How would I get from Folegandros back to Athens in the same day? (this would be in May)

I've been told that the best way is to take a ferry from Folegandros to Santorini, which gets me there in the evening. and then take a flight the next day to Athens. But I would really like to do it all in a day.

I was also told that there is an all day ferry, but it takes 12 hours and it may not even be running at that time.

follow-up question .... what's the best way to get from Chania to Santorini? I don't see any direct flights. is the only way to take the ferry?

i see on gtp.gr a ferry from "PIRAEUS
(TZE)" to Santorini on Monday's and Wednesday's - is that it?

10 hour trip...not *that* bad i guess? i'll have to take dramamine or something

Right now there are 2 ferries each week from Folegandros to Piraeus on Thursday and Saturday. If these departure dates hold up until May and if you take one of these you don't have to go back to Santorini first, since they come from Santorini first on the way back to Piraeus, stopping at several islands including Folegandros along the way. And yes, it is about a 12 hour ride.

Also, there are other ferries from Folegandros to Naxos, and from Naxos to Piraeus you can catch yet another ferry. So you have some options. But to really figure it out you'll have to wait until all the new season's schedules are out, which won't be for at least another month. Check with www.gtp.gr taking note of the "from-till" dates to be sure of what you're seeing. Just be aware that if high winds or mechanical breakdowns stop the ferry you'll be stranded. I suggest you reconsider your travel itinerary and either fly back to Athens from one of the nearby islands with an airport (Santorini, Naxos, Paros) or take the ferry back an extra day early to be sure you don't miss your flight home. I know you don't want to waste time and hopefully you won't have to, but you have to be realistic and take what you can get. There's just no way to know what that is yet, not to mention the fact that sometimes the schedules can change without any advance notice.

There's no ferry from Chania to Santorini. You have some options. You can fly there going back through Athens for a plane change, or take the bus to Heraklion and catch the highspeed ferry. In May the highspeed ferry is a 5 day/week proposition, so you'll have to plan ahead. http://www.greekislands.gr/hfd/ It's possible that by the time you want to go to Santorini the car ferry will be operating on an updated schedule, giving you another ferry option. Right now there's a car ferry twice a week on Thursday and Sunday from Ag. Nikolaos and Sitia, but not from Heraklion. I think the bus from Chania to Ag. Nikolaos takes about 4 hours, and since the ferry to Santorini doesn't leave until the afternoon you shouldn't have any trouble making the trip on time.

I was on Folegandros in April several years ago and the ferry arrived and abruptly turned around without docking. We were told it was because of the winds and the depth of the harbour. They may have fixed it now but if not (and May is less windy than April) you may not want to cut a return to Athens too tight if you are connecting with a flight. Also you could take the ferry from Folegandros to one of the larger islands, such as Naxos and take the high speed to Rafina. That would save some time unless you have to go by way of Pireaus.