Santorini travel info

An hour before sunset, people are already three deep along the wall of the old castle in Oia, phones raised. White houses cling to the slope as if about to tip into the sea, blue-domed churches sit among them, and below is a drop of almost 300 metres. Santorini is the crescent-shaped rim left behind when a volcano blew apart about 3,600 years ago and its middle collapsed into the sea. That flooded hollow is the caldera, and the villages of Fira, Firostefani, Imerovigli and Oia run along the top of its cliffs. When the sun touches the water, someone starts clapping and everyone joins in.

Cross to the other side of the island and the mood changes. The east and south slope gently down to the long black-sand beaches of Kamari and Perissa, and in the middle the vines are coiled into low baskets on the ground. Assyrtiko white wine, cherry-tomato fritters and the yellow purée called fava all come out of this volcanic soil. Beaches or wineries by day, a cliff-top village at dusk: do it in that order and the day fills itself.

Most visitors fly via Athens, Istanbul or another hub to the island airport (JTR), or take a ferry from Piraeus, the port of Athens. Getting around means KTEL buses that all radiate from Fira, a few dozen taxis, or a rental car or ATV. In February 2025 thousands of earthquakes over several weeks sent more than half the residents off the island for a while, but the state of emergency was lifted in early March and the cruise season opened at the end of that month. Most hotels and restaurants open around Greek Easter in April and close at the end of October, so if you come between November and March, expect peace and quiet but far fewer places open.

Santorini (Thira) International Airport (JTR)

• KTEL bus (Airport ↔ Fira): About 20 minutes to Fira bus station · €2.20 one way (KTEL fare table, May 2026); €2.80 at night (00:30–05:00)
• Taxi: About 15 minutes to Fira, 25–30 to Oia, plus time in the queue · About €30–40 to Fira (2025, check on the day); more to Oia. An airport surcharge applies.
• Pre-booked hotel or private transfer: About 15 minutes to Fira, 25–30 to Oia · Per vehicle, usually more than a taxi (varies by company, group size and time; confirm when booking)

Athinios Port (ferries) (PORT)

• Ferry (Athens Piraeus or Rafina ↔ Santorini): About 4–5 hours by fast boat, 7–9 by conventional ferry, calling at Naxos, Paros and others · Varies widely by company, boat type, seat class and date; check booking sites or the ferry line
• KTEL bus (Athinios ↔ Fira): Around 30 minutes to Fira, depending on the climb and traffic · €2.70 one way (KTEL fare table, May 2026)
• Taxi or transfer: About 20–30 minutes to Fira, 40 to Oia · Few taxis, so haggling is common; agree transfer prices when booking (check on the day)

Fira Old Port (cruise tenders & cable car) (CRUISE)

• Cable car (Old Port ↔ Fira): About 3 minutes' ride; 30 minutes to an hour or more in line on cruise days · One way: adults €10, children €5, €5 per piece of luggage (operator's 2025 price list)
• Cruise tender boats: Around 10–20 minutes from ship to old port, plus waiting · Included in the cruise. Since July 2025 a per-passenger cruise levy applies (€20 June–September, €12 April, May and October, lower in winter), usually paid by the cruise line and built into the fare

• Visa: Visa-free 90/180 days; EES biometrics
• Getting there by air: No nonstop; 16–22 hrs via Athens etc.
• Time zone: UTC+2 (UTC+3 in summer)
• Currency: Euro; buses are cash only
• Paying: Cards fine; always pay in euros
• Power: 230V; Types C and F
• Language: Greek; English widely spoken
• Internet: No restrictions; EU eSIM is easiest
• Emergencies: 112; police 100; ambulance 166
• Best time: May–Jun, Sept–Oct