The quickest ferry from Santorini to Ios has a trip duration of around 1 hour and 20 minutes, and in the summer there can be up to 5 ferries a day. Tickets start from €7 per person.
4 different ferry companies operate crossings on the ferry route between Santorini and Ios, using a mix of conventional ferries and faster services.
Ios island in Greece
As you can tell on this map, the Greek islands of Santorini and Ios are located very close to one another. This makes them a natural pairing when it comes to choosing which islands to combine on a Greek island hopping trip.
Another thing that makes traveling from Santorini to Ios by ferry worthwhile is the contrast between the two islands.
Although Ios has something of a reputation as a budget party island, I found it had a lot more to offer.
The beaches were among the best in the Cyclades islands of Greece (which is up against some pretty stiff competition!), there were some nice hiking trails, cool artisan and local product stores, and the sunsets were simply amazing!
If you're after the party scene, by all means go in August. Just make sure you have your hotels in Ios organized a few months in advance.
If you're not that bothered about the party side of things, might I suggest visiting Ios in June or September instead. It's more relaxed, cheaper, and the weather and sea temperatures are still great!
I've got some travel guides here that might be useful for further planning your itinerary in Ios island, Greece:
- Best things to do in Ios
- Best places to watch the sunset in Ios
- Paleokastro in Ios
- Kalamos Beach in Ios
How to get from Santorini to Ios
With the intro out of the way, let's look at how you can travel between Santorini and Ios.
As there is no airport on the Greek island of Ios, flying is not an option. The only way to make a journey from Santorini to Ios is by taking a ferry.
Santorini to Ios ferries run for most of the year, with service typically available from February through October. Most people who want to visit Ios will travel in the summer, and there can be up to 5 or 6 sailings a day in the peak months of June, July, and August.
While there is still a ferry service between Santorini and Ios in the shoulder and low season, there are fewer sailings. You could count on perhaps just one ferry a day from February to April and again in October. Note that there is typically no service in January, November, and December.
Check ferry timetables and book Santorini Ios ferry tickets online at: Ferryscanner
Santorini Ios Ferry Operators
The Greek ferry network is made up of dozens of different ferry operators. On the Santorini to Ios ferry route, there are 4 different companies to choose from depending on the month.
These ferries to Ios from Santorini are operated by SeaJets, Zante Ferries, Small Cyclades Lines (Express Skopelitis), and Boatmen Union of Santorini.
Each ferry company offers a different type of vessel and journey time. Ferry ticket prices will differ depending on the company and type of vessel, ranging from around €7 to €32 per person.
Rather than visiting each companies website to check their individual ferry schedule for the Santorini – Ios journey, I recommend Ferryscanner where you can see everything in one place.
Ferry Santorini Ios
The fastest ferries from Santorini to Ios have travel times of around 1 hour and 20 minutes. The slower ferry sailing to Ios from Santorini island takes around 1 hour and 50 minutes.
Zante Ferries offers a reliable service at about 1 hour 20 minutes and may be the most cost effective way to travel. The Boatmen Union of Santorini takes around 1 hour 30 minutes, offering a balanced option between speed and comfort.
The most regular company offering a daily ferry from Santorini to Ios is SeaJets, but they can be more expensive. As a general rule, you can expect faster ferries to have more expensive tickets prices.
Prices for ferry tickets for the boat from Santorini to Ios change from year to year, but currently range from €7 to €32 per person. The best place to look at up to date schedules and book tickets online is Ferryscanner.
Ios Island Travel Tips
A few travel tips for visiting the Greek island of Ios:
- Wondering where to stay in Ios? Take a look at my guide to places to stay and the best hotels in Ios for all budgets.
- Booking is my favourite platform for reserving hotels in Greece. You'll find a good selection of accommodation in both Santorini and Ios.
- Book your ferry tickets with Ferryhopper. It's the best site to check ferry schedules for the Santorini to Ios crossing, and it's easier to get your ferry ticket as an e ticket rather than going into travel agencies in Santorini.
- Check out the weather conditions – you might want to take something for travel sickness before your boat leaves!
- I'd strongly suggest aiming to be at the Santorini ferry port at least 30 minutes before the ferry Santorini Ios departs especially if you have to pick up tickets there.
- There's not much shade at Santorini port, so I'd suggest diving into one of the cafes if you have some time to kill. They're a little overpriced, but at least you won't melt in the sun and you can enjoy a relaxing drink before the ferry to Ios leaves.
- Welcome taxis offer a sensibly priced pre-booked pick up and drop off service for the airport and port in Santorini. This way you'll be on time for your ferry trip from Santorini to Ios!
What to see in Ios Greece
I've already mentioned my guide on the best things to do in Ios. A quick list of highlights if you haven't got time to check that travel blog post out are:
- Explore Chora
- Check out the churches (there's 365+!)
- Relax on amazing beaches
- Visit Skarkos Archaeological site
- Spend time at the Archaeological Museum
- Walk to Homer's Tomb
- Hike to Paleokastro
- Watch a sunset at the lighthouse
- Enjoy watersports like paddleboarding
- Celebrate in a bar or nightclub!
How to take the ferry from Santorini to Ios FAQ
Questions that people ask about traveling to Ios from Santorini include:
How can you get to Ios from Santorini?
The only way to travel from Santorini to Ios is to take a ferry. In the summer months there are up to 5 or 6 ferries per day sailing to the island of Ios from Santorini leaving from Athinios Port in Santorini and arriving at Ios Port.
Is there an airport in Ios?
There is no airport in Ios island, so the only way to take a trip from Santorini to Ios is to use a ferry. The closest airport to Ios is on Santorini.
How long is the ferry from Santorini to Ios?
The ferries to Ios from Santorini take between 1 hour 20 minutes and 1 hour and 50 minutes. Ferry operators on the Santorini Ios route include SeaJets, Zante Ferries, Small Cyclades Lines, and Boatmen Union of Santorini.
How much does the Santorini to Ios ferry cost?
Ticket prices for the Santorini to Ios ferry range from around €7 to €32 per person, depending on the ferry company, seat class, and time of year. Booking in advance can often secure you a better rate.
How can I buy tickets for the ferry to Ios?
Ferryhopper is perhaps the easiest site to use when it comes to booking Ios ferry tickets online. Although I recommend you book your Santorini to Ios ferry tickets as much in advance as possible, you might also prefer to use a travel agency in Greece when you have arrived.
How do I get from Santorini airport to Ios
Using the airport in Santorini is a good way to get to Ios for international travelers, as Santorini airport has connections with European cities. Once at Santorini airport, you'd then need to take public transport or a taxi to Athinios Port, from where you'd then take the Santorini to Ios ferry.
Is Ios cheaper than Santorini?
In comparison to popular Greek islands like Santorini and Mykonos, Ios is one of the more budget-friendly places in Greece since it targets younger visitors and backpackers. When the island is bustling with tourists during the high season, accommodation costs can go higher, but they remain relatively inexpensive in comparison to Santorini.
You might find these Ios and other Greek island ferry guides to be of use if you're planning an island hopping trip in the Cyclades:
- Athens to Ios by ferry
- Ios to Sikinos by ferry
- Santorini to Sikinos ferry guide
- Santorini island hopping guides
If you found this guide on the ferry Santorini to Ios useful, please share on social media. You'll find some buttons in the bottom right corner of your screen. The image below would look great on one of your Greek island Pinterest boards!
Ios is a beautiful island worth exploring. If you're looking for a more relaxed experience with less parties and crowds of people, try visiting in the off season-June or September. You'll enjoy warmer weather, fewer people and lower prices without sacrificing any amazing scenery!
Have any questions about how to book ferry tickets or how to reach Ios? Leave a comment below, and I'll get back to you!
– Dave Briggs
Dave is a travel writer who's been living in Greece since 2015. In addition to creating this guide about taking a ferry to Ios from Santorini, he's written hundreds of other blog post and itineraries about other islands in Greece.
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Hi Ive been online having taken your advice to book ferry tickets in advance but I note the last ferry from Santorini to Ios leaves early afternoon on any summer ferry schedule I’ve read. Are there extra ferries put on that run later in the evening in July? My plane doesn’t arrive in until 5.30pm and I’m wondering if I will get to Ios on that evening or book accommodation for the night in Santorini.
Hi,
It’s possible that Zante Ferries will add crossings to that schedule, or that extra ships might be added according to seasonal demand. Nothing is guaranteed though.
For a 17.30 arrival, I don’t think you would be leaving the airport itself much before 19.00 even with pre-booked transport.
If you do decide to wait and look to see if ferries are added, I wouldn’t try to get one before 20.00 departure.
Hello, is there a car ferry option from Santorini to Ios, so we can hire a car in Santorini and take it with us to Ios? Thanks Lush
Hi,
Yes there would be – the Blue Star ferry that makes the crossing can take vehicles as can Zante Ferries.
The only thing is, your car hire company insurance will almost definitely not be valid on the ferry. Most car hire companies don’t like you taking the cars from island to island.
Better instead to just hire a new car in Ios – Also, you save on the cost of transporting the car.