The 15 Best Santorini Day Trips by Ferry from Crete

1.Full-Day Trip to Santorini by Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 279 reviews · 13 hours · from $243Our pick

Take a high-speed ferry from Rethymno to Santorini, then explore Oia and Fira by air-conditioned bus with a multilingual guide. You get about 105 minutes in Oia and two hours in Fira, plus an optional caldera boat ride. It is a long, busy day, but an efficient first look at Santorini.

“Santorini is a beautiful place to visit. It was extremely busy and the capital Thira was a good choice for lunch and enjoying the scenery.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Santorini Day Trip with Boat Transfer & Oia Visit

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 269 reviews · 11 hours · from $199

You’ll cross from Heraklion to Santorini by SeaJets high-speed boat, then tour Oia and Fira by air-conditioned bus with an English, French, German, or Polish-speaking guide. Expect spectacular caldera views, free time in Fira, crowds in Oia, and an optional €20 volcano boat ride.

“Onze gids kon Nederlands en was heel aardig en vertelde enthousiast veel over het eiland. Oia zelf was heel erg druk zoals verwacht. De 2e stad vonden wij persoonlijk veel gezelliger en leuker om te winkelen. Jammer was wel dat de optie voor vulkaan bezoek van de tijd zou gaan dus hierom hebben wij er niet voor gekozen omdat de tijd al niet erg veel was. Verder mooie dag gehad.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Heraklion or Ag Nikolaos: Oia & Fira Full-Day Santorini Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 212 reviews · 11 - 13 hours · from $234

Travel from Heraklion or Agios Nikolaos to Santorini by high-speed catamaran, then tour Oia and Fira by air-conditioned bus. You get guided commentary in several languages, free time for photos and shopping, and an optional €20 volcano boat ride. Russian-speaking guide Tatiana has assisted guests on some departures.

“No one has told us that our tour guide will be in Santorini. it was really stressful as we didn't know what to do and have waited around for a long time.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Santorini Full-Day Tour by Boat

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 133 reviews · from $191

You’ll leave Crete by boat for a full day in Santorini, with hotel pickup, a guide, and free time in Fira and Oia. Guide Athina earned special praise, while driver Mario once added an optional Akrotiri stop. Bring printed vouchers, comfortable shoes, and ID.

“Very nice, unfortunately it rained a lot. We would like to stay longer in Oia than in Fira but in general it was great”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Day Tour to Santorini Island from Heraklion Crete

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 117 reviews · 11 to 12 hours (approx.) · from $203

Travel from Crete to Santorini by high-speed catamaran, then visit Oia and Fira by guided coach. You get free time for photos, shopping, and lunch, with an optional volcano and hot springs cruise in high season. Guides may include Maria, Lillia, Patricia, or Eleanor.

“The tour and tour guide were great but I was disappointed in the island itself. I guess I was expecting something different from all the pictures and descriptions from family and friends.”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Full-Day Trip to Santorini

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 97 reviews · 13 hours · from $282

Take a 2.5-hour high-speed catamaran from Rethymno to Santorini, then tour Oia and Fira by air-conditioned bus. You get a guided island introduction, two hours in Fira, and an optional €20 volcano boat trip. Pickup is available across the Chania area.

“The coach to take us to the port was very efficient, arrived on time and it was lovely watching the sun rise. The high speed catamaran was very informative on what the activities were, how to book additional activities and that the tour guide on the bus would tell us more about this activity. The catamaran had refreshments on board. The tour guide on the bus was very knowledgeable and pointed out landmarks as we toured around Santorini. Timing is short in the towns if the volcanic activity is included and the towns are very busy during the height of the season. Overall a great day out, highly recommended.”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Full-Day Santorini Island Trip from Crete

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 93 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $210

Travel by ferry from Crete to Santorini, then explore Oia and Fira by coach with free time in each town. Guides such as Roland, Myra, Maria, and Athina add history and practical tips. The optional volcano boat trip costs extra and replaces some time in Fira.

“Christo was wonderful and informative! The views were breathtaking.. Thea has some wonderful restaurants to choose from.”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Day Tour to Santorini

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 72 reviews · from $202

You’ll cross from Rethymno to Santorini aboard the Elite Jet catamaran, then tour Oia and Fira by air-conditioned coach. Guide Felipe is among the named guides, and you’ll have free time in Fira plus an optional volcano and hot-springs boat trip for €20 when operating.

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Santorini Island: Guided Tour From Heraklion Crete

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 56 reviews · 12 to 14 hours (approx.) · from $206

Travel from Heraklion to Santorini by SeaJets ferry, then explore Oia and Fira by air-conditioned coach with an English-speaking guide. You get about 1.5 hours in Oia and 2.5 hours in Fira, with transport and ferry tickets included. City hotels in Heraklion require self-transfer to the port.

“Guten tag Für mich sie sollten nicht so ein Produkt anbieten. Es gibt kein Zeit zu genießen. es muss schnell schnell sein bei volle Hitze für so ein Preis. Die Verhältnisse stimmt nicht. In deutsch würde ich sagen ein pure verrarschung. Für mich nie wieder. Ich kenne schon Santorini und habe dort 3 Tagen verbracht. Der Eindruck war 1000mal besser. Ich wird das tour auf keinen Fall empfehlen. Sorry das ich ehrlich bin Mit freundlichem Grusse Herr Bauché”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Santorini Guided Tour and Cruise from Crete

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 46 reviews · 12 hours · from $210

Take a fast ferry from Crete to Santorini, then tour Oia and Fira by air-conditioned bus with a professional guide. You get 1.5 hours in Oia and up to 2 hours in Fira, with an optional €20 volcano cruise. Hotel pickup may be available.

“Väsitav pisut aga kõik oli nii nagu peab .Ainult Volcano trip jäi arusaamatuks kuna ei öeldud ,et termaal vees ujumine on laevalt .”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.SANTORINI 1 day Guided Excursion with HIGHSPEED from CRETE

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 38 reviews · 14 hours (approx.) · from $219

Spend about six hours on Santorini after a high-speed ferry from Heraklion. A professional guide leads you through Oia and Fira, with free time for views, food, shopping, or an optional volcano visit. Pickup is available from Sissi to Ammoudara, with English, German, and French service.

“Belle expérience, le bateau est commode, rapide et très propre. Belle vue de l’extérieur, nous avons vu Santorini niché en hauteur. Le temps passe trop vite, si on veut faire de shopping alors on sacrifie le restaurant. Nous avons donc profité d’un bar/resto avec une vue à couper le souffle de la caldera. Les rues de Oia tout simplement magnifique ! À faire absolument.”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Full-Day Trip to Santorini island by Boat from Rethymno

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 27 reviews · from $244

Take a fast boat from Rethymno to Santorini, then cross the island by air-conditioned vehicle with a multilingual guide. See Oia’s caldera views, enjoy free time in Fira, and possibly swim at a black-sand beach. The day is long, busy, and best for seeing Santorini in one shot.

“This boat trip was not from Rethymnon, but from Heraklion, which makes a big difference when travelling with a little toddler. The trip took approximately 17-18 hours, not 12, with lots of time inside coaches with face masks on. Santorini was Read more”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.Full-Day Trip to Santorini island by Boat from Heraklion

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 26 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $235

Travel from Heraklion to Santorini by boat, then explore Oia and Fira by air-conditioned bus. English-speaking guides, including Bruno on some departures, provide island context while you enjoy caldera views, shopping, photos, and free time.

“Oia ands Fira we’re both beautiful, would have liked more time in Oia….might just have to go back and stay 1 or 2 nights 😍”

Check availability →Read our full review

14.Santorini Full-Day Tour from Heraklion Crete

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $180Best value

Take the ferry from Heraklion to Santorini, then meet Tasos at Athinios Port for a private, six-hour island tour. Visit Oia, Firostefani, Profitis Ilias, Perissa Black Beach, and Red Beach in a group of no more than six, with transport, water, and WiFi included.

“Santorini wasn’t as nice as we had hoped, it was only a few buildings with white and blue. The guide was very nice though and brought us to all the places one must see.”

Check availability →Read our full review

15.Full-Day Trip to Santorini island by Boat from Rethymno with Transfer your Hotel

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 6 reviews · from $242

Sail from Rethymno to Santorini, then tour the island by air-conditioned vehicle with a multilingual guide. You’ll have about two hours in Oia and two hours in Fira, plus transport between the port and island sights. Hotel pickup is available in selected areas for an extra cost.

“Generell gut organisiert. Die Dame die als Guide über die Insel berichtet hat, wirkte teilweise etwas verwirrt/abgelenkt und es fehlten ihr - obwohl sie aus Deutschland kam - oft einzelne Wörter, die ihr nicht/schwer einfielen. Wirkte daher ziemlich holprig.”

Check availability →Read our full review