Ferries from Santorini to Mykonos and Ios: times, companies and prices (2026)
The Cyclades' favourite trio: how long the crossings take, which companies sail, what it costs, and what runs only in season. Includes a suggested route and tips.
- Santorini–Mykonos: about 2 to 3¼ hours, from about €75, late March to October only.
- Santorini–Ios: 35 minutes to about 2 hours, all year; about 4 a week in winter.
- All Santorini ferries use Athinios, about 8 km from Fira. Arrive an hour early.
For island hopping, book ferries ahead in July–August, leave a spare day before your flight because of wind, and check strikes before sailing.
How do you get from Santorini to Mykonos and Ios?
Santorini, Ios and Mykonos are a popular Cyclades island-hopping trio. They are linked by ferries, mostly high-speed, mostly in season. The big difference: Ios has ferries all year, while the direct Santorini–Mykonos route runs only from late March to October.
In Santorini all ferries leave from Athinios port, about 8 km from Fira. In Mykonos they arrive at the new port (Tourlos), and in Ios at Gialos port, about 2 km from town.
Santorini–Mykonos: times, companies and prices
According to Ferries in Greece (based on previous years' data; check current timetables):
| Company | Crossing | Standard seat (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Seajets | about 1h55 | from €75.50 |
| Golden Star Ferries | about 2h55 | from €78.50 |
| Blue Star Ferries | about 3h10 | from €82 |
- Frequency: at least 5 sailings a day in peak season, from morning to early evening.
- Season: late March to October. In winter there's no direct route; go via Piraeus or other islands, or fly via Athens.
- Discounts: for children up to 10, students and large families, with documents.
Santorini–Ios: the short hop
| Vessel | Crossing |
|---|---|
| High-speed (Seajets) | 35–50 minutes |
| Conventional ferry | about 1h20 |
| Small Cyclades (island stops) | about 1h50 |
- Frequency: 3–6 sailings a day in summer; about 4 a week in winter.
- Price: standard seats from about €8.70 to €63.50 depending on the vessel. Conventional ferries are much cheaper than high-speed ones.
Ios–Mykonos
In season high-speed boats link Ios and Mykonos, sometimes stopping at Naxos or Paros. Out of season connections are sparse. Check booking sites for your date.
Which order should you go in?
- A common route: Athens → Mykonos → (Paros or Naxos) → Ios → Santorini, then fly back to Athens from Santorini.
- Santorini and Mykonos both have airports, so you can start at one and finish at the other. See Greek islands with direct flights from Israel.
- Ios suits young travellers and party-goers more than families with small children.
Key tips for the crossing
- Get to the port an hour early. Athinios has heavy traffic on the road down to the port.
- Weather: summer meltemi winds can cancel or delay high-speed boats. Leave a spare day before a flight.
- Strikes: check today's strikes before sailing.
- Car: vehicles need a separate ticket, and some rental firms don't allow their cars on ferries.
- Luggage: usually up to 40 kg, with storage on board.
- Booking: in July–August book early. More in our complete guide to ferries in Greece and ferry from Athens to Santorini.
FAQ
How long is the ferry from Santorini to Mykonos? Between about two and three and a quarter hours. Seajets takes about 1h55 and Blue Star about 3h10.
Is there a Santorini–Mykonos ferry in winter? Not a direct one. The route runs from late March to October. In winter go via Piraeus or fly via Athens.
How long is the ferry from Santorini to Ios? 35–50 minutes by high-speed boat and about 1h20 by conventional ferry. It runs all year, about 4 times a week in winter.
Which port do Santorini ferries leave from? Athinios, about 8 km from Fira. Arrive an hour early, as the road to the port gets congested.
