Information about the Airport of Santorini
Santorini International Airport (JTR) is located 7 kilometers south of the capital, Fira, north of the village of Kamari, and not far from the village of Monolithos, in the central-eastern part of the island.
The airport is connected to most international airports by direct flights operated by both flag carriers and low-cost airlines, although sometimes a stopover in Athens is necessary.
Athens is connected to the island of Santorini with a flight that lasts just 45 minutes. Numerous direct charter flights from various Italian and European locations are available, especially during the summer season. Santorini International Airport, also known as Thira Airport, is located on the eastern side of the island and is the largest airport in the southern Aegean Sea.
Santorini Airport is the eighth busiest airport in Greece in terms of passenger traffic, with 2,773,365 passengers in 2023 (up from 2,744,650 passengers in 2022). It is connected via direct flights to over 95 international destinations across 16 countries.
Facilities
The airport features a 2,125-meter-long runway and a 15,640 square meter terminal. Its facilities include ATMs (Eurobank, Euronet, and Piraeus Bank), a currency exchange office (One Exchange), duty-free shops, cafés and restaurants, free parking, a first aid station, free Wi-Fi throughout the airport, and free charging stations for electronic devices.
Airport History
Its Operations began in 1972. in 2017 the management of the airport was taken over by Fraport Greece under a 40-year concession agreement. The terminal was fully renovated in 2021 and expanded by 12,900 square meters (a 115% increase in check-in points, a 20% increase in the total number of gates, a doubling of baggage claim belts, installation of a new baggage control and management system, a 250% increase in security and control points, and a 20% increase in the total number of gates). The surrounding area was also redeveloped, and the aircraft parking area was redesigned.
Public Transport
Tourists arriving in Santorini can travel by car, taxi, or bus, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. The bus is the cheapest option. It’s fairly convenient for those staying in Fira, but not ideal for other locations.
Keep in mind that buses are almost always overcrowded during the summer months, and it’s not possible to buy tickets online to secure a seat. Additionally, schedules change from year to year, and travel times vary significantly depending on traffic.
If you choose the bus despite its drawbacks, you’ll find bus stops just outside the Arrivals area. Tickets are purchased on board, so you’ll need to have small change, preferably coins.
Private transfers are preferable to taxis for a very simple reason: the number of taxis in Santorini is insufficient to meet the high demand during the summer months. Since taxis at the airport cannot be booked in advance, you might end up waiting for a long time. With a private transfer, this isn’t an issue, as it can be easily booked online before departure. In case of a flight delay, the driver will wait for you at the airport.
Renting a car is by far the most convenient option, particularly for those staying in Santorini for a few days and not wanting to waste time or for those who wish to explore less touristy places. Renting directly at the airport means you won’t need public transport to reach your hotel.
Connections to and from Fira
Reaching Fira from Santorini Airport (or vice versa) is quite simple. Buses operated by the local transport company KTEL connect the island’s capital and the airport with services approximately every 30 minutes. The Fira bus station is located near the historic center; the bus makes several stops along the way, and the total journey takes about 20 to 30 minutes, depending on traffic and the number of passengers getting off at each stop. By car or taxi, the trip is reduced to just 10 minutes.
Connections to and from Athinios Port
There are no direct buses from Santorini Airport to Athinios Port, the island’s only ferry terminal. To travel by bus from the airport to the port, you need to change at Fira, which will likely result in a long wait. Much more convenient and faster options are taking a taxi or a private transfer.
Connections to Other Locations
As with the port, there are no direct buses from the airport to Santorini’s tourist destinations, except for Fira. To reach any town or beach, you must first go to Fira and then take a second bus to your final destination. Buses to the more popular destinations, such as Oia, Imerovigli, Firostefani, and Perissa, run quite frequently (about every half hour during the summer months), but schedules can change from year to year, and the wait between buses can be long.