The ferry from Santorini (Thira) to Milos is a key Cyclades connection. The crossing takes about 1h 55m on the fastest vessels, with tickets from €16. Sailings run all year, thinning out in winter, operated by Fast Ferries and Seajets.
This crossing links the two great volcanic islands of the Cyclades. Santorini is the famous one, with its drowned caldera and cliff-top villages; Milos, about 52 nautical miles to the west, is quieter and wilder, known for a coastline of white, red and ochre rock, sea caves and a remarkable number of beaches. Travellers who have done the caldera sunsets often head to Milos next for swimming and boat trips.
The price gap between the two ways of crossing is striking. The Seajets catamaran is fast but costs roughly six times as much as the Fast Ferries ship, which is far cheaper and takes around three extra hours. If you are on a budget and the conventional sailing falls on your day, it is a bargain; if your time is short, the high-speed boat gets you there by late afternoon.
The main catch is frequency. The conventional ship sails only once or twice a week, and Seajets does not run every day outside peak season, so build your itinerary around the sailing days rather than the other way round. Book early for July and August, when the high-speed seats sell out and Milos accommodation fills months ahead.
