Day trips from Santorini

Three connections leave Santorini, all three by water, but none on the same terms: a municipal boat to Thirassia, a private tour to the volcano in the middle of the caldera, and a regular ferry to Ios, already another Cycladic island.

Thirassia

The first connection is the nearest: a small island across a narrow channel from Santorini, with the villages of Riva and Korfos. The municipal boat leaves Athinios port once a day most of the week, and twice on Tuesdays and Fridays; some visitors also reach it on tours that stop here alongside the caldera. Thirassia residents board first, so in season it pays to arrive before the posted departure.

Getting aroundHow to get to Athinios port, and what that means for the schedule:Getting around Santorini →

The caldera and Nea Kameni volcano

The volcano is the second connection. The boat stops at Nea Kameni, where you walk over bare lava to the crater, then carries on to the warm springs off Palea Kameni: about 3 h, €25–40 tour + €5 park entry, booking is recommended. The crater path runs over loose volcanic rock, so sandals slow the walk down and twist ankles more easily. Tours are run by private operators, who don't sail reliably outside roughly May–October — worth checking before setting off out of season whether a tour is even running that day.

3 daysDay three of the plan, with the same boat across the caldera:Santorini in 3 days →

Ios

The third connection is Ios, already another island, with beaches and summer nightlife. From Athinios a ferry takes you there: a high-speed boat in 35 to 50 minutes, a conventional one in up to an hour and fifty minutes. The cheapest ticket, on the slower ferry, is from €6.50, one way.

BudgetHow that fare fits into a daily budget:What Santorini costs →

If Ios is not far enough, Mykonos has its own airport and ferries from Piraeus and Rafina.

GuideMykonos, with the town, the beaches and Delos:Mykonos →

What to know in advance

• The Thirassia boat and the Ios ferry leave from Athinios, the port below the cliff. Count the travel time to it from Fira.
• Unlike the caldera tour, Ios does not stop in winter. The ferry sails most days all year, more often in summer.

Hidden gemsWhat is left on the island itself, away from the caldera:The Santorini away from the caldera →

When to goWhich months keep all three connections running in full:The best time to visit Santorini →

FoodWhat to eat and where, on the island itself:What to eat in Santorini →

Where to stayWhich part of the island to sleep in:Where to stay in Santorini →

MistakesWhat most often goes wrong here:Mistakes everyone makes in Santorini →