How to Travel from Milos to Santorini in 2026 (Ferries + My Tips)

Planning a Greek island-hopping trip? Chances are, Milos and Santorini are both on your list, and rightly so.

Milos is all about laid-back beaches and lunar-like landscapes, while Santorini delivers classic cliffside views, blue domes, and sunsets you’ll remember long after the trip.

While these two Cycladic islands may look close on the map, getting between them takes a bit of planning.

The good news? There’s really only one option that makes sense: the ferry. Yes, you can technically fly. But that means backtracking to Athens, sitting through a layover, and wasting 6+ hours you could’ve spent on the beach. Not ideal. Ferries are faster, easier, and way more direct.

In this guide, I’m breaking down exactly how to get from Milos to Santorini the easy way, including the ferry route we took, what to expect onboard, tips for booking, and yes, even a quick section on flights in case you’re still considering that route.

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Best Ways to Get from Milos to Santorini

Traveling between Milos and Santorini is pretty straightforward, but it does take a bit of planning to make the transition smooth. You’ve got two main options: ferry or plane. Each has pros and cons, but for most travelers, one clearly wins. Here’s what to know.

Milos to Santorini Ferry

The easiest (and most logical) way to get from Milos to Santorini is by ferry. The islands are about 150 km apart, and the crossing takes anywhere from 2 to 5 hours, depending on the ferry type and route.

Ferries depart from Adamantas Port in the harbor town of Adamas — about 12 minutes from Plaka (Milos’s hilltop capital) and under 20 minutes from Pollonia, if you’re staying on the quieter north coast.

Santorini, on the other hand, has two ports: Athinios and the Old Port. But all passenger ferries arrive at Athinios. You might also see it listed as the New Port, Thira Port, or just Santorini Port, which can get confusing, but they all refer to the same place.

The Old Port is mostly used for the big cruise liners and boat tours, so if you’re arriving by ferry, you’re headed to Athinios, on the island’s southwest coast. It’s about 16 minutes from Fira, 35 minutes from Oia, and 20 minutes from Kamari.

Ferry Operators I’d Recommend

The two main ferry companies running the Milos–Santorini route are Seajets (high-speed) and Zante Ferries (standard).

If you’re short on time, go with Seajets. Their high-speed vessels take about 2 hours to reach Santorini. They usually run at least one daily crossing from late March through early October, with 2–3 ferries per day during peak season (July–August). In winter, it’s still possible to find a crossing, but there’s usually only about two crossings per week.

We sailed with Seajets, which is also the most popular operator on this route. Of all the ferries we took during our Greece itinerary, this was the only one that actually left and arrived on time. We departed Adamas Port at 11:50 and pulled into Santorini at 13:55 — though that’s not always guaranteed.

Either way, the ride was smooth, the seats were comfy, and the onboard café was well-stocked with cold Mythos and freshly baked spanakopita. We paid around €95 per person for our one-way tickets, but prices and schedules may vary by season. Check times and compare prices on Ferryhopper for your dates here.

If you’re traveling on a tighter budget (or just not in a rush), you can also check out Zante Ferries’ Dionisios Solomos. It’s slower and runs less frequently, but tickets are only €18 one-way. That said, sailings are limited to a few times a week, and the trip takes longer, so plan accordingly.

If none of the direct options line up with your dates, you can also piece together a ferry route with a stopover on another island. Just know it often means a longer trip, requires transferring to another vessel, and usually costs more.

Need more choice? Compare ferry prices and schedules here on Omio and 12Go.

What to Know Before Taking the Ferry

• Book early, especially in peak season. Ferry tickets to Santorini can and do sell out — sometimes weeks in advance. I recommend using Ferryhopper to check schedules and lock in your seat early.

• Get to the port early. Arrive at least an hour before departure. Double-check your departure and arrival ports, especially since some islands have more than one (like Santorini).

• Delays are common. Ferries in Greece often run late due to wind or rough seas. During our 10-day trip, every single ferry was delayed, except the one between Milos and Santorini. That said, Ferryhopper was great at sending real-time updates via SMS and email, and their app made it easy to track each boat’s location. You can also check in through the app up to 72 hours before departure and just scan a QR code when boarding.

• Baggage policies vary. Most ferries allow at least one large suitcase and a small carry-on, but it’s worth confirming the rules with your operator ahead of time.

• If you’re prone to seasickness, bring meds, especially if you’re taking a high-speed ferry, which can get a little bumpy.

• Most ferries have snack bars onboard, but they’re not cheap. If you want to save a few euros, grab some snacks and drinks at Puerto by Milos Port. I highly recommend their spanakopita; it’s excellent.

Flying to Santorini from Milos

If the ferry’s not your thing, flying is another option. Though it’s not one I’d recommend unless you really have to.

The catch? There are no direct commercial flights between Milos and Santorini. All routes connect through Athens, which means you can literally spend anywhere from 3 to 8 hours getting between two islands that aren’t even that far apart. While it’s doable, once you factor in airport transfers, security, and layovers, it just doesn’t make sense.

That said, if you get seasick, can’t make the ferry times work, or just really hate boats, you can check flights with Aegean, Olympic Air, or Sky Express — especially in high season when more options are available. Flights operate between Milos Airport (MLO) and Santorini Airport (JTR) via Athens (ATH). Skyscanner is the quickest way to compare prices and see what’s realistic time-wise.

Now technically, there is one way to fly direct — but it’s in a completely different price bracket.

You can book a private helicopter transfer between the two islands, which takes around 30 minutes. While it sounds undeniably cool, it’s not cheap — expect to pay around €4,500 per group.

For most travelers, that’s a huge splurge and not really practical. But for a honeymoon or engagement, it would be pretty unforgettable.

Where to Stay in Santorini

Dreaming of a whitewashed villa with a plunge pool and caldera view? Santorini’s definitely got that. But it also comes with a nice little price tag that’ll make your credit card sweat.

If you’re planning to visit between June and September, book at least 4–6 months ahead (especially if you still want a shot at the best rates and the nicest places).

Best Areas to Stay (and What to Expect):

• Oia: Iconic sunsets, cave suites, high-end dining, and you guessed it…prices to match.
• Fira: Central, lively, and great for nightlife. More mid-range options.
• Kamari, Perissa & Pyrgos: More affordable and way more laid-back, but still just as scenic. You’re basically trading caldera views for beach access and cute little villages.

Best Time to Visit Santorini

The best time to visit Santorini (or anywhere in the Cyclades really) is from April to early November.

Peak season runs from July to August. While the weather is ideal, you should know the island is packed with tourists, and hotel prices are often steeper.

If you still want good weather but fewer crowds and cheaper hotel prices, rather visit from late April to early June or September to early October. We visited in September and the weather was lovely!

While it is possible to visit Santorini during the off-season (mid Nov to March), it’s not the best time to plan your dream vacay. The weather is miserable and there are fewer ferry connections. Added to that, many tour activities, accommodation rentals, and restaurants shut down over this period. 

Ready to Make the Trip from Milos to Santorini?

If you’re heading to Santorini from Milos, the ferry is hands-down the better option. It’s easy to book, way more scenic, and avoids the time-wasting logistics of flying between islands. Unless there’s a very specific reason you need to fly, it honestly doesn’t make much sense.

I hope this helped you map things out. Let me know how your trip goes — and if you’re planning a full Greek island-hopping itinerary, don’t miss my guides to the best things to do in Milos and my slow-paced Santorini travel itinerary.

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