How to visit Santorini from Crete?

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I visited Crete on a longer road trip and was looking forward to my day trip to Santorini from Heraklion to finish off my Crete holiday. In this guide I will tell you about my experiences and give you all the information you need to plan your excursion.

Heraklion in Crete and Santorini are connected via regular ferry crossings operated by Blue Star and Seajets from mid-April to mid-October. This route is one of the most popular ferry routes in Greece, along with the route from Athens to Santorini. There is also a connection during the winter time two times per week.

Don’t have time to read it all? Here are my key takeaways:

• Is a trip to Santorini worth it? I found the trip totally worth it and recommend you to book a guided tour of Santorini.
• Can I visit Santorini on a day trip from Crete? Yes, a day trip from Crete (Heraklion) to Santorini is possible and very popular. High-speed ferries depart from Heraklion and some from Rethymnon and take approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours to reach the island. Tours usually include bus transfers, time in Fira and Oia (about 5–6 hours), and a return trip that same evening.
• How much does the ferry from Crete to Santorini cost? The Santorini speedboat ferry operated by SeaJets costs between 160 and 220 euros for a round trip.
• The port of Heraklion can get quite busy, especially in summer. I recommend arriving at the port at least 1 hour before the ferry’s departure.
• If you’re planning a longer stay in Santorini, I recommend booking your accommodation at least 3–4 months in advance.

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Experience Santorini on a day trip from Heraklion

If you are staying in Crete for a while, a trip to Santorini from Crete is a great addition. The trip is especially worth it if you don’t plan on taking a separate vacation to Santorini later.

I experienced Santorini on a day tour and can say that I was able to get a really good overview of the beautiful Greek island.

Tip: Be aware that it will be a long day as you’ll spend a lot of time on the ferry and on the bus. In total, you’ll have about 4-5 hours of spare time on Santorini for exploring and sightseeing.

Trip to Santorini from Crete on your own or on a tour?

I recommend booking a guided tour for your trip to Santorini.

• With the tour, you don’t have to worry about almost anything and can enjoy a pleasant and more relaxed day.
• A tour costs about the same as if you were planning and booking everything yourself, if not less. You can find tours starting at 179 euros. You usually won’t find it any cheaper on your own.

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My Day trip to Santorini on a Guided Tour

I started my day trip from Crete to Santorini early in the morning, taking the speedboat at 8 a.m. from Heraklion port. The port has a huge parking lot where you can leave your car for just 3€ per day. If you are staying outside of Heraklion or prefer to be picked up, you can have add a pick up from your hotel for an additional fee of about 10 euros to the guided tour booking.

Before entering the ferry, you will have to visit a counter to exchange your tour vouchers for some printed ferry tickets (that contain also your seat number on the boat) and bus tickets to use on the island itself.

The ferry itself is very spacious and moves super smooth. You can buy snacks and coffee on the boat in case you did not bring anything with you for breakfast. The smaller vessels even have an outside area.

I arrived at 10 a.m. after spending just 2 hours on the boat. The speedboat is going incredibly fast and hardly moves. For me it felt like flying in an airplane without noise.

Arriving at Santorini port, you will be allocated to a bus with tour guide according to your language (English, German, Polish, French, Italian). The guide will be with you for the whole tour and explains lots about the history of the island and its villages.

The destinations of your tour are the village of Oia and the main town of Fira. You will visit the 2 most famous places on the island also passing by the best photo and Instagram spots Santorini has to offer.

Stop 1: Oia – The village of blue-domed churches with the best Caldera Views

Oia is the village of white houses and blue domed churches (about 30 minutes from the port) and will be your first stop. There, you’ll have about 2 hours of free time.

The Top Highlights in Oia:

• The “Blue Domes”: The island’s classic postcard view. The famous photo spot is located not far from the main church (Church of Panagia) in the heart of the village.
• The windmills of Oia: The windmills define the town’s skyline and offer a fantastic photo and Instagram opportunity at any time of day.
• The pedestrian zone (Nikolaou Nomikou): Stroll through the narrow, marble-paved alleyways. You’ll find exclusive boutiques, art galleries, small cafés, and luxurious cave hotels.

One of the most iconic spots in Oia is the blue domes. You can find the best locations to photograph them by searching for “Domes Viewpoint” or “Viewpoint” which will pull up a couple the top locations.

I had a great view of the blue domes while having a delicious Greek lunch at Emfasis on the terrace.

Stop 2: Fira: White-washed houses on the top of the impressive Caldera cliffs

Fira is the capital and main town with the famous three bells and the large dome (about 20 minutes drive from the port). Fira will be your second stop and you will spend about 2 hours there.

The Top Highlights in Fira:

• Old Town: Stroll through the labyrinth of whitewashed streets, past small boutiques, jewelry stores, and cozy cafés.
• Three Bells of Fira: Visit the famous viewpoint overlooking the blue-domed church, which offers the perfect postcard view of the sea.
• Santorini Cable Car: Connects the Old Port with the cliff-top town. The ride (€10 one way) takes just a few minutes and offers spectacular views.
• Old Port: Formerly the anchorage point for cruise ships; today, it’s primarily the departure point for boat tours and excursions to the volcano.

In Fira, if you’re up for it, you can take a wooden boat to the volcano and the hot springs. The trip costs an additional 20 euros and must be pre-booked.

Key information about the ferry from Crete to Santorini

In total there are four ferry companies that operate regular service from Crete to Santorini: Blue Star Ferries, Sea Jets, Fast Ferries, and Anek Lines. Anek Lines however operates only very few connections.

• For a day trip, I recommend SeaJets or Fast Ferries. Both are high-speed catamaran ferries from Crete to Santorini and take about 2 hours.
• Blue Star Ferries is the cheaper but also slower option, taking 3 to 4 hours. On most days, it departs at 5:15 am. The return times, however, are usually quite late and are less convenient for a day trip.

Conclusion on my trip from Crete to Santorini

Santorini is one of the most beautiful islands in Greece. If you know you’ll never spend an entire vacation there, a day trip to Santorini during your Crete vacation is definitely worth it.

For a trip from Crete to Santorini, I would always opt for the guided tour. At the end of the day, this option is more affordable and probably a bit more relaxing.

FAQ about the day trip from Crete to Santorini

Where does the ferry to Santorini depart from in Crete?

Generally, the Crete-Santorini ferry departs from the port of Heraklion. Ferries operated by Sea Jets occasionally depart from Rethymnon as well. You’ll see exactly where your ferry departs from when you book.

How much does a trip from Crete to Santorini cost?

A ticket from Crete (island) to Santorini (island) costs an average of €100 if you book it on the same day. The cheapest tickets cost as little as €79.

How long does the ferry ride from Crete to Santorini take?

The Heraklion–Santorini (Thira) ferry route is served by two ferry operators: Blue Star Ferries and SeaJets. The crossing takes about 2 hours on average, though the duration may vary depending on the operator, the vessel, and weather conditions.