Getting Here and Around

The bay of Santorini is one of the world's great sights, and an incoming flight—45 minutes from Athens—gives a unique view of it. There are 11 daily flights, shared by Aegean Airlines, Olympic Air, Ryanair, Sky Express, and Volotea. There are also flights from Thessaloniki and from other European cities. Reservations, the earlier the better, are essential.

As many as seven daily boats from Athens's port of Piraeus ply the wine-dark Aegean to Santorini. The trip takes 4 to 10 hours, depending on route, boat, and the weather. Try to make sure your boat enters the harbor before sunset (usually an early-morning departure from Piraeus), since this is a spectacular sight, one crucial to savoring Santorini's vibe. There are also direct connections to Amorgos, Anafi, Andros, Crete, Folegandros, Halki, Ios, Karpathos, Kasos, Kea, Kimolos, Kos, Koufonisi, Kythnos, Milos, Mykonos, Naxos, Paros, Rhodes, Serifos, Sifnos, Sikinos, Symi, Syros, and Tinos. Reservations are needed in summer and at Easter, and for cars year-round. The port town, Ormos Athinios, is only that, and you must proceed by vehicle to your destination. Buses generally meet the boats, and the drive up the volcano-cut cliff is amazing.

Buses leave from the main depot in central Fira just south of the town's main square. In high season, there are hourly buses for Akrotiri and buses on the half hour for Ia, Monolithos (airport), Kamari, and Perissa. Buses also connect with the main port of Athinios (at least a half-hour ride) as well as the popular Perissa and Kamari beaches. Schedules are posted; hotel concierges should also have this info. Fares run from €1.80 to €2.40. As might be expected, Santorini's buses can be as crowded as those of rush-hour Athens, so step lively! The main taxi station is near Fira's central square on Odos 25 Martiou. Connecting Fira with the harbor port of Fira Skala is the island's famed cable-car route, with its spectacular vistas. This is a must-do, even if you're not using the port facilities—but avoid times when cruise-ship passengers are trying to get back down to their tenders and lines can be impossibly long.

Contacts

Fira Bus Station. Near main square, Fira, Santorini, 84700. 22890/25404; ktel-santorini.gr.

Fira Taxi Station. Odos 25 Martiou, near main square, Fira, Santorini, 84700. 22860/22555.

Santorini Cable Car. Town center, Fira, Santorini, 84700. scc.gr. daily 7 am–10 pm, departures every 20 minutes.

Santorini Port Authority. Santorini, 84700. 22860/22239; www.santorini-port.com.