From Mykonos to Santorini

You can get from Mykonos to Santorini, and of course from Santorini to Mykonos, by ferry, by plane or even by helicopter.

Mykonos is about 150 km (93 miles) due north of Santorini and the two islands are connected by ferry, by domestic flights, and by helicopter. Ferry is obviously the easiest and cheapest option, but we wanted to cover all your choices.

Cruise Ships off Santorini

How Long Does It Take to Get from Mykonos to Santorini by Ferry?

The ferries between Mykonos and Santorini take 2-3 hours, sometimes a little longer, depending which kind of ferry you take and the route they take.

Some ferries are direct and some stop at other islands on the way, such as Paros, Naxos, and Ios. There’s usually very little difference in the fares so if you’re island-hopping on a budget you won’t save anything by choosing to take a longer ferry ride.

Greek FerryHow to Get from Mykonos to Santorini by Ferry

Ferries between Mykonos and Santorini only operate in the holiday season, roughly from March to October. If you’re travelling in either of those two months, double-check the details and don’t assume there’ll be a ferry every day.

There are no high-speed hydrofoils between the two islands although the regular ferries are usually fast catamarans – faster than a regular ferry but not quite high-speed.

Several different ferry companies operate services between Santorini and Mykonos, so it can pay to shop around for cheaper fares or times that are more convenient for you. Rather than go to each separate website, it’s much easier to use an online timetable and booking service that searches all the available ferry lines for you.

Little Venice in Mykonos Town
Little Venice in Mykonos Town

How to Get from Mykonos to Santorini by Plane

There are also direct flights between Mykonos and Santorini throughout the summer season. Airlines include Flydubai, TUI Fly, Aegean Airlines, SKY express and Volotea.

Flight time is usually around an hour and although it’s obviously much more expensive than the ferry, it’s not overly pricey. At the height of the season you’ll find at least 1-2 flights a day, with several flights a week at less busy times.

Oia on Santorini
Oia on Santorini

How to Get from Mykonos to Santorini by Helicopter

There’s no doubt that the most spectacular way to get from Mykonos to Santorini is by helicopter. Imagine arriving on Santorini that way, especially if it’s a first visit. It’s definitely something to be regarded as a special occasion treat, though, for most people, like a honeymoon or big birthday.

The price is several hundred euros, but despite that the flights do fill up quickly, so don’t wait till you’re actually on Mykonos or Santorini to book. You might strike lucky, but don’t bank on it.

To start your search for helicopter flights between Mykonos and Santorini visit the websites of Helistar, Icarus, The Greek AirTaxi Network, and HeliAlpha. Some companies also operate tours of each island by helicopter, if you don’t want to fly between them but just want to enjoy the spectacular views.