A Santorini to Ios ferry hop is one of the easiest island-to-island day trips in the Cyclades — a high-speed catamaran can put you on Ios in well under an hour. Mykonos is doable too, though it is a longer haul that pushes the limits of a single day. Both leave from Athinios port on Santorini's southwest coast, roughly 8–10 km from Fira and reached from Perissa via the Fira bus hub. This guide covers realistic durations, indicative 2026 fares, the main operators (SeaJets, Blue Star and others), and — the question that decides everything — whether a same-day return actually works.
TL;DR — Santorini ferry day trips at a glance
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| Ios ferry time | ~35–45 min by high-speed catamaran (some slower boats up to ~1.5 h) |
| Ios fare | Indicative ~€25–65 one way depending on boat and season — confirm on booking |
| Ios day trip? | Yes — the short crossing leaves a comfortable day to explore and return |
| Mykonos ferry time | ~1h50–3.5 h depending on the boat and route |
| Mykonos fare | Indicative ~€75–90+ one way — pricier and longer |
| Mykonos day trip? | Possible but tight — long each way; an overnight is more relaxed |
| Depart from | Athinios port — not Perissa's beach |
The two realistic day trips from Santorini
Santorini sits in the southern Cyclades with fast ferry links to its neighbours, but not every nearby island makes a sensible day trip. The two that do — for very different reasons — are Ios and Mykonos. Ios is close, cheap and quick; Mykonos is further, glossier and a stretch to see and return in daylight. Both trips start at Athinios, the main ferry port, so read our Athinios port guide before you go for how the port works and how to reach it from Perissa.
Ferries are seasonal and frequencies peak in summer (roughly May–October). Timetables and fares shift year to year and even week to week, so treat every number below as indicative and confirm live times and prices on a ticketing site or at the port before you commit.
Santorini to Ios by ferry
Ios is the standout day trip. It lies just north of Santorini, and the fast catamarans cover the crossing in around 35–45 minutes — the quickest sailings, on SeaJets' Champion Jet boats, are about 35 minutes, while slower conventional ferries can take up to roughly 1.5 hours. High-speed foot-passenger fares are indicative at around €25–65 one way depending on the boat, class and how far ahead you book; the cheapest slower sailings can be less. The route is served by several operators including SeaJets, Blue Star Ferries, Fast Ferries and Golden Star, with multiple daily sailings in high season.
Because the crossing is so short, a same-day return works comfortably: catch a morning boat over, spend the day on Ios's beaches or in its whitewashed hilltop chora, and take an afternoon or evening ferry back. The one thing to nail down is the return sailing time before you leave — buy both legs in advance in peak season, when popular boats sell out. Ios is the reason "santorini to ios ferry" is such a common search: it is genuinely one of the best-value day trips from a Perissa base.
Santorini to Mykonos by ferry
Mykonos is the other option, and it is a different proposition. The crossing runs roughly 1 hour 50 minutes to 3.5 hours depending on the boat and whether it sails direct or via other islands — the fastest SeaJets catamarans are near the bottom of that range. Foot-passenger fares are indicative at around €75–90 or more one way, so a return is a meaningful spend. Operators include SeaJets and Golden Star Ferries, with several daily departures through summer.
A Mykonos day trip is possible but tight: with two hours-plus each way, you spend a big chunk of the day on the water and get only a few hours ashore. If Mykonos is a priority, an overnight makes far more sense than a rushed return. Check the day's specific outbound and return times carefully — a late return boat is what makes a same-day trip viable at all.
| Destination | Ferry time (high-speed) | Indicative one-way fare | Same-day return? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ios | ~35–45 min | ~€25–65 | Yes — comfortable |
| Mykonos | ~1h50–3.5 h | ~€75–90+ | Possible but tight — overnight better |
Prices and durations are indicative and vary by operator, boat and season — always confirm on the booking page or at Athinios before you travel.
What a day on each island looks like
On Ios, the short crossing buys you real time ashore. The port of Gialos sits below the whitewashed hilltop chora, a maze of lanes, chapels and tavernas, and the island is ringed by easy-to-reach beaches — Mylopotas is the famous long sweep of sand, a short hop from the port. It's an easygoing, low-key day: swim, wander the chora, eat, and catch the evening boat back. The relaxed pace is exactly why Ios suits a same-day trip from a Perissa base.
Mykonos is glossier and busier, and the longer crossing eats into your hours. If you go, prioritise: the windmills and Little Venice waterfront, the labyrinth of Chora's boutiques and lanes, and one beach if time allows. It's a lot to cram into the few hours a day return leaves you, which is why we'd steer most people toward an overnight — but a fast boat out on the first sailing and back on a late one can just about work for a taste of the island.
Booking, tickets and getting to the port
Buy ferry tickets through an online ticketing platform or a local travel agent; for high-season fast boats, book ahead rather than gamble on port sales. Bring ID or passport matching your ticket, and arrive at Athinios at least an hour before departure — the port gets crowded and hot in summer, and ticket collection lines build right before sailing. From Perissa you reach Athinios via the Fira bus hub (Perissa→Fira, then the Fira–Athinios bus that meets ferries), or by taxi/transfer; our getting to Perissa guide and the /getting-here page cover the connections.
If a boat trip that stays around Santorini appeals more than leaving the island, the caldera cruises are the alternative — see our best day trips from Perissa and the /day-trips page for volcano, wineries and Oia options. You can compare organised excursions and sailings on GetYourGuide's Santorini page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the ferry from Santorini to Ios?
The high-speed catamaran crossing takes about 35–45 minutes, with the fastest SeaJets sailings around 35 minutes. Slower conventional ferries can take up to roughly 1.5 hours. Ios is the closest easy island hop from Santorini, which is why it makes such a good day trip with time to spare on both ends.
Can you do a day trip from Santorini to Ios and back?
Yes, comfortably. The short crossing means you can take a morning ferry over, spend the day on Ios, and return the same evening. The key is to confirm and pre-book the return sailing, as popular high-season boats sell out. Check the day's specific timetable, since frequencies vary by season.
How much does the Santorini to Ios ferry cost?
Fares are indicative at around €25–65 one way for a foot passenger on a high-speed boat, depending on operator, class and how far ahead you book; slower ferries can be cheaper. Prices change with season and demand, so confirm the current fare on a ticketing site or at Athinios port before travelling.
Is a Santorini to Mykonos ferry day trip worth it?
It is possible but tight. The crossing runs roughly 1h50 to 3.5 hours each way, so a same-day return leaves only a few hours ashore and costs ~€75–90+ per leg. Unless you catch fast boats both ways with a late return, an overnight in Mykonos is far more rewarding than a rushed day trip.
Which ferry companies sail from Santorini?
The main operators are SeaJets, Blue Star Ferries, Golden Star Ferries and Fast Ferries, among others, all sailing from Athinios port. SeaJets runs the fastest catamarans; Blue Star runs larger conventional ferries. Routes and frequencies are seasonal, peaking from roughly May to October, so check live schedules for your dates.
