerry: a high-speed ferry that sails between the islands throughout the high season, except on Fridays.

Hellenic Seaways

• Highspeed 7: leaves Santorini at 11:00 and arrives in Mykonos at 13:30.

SeaJets

SeaJets sails this route all year, adding extra days in the busy season.

• SuperJet: a high-speed catamaran leaving Santorini at 12:25 and arriving in Mykonos at 14:35.

Where to book ferry tickets

The easiest way to buy ferry tickets is on the island itself. Travel agents can help you plan your trip, and you can often buy tickets at short notice. In the busy months of July and August, though, tickets sometimes sell out, so it's a good idea to book as far ahead as possible.

You can also check ferry timetables and book tickets online with Ferryhopper.

Flights between Mykonos and Santorini

A ferry is the most scenic way to travel between the islands, but if you're short of time you can fly. Each year, airlines and charter companies publish their flights between Mykonos and Santorini, usually several a week, all with a connection. Flights can be very popular in the high season, so book early, especially if an airline has only one flight a week.

British Airways and Aegean Airlines have sometimes offered flights between the two islands, but with connections in London and Tel Aviv respectively, so they're neither the most convenient nor the cheapest way to go.

Flights from Santorini to Mykonos (2022)

• Ellinair: an evening flight of about three hours, with a short stop in Thessaloniki.
• Olympic Air: a morning flight of about two hours, with a connection in Athens.
• Sky Express: an evening flight of about three hours, with a connection in Athens.
• Aegean Airlines: a morning flight with a short connection in Athens.

Flights from Mykonos to Santorini (2022)

• Olympic Air: an evening flight of about two hours, with a connection in Athens.
• Ellinair: an evening flight with an overnight stop of about 19 hours at Thessaloniki airport.
• Sky Express: an evening flight of about two hours, with a short connection in Athens.
• Aegean Airlines: a morning flight, with connections in Athens of varying length.

You can also check flight times and book tickets online at airtickets.com.

Helicopter flights between Mykonos and Santorini

For a trip that's as exciting as the destination, fly between the islands by private helicopter. The flight takes about 40 minutes and gives you sweeping views of the Aegean and spectacular views of Santorini from the air. Greece Holiday Tours offers a range of convenient times and options between the two islands.

Play video: TRAVEL VLOG: GREECE, Santorini & Mykonos (YouTube)

These windswept, rocky islands rising from the blue Aegean have welcomed travelers for thousands of years. With easy ferry, catamaran and helicopter connections between Mykonos and Santorini, you can enjoy every moment of the journey.