Mykonos to Santorini Ferry 2026

Mykonos to Santorini Onboard Facilities & Accommodation Options

The Mykonos to Santorini (Thira) ferry is operated exclusively by high-speed vessels, and both SeaJets and Golden Star Ferries offer a well-appointed onboard experience with multiple seating and accommodation classes. With a crossing time of 2 hours 10 minutes to 3 hours 35 minutes, the onboard experience is short but sweet, though it has plenty of amenities to keep passengers occupied throughout the journey.

Accommodation Tiers

Economy / standard seats

The most affordable option, with assigned numbered seating in an air-conditioned passenger cabin. Perfectly comfortable for the short crossing, and the right choice for budget-conscious travelers or those happy to spend the journey at their seat with a snack and a view through the cabin windows.

Business class seats

Available on SeaJets and Golden Star Ferries, offering wider, more comfortable seating with additional legroom and typically a more premium location within the vessel. A popular upgrade for couples and travelers who want more space without the privacy of a cabin.

Platinum class lounge

Available on SeaJets flagship vessels, offering an exclusive premium lounge with premium seating, enhanced service, and a more refined onboard environment.

Inside cabins

Private windowless cabins available on SeaJets, Blue Star Ferries and Golden Star Ferries, offering complete privacy for the crossing. This is a great choice for couples or passengers who want to rest, work, or travel without the noise and activity of the shared passenger cabin.

Outside cabins

Private cabins with a porthole or window, the premium accommodation option on this route. Available with SeaJets, Blue Star Ferries and Golden Star Ferries and offering natural light and sea views. An attractive option for those wanting to savor the Aegean crossing in comfort and arrive in Santorini relaxed and refreshed.

Onboard Facilities

Snack bar/café

Available with all operators, offering hot and cold drinks, coffee, snacks, and light meals.

Air-conditioned passenger lounges

All vessels feature multiple air-conditioned cabin lounges with assigned or open seating depending on class. SeaJets' larger vessels have separate economy, business, and platinum lounges with varying levels of comfort and service.

Kids' area

Available on SeaJets larger vessels, providing a dedicated space for families traveling with young children.

Vehicle deck

All conventional ferries accommodate cars and motorcycles. Passengers leave their vehicles during the crossing and move to the passenger lounges or cabin areas for the duration of the sailing.

Wi-Fi

Available on most vessels on this route. SeaJets and Golden Star Ferries both offer Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing passengers to stay connected during the crossing. Check with your specific operator for current availability and whether a charge applies.

Port Information for Mykonos and Santorini (Thira)

Mykonos New Port (Tourlos Ferry Terminal)

All ferries from Mykonos to Santorini depart from the New Port of Mykonos, located in the Tourlos area approximately 2–3 km north of Mykonos Town (Chora). This is the island's main ferry terminal for all conventional and high-speed ferries.

The port has a range of facilities, including ticket offices, ATMs, a mini-market, a café, car rental desks, and a taxi stand. Do not travel to the Old Port for ferry departures, as it no longer handles ferry services and is used exclusively by private yachts and excursion boats to Delos.

Getting to the New Port from Mykonos Town

Sea Bus

The Mykonos SeaBus is the most convenient and enjoyable way to travel between Mykonos Town (Old Port) and the New Port at Tourlos. It departs every 30 minutes from around 08:00 to 23:00, with a journey time of around 8–15 minutes. The SeaBus is wheelchair-friendly and the most reliable public transport option between town and the port, particularly in peak season when traffic around Tourlos can be congested.

Bus (KTEL)

Local KTEL buses connect the New Port from the Old Port and Fabrika bus station in Mykonos Town. Services operate from approximately 09:00 to 23:00 in season at a price of approximately €2.

Taxi / private transfer

Taxis on Mykonos are strictly limited in number and can be very difficult to secure during peak season. Pre-booking a private transfer to the New Port is strongly recommended for morning ferry departures in July and August.

Boarding: As a general rule of thumb, arrive at the New Port at least 45–60 minutes before departure if traveling on foot and approximately 90 minutes when traveling with a vehicle. During peak summer months, the Tourlos New Port handles multiple departures and arrivals and can become very busy, so arriving early gives you enough time to locate your specific berth and complete the boarding procedure without rushing.

Thira Port (Athinios Ferry Terminal, Santorini)

All ferries from Mykonos arrive at Athinios Port, Santorini's main ferry terminal, located approximately 8 km south of Fira. The arrival at Athinios from the sea is one of the most spectacular port approaches in Europe. The caldera walls tower above, and the white and blue villages of Fira and Oia are visible on the distant clifftops.

The port has a wide range of facilities, including ticket offices, an information point, ATMs, a mini-market, car and scooter rental agencies, and a taxi and bus area. Please be aware that some smaller ferries may use the Old Port at Skala Fira rather than Athinios. It's always best to confirm your arrival terminal on your booking confirmation before travel.

Transport Links from Athinios Port

Bus (KTEL Santorini)

KTEL buses depart from a stop directly above the port entrance, with services heading to Fira, Oia, Perissa, Kamari, and other main villages. Buses are timed around ferry arrivals and operate frequently in high season, with fares costing around €2.00–€2.50 per journey. The bus is the cheapest and often fastest way to reach Fira, though the narrow access road from Athinios can cause delays when multiple ferries arrive at once in peak season.

Taxi

A taxi rank is located at the port, though taxis on Santorini are limited in number and extremely difficult to secure in peak summer after large ferry arrivals. Pre-booking a private transfer via your accommodation is strongly recommended for July and August arrivals.

Car and scooter rental

Several agencies operate from within the port area and in Fira, with vehicle pickup at Athinios available on pre-booking. Renting a car or ATV is one of the best ways to explore Santorini, particularly if you wish to visit remote beaches and the spectacular southern tip of the island around Akrotiri and the Red Beach.

The access road connecting Athinios Port with the main island road above is narrow, steep, and can become heavily congested when multiple ferries arrive at once. Please ensure that you allow extra time for onward road transport if you have an appointment, a restaurant reservation, or an onward connection to meet shortly after arrival. Hotels in Santorini frequently offer private port pickup services, so contact your accommodation in advance of arrival to arrange this.

Traveling with pets on the ferry from Mykonos to Santorini (Thira)

Pet owners will be pleased to know that pets are allowed on ferries from Mykonos to Thira with SeaJets & Golden Star Ferries. As this is a domestic Greek route, documentation requirements are very simple.

Required Documentation

EU pet passport

As both Mykonos and Santorini are within Greece and the EU, an EU pet passport is the standard required document. This document confirms your pet's identity, microchip number, and vaccination history, and is required by ferry operators on this domestic Greek route.

Up-to-date rabies vaccination record

Proof of valid rabies vaccination must be recorded in the EU pet passport. Ensure all vaccinations are current and documented before travel.

Microchip identification

Your pet must be microchipped in compliance with ISO standards. The microchip must have been implanted before, or on the same day as, the first rabies vaccination.

Declaration at time of booking

Passengers traveling with pets must declare their animal at the time of ticket booking. For dogs, cats, and ferrets, a valid rabies vaccination certificate is compulsory. Each passenger can travel with a maximum of 5 pets, all vaccinated and with a valid health book.

An EU pet passport is a uniform document that certifies your pet's identity, microchip number, and vaccination history, required for travel between EU member states. It is issued by a licensed veterinarian in any EU country and serves as the definitive record of your pet's health and travel eligibility on domestic and international routes.

Pet Accommodation

On most Mykonos to Santorini (Thira) ferries, small pets weighing under 10 kg may remain with their owner in the passenger cabin. Larger dogs weighing over 10 kg must wear a leash and muzzle in public areas and are typically urged to use the kennels provided onboard.

As both SeaJets and Golden Star Ferries on this route operate high-speed vessels without open deck access during the crossing, larger pets will need to remain in the kennel area for the entirety of the sailing. Passengers traveling with a vehicle may also be able to keep pets in their car on the vehicle deck. This can be confirmed with your operator during the booking process.

Accessibility & special assistance on the Mykonos to Santorini (Thira) ferry

Passengers with reduced mobility traveling on the Mykonos to Santorini (Thira) ferry route should contact their operator directly at the time of booking to arrange appropriate assistance. SeaJets, Blue Star Ferries and Golden Star Ferries all have amenities for passengers with disabilities on most vessels providing this route. However, the compact design of high-speed catamarans can present some challenges in contrast to larger conventional ferries.

Accessibility Provisions

Adapted cabins

Available on select vessels, featuring wider doorways and grab rails for passengers with reduced mobility. These should be requested and confirmed at the time of booking, as they are limited in number and reserved quickly on peak summer sailings.

Wheelchair-accessible passenger areas

Most vessels on this route have amenities for passengers with disabilities, with accessible seating and boarding assistance available.

Priority boarding

Passengers with reduced mobility are usually given priority boarding ahead of general passengers. Please contact your operator in advance to arrange this.

Gangway assistance

Staff assistance boarding and disembarking is available upon request. This is particularly helpful at Athinios Port in Santorini, where the port layout and gangway configuration can vary by berth, and the steep access road above the port can be challenging for passengers with limited mobility.

Vehicle deck access

Passengers traveling with a car who have mobility needs may, in some cases, be allowed to remain closer to their vehicle during the crossing. However, this option must be confirmed with your operator beforehand, as it varies by vessel.

Always notify your operator of any accessibility or special assistance requirements at the time of booking rather than at the port. The Mykonos SeaBus, which connects the New Port with Mykonos Town, is also wheelchair accessible and can be used by passengers with reduced mobility. You can also contact Direct Ferries customer support for guidance on accessible ferry options on the Mykonos to Santorini (Thira) route.

Practical Travel Tips for Mykonos to Santorini (Thira) Ferry Passengers

Book as early as possible

The Mykonos to Santorini ferry is one of the most popular connections in Greece, with sailings filling quickly in peak season. Reserve tickets at least 4–6 weeks in advance if you are traveling in July and August.

Arrive at the New Port well in advance

Plan to arrive at the Tourlos New Port at least 45–60 minutes before departure if traveling on foot and approximately 90 minutes when traveling with a vehicle.

Know your departure port

All ferries to Santorini depart from the New Port at Tourlos, not the Old Port. The two ports are located 2–3 km apart and serve entirely different vessels. Arriving at the Old Port for a ferry will mean missing your sailing.

Choose your class

Economy seating is more than adequate for a 2–3 hour crossing, but on a busy midsummer sailing with a full passenger cabin, upgrading to business class or booking a cabin makes a noticeable difference in comfort.

Carry ID and documentation

Keep your passport or EU ID card, pet documentation, and any discount eligibility proof accessible at check-in. Although this is a domestic Greek route, an ID is required for boarding all ferries in Greece.

Compare operators before booking

SeaJets, Blue Star Ferries and Golden Star Ferries offer different departure times, crossing durations, and prices on this route. Use Direct Ferries to view all operators, sailing times, and live fares side by side before booking your Mykonos to Santorini ferry.

Check sea conditions

The central Aegean between Mykonos and Santorini can be affected by strong winds in July and August. High-speed catamarans can be delayed or cancelled in adverse weather conditions. Both Mykonos and Santorini have airports in the event of a prolonged cancellation, making this one of the few island routes with a viable air alternative, though flights are significantly more expensive and should be treated as a contingency.

Use this crossing as the centerpiece of a Cyclades itinerary

Mykonos and Santorini are the two most visited islands in Greece, and the ferry between them is the natural spine of any Greece island-hopping trip. From Santorini, you can continue by ferry to Crete, Ios, Paros, Naxos, and beyond. From Mykonos, you can reach Piraeus, Paros, Naxos, Tinos, and Syros. Building your wider Greek island itinerary around this central connection gives you maximum flexibility.