How to Travel From Santorini to Mykonos by Ferry and Plane

With Santorini and Mykonos—two of the most tourist-popular destinations in the Cyclades—being only 73 miles (117 kilometers) apart, it makes perfect sense to bounce between them on your trip to the Greek Islands. Getting from one to the other can be as quick as an hour and cheap as $30, but the commute will take some planning.

Firstly, you shouldn't expect to make a day trip of it. Even if you happened to snag an elusive direct flight both ways, you probably wouldn't have enough time to properly explore the island in a single day what with security checkpoints, ground transportation, and so forth. A round-trip commute by ferry, on the other hand, would take five hours.

What Is the Cheapest Way to Get From Santorini to Mykonos? 

While you can sometimes find flights for the same price, ferry rides are cheaper across the board. Several companies run high-speed ferries and jet boats between the islands during peak tourist season (summer) and ticket prices vary depending on which you book with. Golden Star Ferries, Minoan Lines, and Seajets offer a high-speed option (between two and three hours), while larger liners may take longer. A slower, off-season trip could cost you as little as $30, while quicker journeys (like Seajets' under-two-hours trip) could cost upwards of $70. The ferries depart daily and year-round from Santorini's Athinios port on the west side of the island and arrive via Mykonos' Old Port and New Port. The former is used by small ferries and the latter is more frequented by larger, car-carrying vessels. Santorini's far-south location makes it the end of the ferry line, so boats begin departing from here late in the morning, around 10 a.m. and usually stop running by 4 p.m.

What Is the Fastest Way to Get From Santorini to Mykonos? 

Direct flights from Santorini Airport to Mykonos International come and go. In 2017, for instance, there was only one per week. In 2019, there weren't any at all. If you're hoping for a faster alternative to ferrying, keep your eye on Aegean Air and the Greek domestic airline Sky Express, which have offered nonstop flights in the past. With no stops, the trip takes an hour to 90 minutes, but that doesn't include ground transportation, security, and boarding times. More often than not, flights from Santorini to Mykonos include a layover at another airport in the Greek Islands, which can take two or more hours. If that's the case, you're better off taking an easy ferry ride. Regardless, flights can cost $30 to $100-plus, depending on the time of year and how far in advance you book.

If money is no object, you can hop between the two in as little as 30 minutes via helicopter. These air taxis hold up to six people and cost more than $3,000 per private trip. Check the Greek Air Taxi Network for more details.

When Is the Best Time to Travel to Mykonos? 

The best time to travel to Mykonos is during September and October, after peak tourist season fizzles out, but while the weather is still nice and warm. You're likely to find deals on accommodation and travel towards the end of the summer and in the fall, too. No matter when you go, though, you shouldn't have any trouble finding a ferry or a flight to take you from Santorini to Mykonos. Boats and trains operate year-round.

Can I Use Public Transportation to Travel From the Airport? 

Mykonos' public bus service, KTEL, operates several routes from the airport to the town center. The bus to Mykonos Town (Chora) departs nearly a dozen times a day during peak season, stopping at Fabrika bus station and Mykonos' two ports. The bus takes about 20 minutes and costs $2 to ride.

What Is There to Do in Mykonos? 

Famous for its stacked whitewash buildings and crystalline beaches, Mykonos is romantic, luxurious, and notoriously boozy. It's a party paradise for the rich and famous and has been for decades, but you don't have to be a Hollywoodite to partake. When you're not raving and popping champagne, you can hop over to the nearby island of Delos for some history. Decorated with ancient ruins, this is one of the most important archaeological sites in all of Greece. Back on the main island of Mykonos, there are plenty of museums to wander into, beaches to lounge on, and historical sites to explore. The Mykonos windmills are iconic and make for a pretty spectacular photo op.