How to Get to Santorini from Heraklion

Santorini and Heraklion present two different perspectives of Greece, so I recommend including this tour in your itinerary. Heraklion is a port city that preserves the history of archaeological sites and has ancient buildings. On the other hand, Santorini is picturesque and touristic, known for its white houses.

During your stay I recommend you to walk around the coastal towns of Oia and Fira, watch the sunset from a bar to escape the crowds, taste local desserts (such as loukoumades) and visit a museum to learn more about the history of this archipelago.

Santorini is a small archipelago in Greece, very famous for its ideal spaces for taking pictures. Among the best things to do in Heraklion is a trip from the Cretan capital to this popular paradise.

An organized excursion is the best option, as you will be able to arrive on the island with a clear purpose, you won't have to walk on your own, and you won't have to worry about the itinerary.

What will I see on these excursions?

The itinerary will depend on the type of tour from Heraklion you decide to book, as well as your time availability. Some tours cover only the most important points, while there are trips that give you a time window of up to two days, so that you can tour the archipelago at your leisure.

You can take the opportunity to visit the town of Thira or Fira, to discover the changes that the island has undergone throughout history. I also recommend you to visit the Oia Castle where you can climb an ancient pirate watchtower to get the best views of Santorini.

If you visited the best beaches of Heraklion, you should probably take a look at the beaches of Santorini. They are so beautiful that it is hard to leave the water, especially in summer.

One of the most popular is the Red Beach, characterized by the contrast of red stones with turquoise water. This phenomenon appeared after the eruption of the island's volcano.

During the excursion you can visit:

• Oia: is a coastal town with white houses and very colorful spaces, typical of Greece. Its streets have a natural charm, but it is difficult to find a clear area to see the sunset, as it is an obligatory stop for tourists.
• Fira: is the capital of Santorini, in this city you can visit the Museum of Prehistory of Thera that has objects from the Bronze Age. It is a very famous destination for its cliffs and for the paintings of local artists exhibited in the Metropolitan Orthodox Cathedral.
• Aegean Sea: is a maritime space bordering Greece and Turkey, there are paradisiacal islands with a luxurious lifestyle, which will surely catch your attention.
• Pyrgos: is a village in the interior of Santorini, where you can find traditional houses. It is a quiet destination, ideal to disconnect from the routine. You can visit vineyards, to taste the typical Assyrtiko white wine. If you are interested in the history of the island you can visit the Santorini in the Past Museum.

Useful information about Santorini

• Price: from 170 € for adults, children can pay a fare of about 70 €.
• Travel time: the trip from Heraklion can take from two to six hours. Additionally, depending on the company you hire and the scheduled itinerary, the excursion can take several days or return the same day.
• Advantages: you will not have to worry about the itinerary, your guide will plan the best tour for you. In addition, it is the easiest way to get there, since usually this type of excursion includes round-trip transfers.
• Disadvantages: it is not compatible if you plan to be in Greece for a short period of time.

The best way to travel from Heraklion to Santorini on your own is definitely the ferry. It is an economical, comfortable and fast option. It combines the advantages of the other transportations and has few disadvantages.

The trip can take from two to six hours, depending on the company. Additionally, some depart at 4:00 a.m., so keep this in mind. The last ferry leaves the port of Heraklion around 11:00 p.m. It is advisable to arrive early so you can check in your luggage.

Some tips if you are traveling by ferry from Heraklion to Santorini are:

• If you are traveling in summer (May to October), be aware that there are twice as many tourists. Arrive at the port two hours earlier, to avoid queues and delays.
• It is not recommended to travel in the meltemi wind season, specifically between July and August. The trip can be difficult, especially if you suffer from vertigo.
• Keep in mind that ferries only sail once a week in winter.
• You can purchase numbered seats, although some ferries offer cabins.
• I advise you to book your seat on the website of the company of your choice.

How to book a ferry trip from Heraklion

• Seajets: is one of the most popular companies, in summer it sails twice a day. Prices range from 75 to 130 €, you can also include a car.
• Fast Ferries: has departures three times a week. You can choose economy or business class seats, from 20 €.
• Minoan Lines: departs twice a week and offers seats between 30 and 70 €. If you travel during the day, I suggest you buy outdoor passes to observe the Aegean Sea.

There are other options such as Anek Lines which is a conventional boat. It is cheaper, but it takes longer to arrive in Santorini. In summer it only departs on Sunday evenings, but the rest of the year it operates every day.

Useful information about Santorini

• Price: From 20 to 130 €, the price depends on the type of seat you choose and may increase if you transfer your car. Additionally, children under four years of age travel free of charge. While, people with disabilities and children under ten years old can get a 50% discount.
• Travel time: from two to six hours, depending on the type of ferry. Remember that there are high speed ferries and other conventional ferries that take a slower route. Don't worry, most companies use the high speed system.
• Advantages: it is a straight line trip, so it is usually a direct, non-stop connection.
• Disadvantages: it is not a trip suitable for people who suffer from vertigo. In addition, the schedule depends on the season.

Car trips are dynamic, fun and comfortable, ideal for sharing with the family. You can make stops to eat or sleep wherever you prefer. However, Heraklion and Santorini are separated by miles of sea, so it is worth evaluating how functional this idea is.

Personally, I do not recommend traveling to Santorini by car. Although it is a comfortable option, since it allows you to have land transportation at your next destination, you must remember that the island is mostly traveled on foot.

In addition, you will have to use a car ferry to reach the archipelago. The best option is to use another means of transportation, if you still need a car you can rent it directly on the island of Santorini.

The only advantage is that in Heraklion you can find cars at a better price, but considering the sacrifice involved in your transfer, you should think twice.

How to rent a car in Heraklion

• Centauro car rental: They have offices in Heraklion and Santorini, it is also possible to return them to a different office. You can choose between SUVs, family cars, automatic cars, among others.
• Kafetzakis car rental: you can rent new cars. Most of them include insurance and 24 hours assistance for emergencies.

How to rent a car in Santorini

• Santorini Dream Cars: the best option to rent a car at low cost, they work around the clock and you can pay when you receive the car.
• Car Hub: they also deliver to the airport and local hotels. The minimum age to drive is 23 years old.

Useful information

• Price: Ferry fares range from 20 to 130 €, depending on the ferry company you hire. You can rent cars in Heraklion from 20 € per day, while in Santorini you can find options from 40 € per day. There are places in both cities where you can rent cars for between 5 and 10 €, but you should check that they are vehicles with insurance.
• Travel time: approximately two to three hours.
• Advantages: you can save a few euros, as cars in Santorini are more expensive.
• Disadvantages: if the car is rented, you may need special permits to take it out of town.

Some people prefer the comfort of an airplane, so they choose to book a flight from Heraklion to Santorini. However, it is the most expensive option and you have to make stops, as there are no direct flights connecting to the island.

To start the journey you must go to Heraklion Nikos Kazantzakis International Airport, which is located six minutes from the center.

The fastest way to get there is by cab, as buses run every ten minutes and take about twenty minutes to the airport. However, if you want to save a few euros, you can go to the central bus station in Heraklion and pay about 2 €.

There are daily flights connecting Heraklion with Athens, the duration is about three hours and the airfare is about 90 €. From Athens you will head to your final destination: Santorini, where you can take a cab, bus or rental car to start the adventure.

Useful information about Santorini

• Price: you can find cheap flights starting at 40 €, but there are also more expensive options for around 300 €.
• Travel time: approximately two to three hours.
• Advantages: some airlines allow you to extend your stopovers at no extra cost, so you can take advantage of getting to know Athens.
• Disadvantages: it is an expensive option and the stopovers in Athens can be tedious.

Most transports can arrive in Santorini in three hours maximum, unless there are delays due to weather or other factors. If you choose a conventional ferry, it will take twice as long, which can be overwhelming.

They are 120 km or 63 nautical miles apart, as they are separated by the vastness of the Aegean Sea, which encompasses Turkey and Greece. Therefore, the best way to get from one island to the other is by opting for one of the best excursions from Heraklion.

If you want to enjoy a pleasant climate and escape the rains, the best months to visit Santorini are from April to June. September is also a good option, as the sun is not as strong.

I must warn you that it is a more expensive destination than Heraklion, but it is worth it. If you go with an excursion you can save some euros, you can also opt for the low season that goes from December to March. In these months prices drop considerably and there are fewer tourists.

During the weekends the local life is a lot of fun, however it can be overwhelming to run into the crowded streets. For unobstructed views, it is best to visit the island Monday through Thursday.

I suggest you to opt for the typical Santorini inns. They are distinguished by being old white houses, decorated with pink flowers and blue elements. They will certainly help you feel at home.

Oia is the most famous and photographable area, but also the most expensive to stay in. An economical alternative is to stay overnight in Kamari, as it is bohemian, with good prices and charm of its own.

You can also find options under 50 €, but you must book in advance. I recommend you not to stay too far from the center.

• If you are traveling between July and August, book your accommodation at least five months in advance.
• To enjoy your trip from Heraklion to Santorini to the fullest, I recommend you not to drink tap water. Many tourists end up sick and with bad memories of the archipelago, so you should always buy bottled water.
• Some ferries make stops at nearby islands, which can lengthen the trip, but don't worry, it's fun because it allows you to see other Greek islands.
• Most ferries sell tickets online, which saves you time and allows you to secure your seats.
• To go up to the highest part of Santorini, I recommend opting for the cable car from Fira, which costs about €12 round trip. Without a doubt, it is an incredible experience.
• In Santorini, avoid the tourist areas. They are usually very crowded, so it is difficult to appreciate the architecture and mythical sites of the island.
• At sunset time many people secure their spot in the front row but it is somewhat uncomfortable. I suggest you opt for St. Nicholas Castle in Oia, as it is usually clearer.