The Best Way to Get From Crete to Santorini

If you’re looking to explore the stunning Santorini, you’ll need to know how to get there! Crete and Santorini are two of the most popular tourist destinations in Greece and for good reason. Crete is home to some of the best beaches in Europe, while Santorini is known for its dramatic cliffs and iconic whitewashed villages.

Getting from Crete to Santorini is actually quite easy and there are a few different options to choose from. The most popular option is taking a ferry, which takes about 2 to 3 hours. You can also fly or take a guided tour. No matter how you choose to get to Santorini, you’re sure to have an amazing time exploring this beautiful island!

3 Best Ways getting from Crete to Santorini

If you’re planning a trip from Crete to Santorini, you basically have three options: take a ferry, fly or join an organised tour.

Ferries from Crete to Santorini depart from Rethymno and Heraklion. Unfortunately, there are no direct flights from Crete to Santorini at the moment, but this could always change in the future.

In my opinion, the best way to get from Crete to Santorini is by taking an organised tour. This way, you can sit back and relax while somebody else takes care of all the details and logistics. Plus, most organised tours will also pick you up and drop you off at your hotel in Crete, which is very convenient.

Getting From Crete to Santorini with a Daytrip Tour

An organized day trip to Santorini from Crete is your best option as the operator will pick you up and drop you off at your hotel. They will also guide you around Santorini on a private bus, so you don’t have to worry about local buses or taxis.

All guided day trips from Crete to Santorini include transportation to and from your hotel, as well as a bus tour around Santorini. You will have approximately 6-7 hours on the island, during which you can explore Fira, Oia, and other popular tourist destinations.

These are the best day trips to Santorini from Crete that you can book online:

• FROM HERAKLION to Santorini Daytrip – enjoy a luxury cruise from Heraklion and a comfortable bus ride in Santorini. Snap memorable photos of Oia, Fira, the caldera, and other must-see sites.
• FROM RETHYMNO to Santorini Daytrip – experience the beauty and romance of Santorini on a day trip from Crete. Set sail from the Port of Rethymno, and then take a guided tour by air-conditioned vehicle on arrival.
• FROM AGIOS NIKOLAOS to Santorini Daytrip – you will be picked-up from your hotel by bus and transferred to the port. In Santorini, you will be guided in Oia, where we will enjoy the wonderful view from the cliffs, the churches and the white Cycladic houses.
• FROM CRETE to Santorini Daytrip – take a day out from Crete to visit Santorini on this day trip. Board a boat to this famous volcanic island, known for its sea-filled caldera (crater) and black cliffs. 

Getting From Crete to Santorini by ferry

If you don’t want to take an organized day trip, another option to reach Santorini is by ferry.

You have 2 ports to choose from for your departure from Crete to Santorini: Heraklion port or Rethymno port. There are no ferries to Santorini from Chania or Agios Nikolaos. If you’re travelling from these cities you’ll need to take the bus to Heraklion or Rethymno, both between 1 1/2 and 2 hours away.

Throughout the months of April to October, there are many ferries that make the journey between Santorini and Heraklion Port in Crete daily. The ride will last approximately 2-3 hours if you’re on a high-speed ferry. As for price, an adult standard ticket costs around €80.

You can use the below search box to compare ferry operator companies and check schedules. This is helpful when you’re trying to find the best price or fastest route.

Ferryscanner is the best way to research ferry schedules and book tickets for Crete-Santorini ferries. It’s rare for ferries between Crete and Santorini to sell out, but for peace of mind book ferries in advance.

There are no ferries from Crete to Santorini between November and March, but these things change so always check.

The ferries to Santorini usually depart early in the morning and come back to Crete in the afternoon (usually after 5pm). This makes it perfect one day trip if you are not planning to stay overnight in Santorini. Although, we do recommend spending a few days in Santorini. There is not enough time to do the top attractions when you visit Santorini on a day trip from another island.

Getting From Crete to Santorini by Plane

Unfortunately, there are no direct flights from Crete to Santorini but these things change every year, so you can always check Kiwi for any available flights.

Is a Day Trip to Santorini worth it?

Yes, you could have a great day trip if your only goal is to walk around for a couple of hours, get some good views and photos of the caldera, and be back by early evening. But if you think you’re going to get to do a boat tour of the caldera, a wine tour of the best Santorini wineries or hike from Fira to Oia along the caldera (ALL highly recommended) then we do recommend spending from 2 to 3 days in Santorini.

If you’re looking for an amazing and breathtaking view, look no further than Santorini. Although it may be small, this Greek island is huge in beauty and culture. The best way to catch a glimpse of this gem is by taking a guided day trip from the nearby island of Crete. This will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of your trip!