Santorini is one of the most popular Greek islands. Known for its beautiful sunrises, volcano and wonderful beaches, Santorini draws tourists like a magnet all summer long.

Airport and Airlines

Santorini National Airport (JTR) is located near the beach of Monolithos, just 8 km / 5miles southeast of Fira.

The airport’s facilities include a bar, several shops, ATM, rent a car offices and tourist information center.

To get to Fira you can take a bus (the journey takes 20 minutes). Once in Fira you can take the bus to get to other towns in Santorini. Many hotels offer shuttle service for a fee so make sure to ask when you book your hotel.

The national carriers Aegean Airlines, Olympic Airlines and AirSea Lines (sea plane) offer direct flights from Athens to Santorini (45-50 minutes flight).

During the summer season there are a lot of flights between major European cities and Santorini and there are also domestic flights between Santorini and other Greek islands. XL flies directly from London into Santorini every Tuesday starting from May until end of September.

Tips to get a cheap ticket to Santorini

If you plan to visit Santorini during the peak season –July and August- make sure to book well in advance. The prices start to climb in June and the peak months have the highest fares. If you have a bit of flexibility, plan your vacation in May or September. The weather is still nice and the airfare is cheaper.

If you use a travel agent, make sure to ask if there is a charter flight available. Most tourist packages do include the charter flight though.

If you prefer to travel independently, check all possible alternatives, including flying into Athens and then taking a domestic flight to Santorini.