4 Ways How To Get From Crete To Santorini (Greece)

Are you wondering how to get from Crete to Santorini? I have been to Santorini with my Mother-in-law for a day trip from Crete. Let me share with you the different ways how you can visit this popular Greek island.

Going to Santorini from Crete should not be a challenge! These two destinations are well-connected, even though the Aegean Sea separates them. 

You can reach Santorini from Crete by ferry, flight, tour and helicopter. The flight distance between Crete and Santorini is 150 kilometers or 93 miles while the direct distance is 141 kilometres or 88 miles. It takes about 2 hours to travel this distance by ferry. 

Ready to see why this Greek island is on every traveller’s bucket list? Get ready for this trip of a lifetime and experience what Santorini has to offer!

How to get from Crete to Santorini

OPTION 1: How to get from Crete to Santorini by Ferry

• Travel Duration: about 1 hour and 50 minutes
• Travel Fare: from £14.01

Travelling by ferry from Crete to Santorini is the most common option used by both locals and visitors. There are many ways in which you can arrive in Santorini by sea.

You can depart from Heraklion, Rethymno, or Sitia in Crete and then arrive at Thira (Cyclades Islands, Santorini.) SeaJets, Minoan Lines, Cyclades Fast Ferries, and Blue Star Ferries are four companies that service these courses.

Here is a sample timetable of the different routes:

Ferry from Heraklion (Crete) to Thira (Santorini)

	DEPARTURE	ARRIVAL	DURATION	FERRY	FARE
From Heraklion	8:45 am	10:35 am	1 hour 50 minutes	Naxos Jet	£68.28
From Heraklion	10:45 pm	1:55 am	3 hours 10 minutes	Blue Star Chios	£14.01

Ferry from Sitia (Crete) to Thira (Santorini)

	DEPARTURE	ARRIVAL	DURATION	FERRY	FARE
From Sitia	2:20 am	7:05 am	4 hours 45 minutes	Blue Star Chios	£19.26
From Sitia	17:20 pm	1:55 am	6 hours 35 minutes	Blue Star Chios	£19.26

All the details mentioned above are applicable for foot passengers. Should you wish to bring your vehicle with you, it is possible to do so. The vehicles that can be brought with you during your trip are as follows:

• Car
• Camper or Motorhome
• Motorcycle and Sidecar
• Motorcycle
• Minibus

Please note that only one vehicle is permitted for every booking. You also have to declare if there is a caravan or trailer that will go with the vehicle.

You can also bring your pet with you, but right now it is only limited to dogs. You as the passenger are responsible that all regulations and requirements are met prior to boarding. Make sure to bring original documents of your dog’s permits, etc.

Booking in advance is essential if you would like to score the best deals for your trip from Crete to Santorini. Direct Ferries has all the most cost-efficient offers from major ferry companies summarized in one go so you can do proper comparison. 

If you are in a rush to get to Santorini from Crete, I recommend that you book a high-speed catamaran. These are the ones that can get you there in as fast as 1 hour and 50 minutes. Schedules are limited and fares are way higher than traditional ferries, so do your best to check on timings and corresponding prices ahead of time.

OPTION 2: How to get from Crete to Santorini by Flight

• Travel Duration: about 2 hours and 25 minutes
• Travel Fare: from £79

You can fly from Crete to Santorini, but this will not be a direct flight. From Crete Chania, CHQ Greece, you will have to stop at Athens International, ATH Greece. From there, you will ride another aircraft which will bring you to Santorini (Thira), JTR Greece. 

Flights are available for booking at Skyscanner. Aegean Airlines, Ryanair, Olympic Air and Sky Express are the leading transport providers when it comes to flying between Crete and Santorini. 

Below is a snapshot of how it looks like to travel by air from CHQ to JTR:

Flight from Chania (Crete) to Thira (Santorini)

	DEPARTURE	ARRIVAL	DURATION	FARE
Earliest trip	7:20 am	10:50 am	3 hours 30 minutes	£153
Cheapest trip	11:59 pm	7:45 am	7 hours 46 minutes	£79
Fastest trip	9:30 am	11:55 am	2 hours 25 minutes	£93
Latest trip	7:25 pm	10:30 pm	3 hours 5 minutes	£93

If you do not mind the transfer, flying from Crete to Santorini will be a rewarding one especially if you prefer air travel over land travel.

OPTION 3: How to get from Crete to Santorini by Tour

• Travel Duration: about 2 hours and 25 minutes
• Travel Fare: from £156.14

The best and most cost-efficient mode of transport, if you ask me, is a full-day tour from Crete to Santorini. Get Your Guide has this tour by boat travelling the Cretan Sea towards the island of Santorini.

This tour includes a door-to-door arrangement so you don’t have to worry about getting to the harbor. Board the boat and sail forth until you finally see the white houses of Fira. You can choose to explore the beautiful town of Oia as well. 

Your day can be spent going to a taverna, relaxing on the beach or immersing in the local scene. Your experienced local guide will be with the group from the moment you leave Crete up until it is time to head back from Santorini.

If you wish, you can also start the tour from Rethymno, Heraklion or Chania. There is also an option to book the whole boat privately for your travelling party. This allows you to explore Santorini at your own pace. The price for this option starts at £2,565.18 for a group of 6.

OPTION 4: How to get from Crete to Santorini by Helicopter

• Travel Duration: from 45 minutes
• Travel Fare: from £6,348.62 for a group of 2

If you are travelling to Santorini from Crete on a special occasion or if you simply would like to arrive in style, why not get a helicopter to take you there?

This private transfer, bookable via Get Your Guide, takes you hovering over the Aegean Sea and the Greek Islands. This mode of transport is flexible; you can schedule a helicopter ride at your most preferred date and time as long as weather conditions permit.

This service includes hotel pickup so you do not need to think of how to get to the Chania Heliport. A professional pilot will take you to the Greek Island of your choice before heading back to Crete. 

Keep in mind that this private helicopter ride is one-way. The maximum number of passengers is 4. 

More About Santorini, Greece

• Excited about your trip to Santorini from Crete? I have listed down all the best things to do on this beautiful volcanic island. The list includes watching the sunset in the Caldera, swimming in the volcano crater, and visiting the town of Oia.
• One of the best things to do in Crete is go on a day trip to Santorini. Santorini is just around two hours away from Crete via high-speed catamaran.
• My DIY travel itinerary to Crete, Greece includes a day trip to Santorini. I rode a two-hour ferry ride to this gorgeous island and spent my Day 6 exploring the area.

FAQs on How to Get from Crete to Santorini, Greece