Ferry from Santorini (Thira) to Mykonos.

Santorini to Mykonos links the two most famous islands in Greece, and for many visitors it is the only ferry they take: a few days of caldera views, then north for beaches, the windmills and a night out in Mykonos Town. It is a summer route above all, served almost entirely by fast boats, so it is quick but not cheap.

The departure is from Athinios, Santorini's main ferry port on the south-west coast, about 7.5 km from Fira. You arrive at the new port of Mykonos in Tourlos, about 2.5 km north of Chora, the main town, and about 4 km from the airport. Around the Tourlos quay there are cafés, restaurants, a few shops and hotels, and local buses and taxis run into town.

Some sailings call at other islands on the way, which is why the same crossing can take under two hours or over three. If you have a fixed plan in Mykonos, such as a dinner booking or a club night, check the arrival time rather than the departure time when you choose a boat.

Before booking, remember that there is no winter service in this direction: Ferryhopper lists sailings from March to November only. In July and August tickets and hotel rooms on Mykonos both sell out, so reserve the ferry as soon as your dates are firm, and book the return leg too if you are heading back to Santorini.

The summer meltemi, a strong north wind that peaks in July and August, can make this long crossing rough. Because the route is served by high-speed boats, it is more sensitive to wind than routes with big conventional ferries: sailings may run late, and the port authority can hold departures when conditions are unsafe. When a sailing is called off, the operator either rebooks you onto a later boat or returns the fare, so contact them (or Ferryhopper, if you booked there) as soon as you hear. Leave a spare day before an onward flight from Mykonos.