Best way to travel from Santorini to Kythnos island in Greece

You can sail directly by ferry from Santorini to Kythnos up to four times per week during the summer tourist season. There are also other indirect options that might be convenient.

Getting to Kythnos from Santorini

Kythnos island in Greece

If you're planning to do a little island hopping from Santorini on the way back to Athens, Kythnos is certainly a place you can consider.

It's a very different island to Santorini, known for it's great hiking, landscapes, and nature.

Whilst I personally would prefer to add another island stop between Santorini and Kythnos, it is possible to sail directly there a few times a week.

During the summer, a ‘tourist' ferry operated by Seajets leaves Santorini heading for Kythnos once per week. There's also a more regular and slower ferry that travels the Santorini Kythnos route 2 or 3 times per week.

How to get from Santorini to Kythnos

Kythnos is closer to Athens than it is to Santorini, and so whatever method of travel you choose to get to Kythnos from Santorini it is going to involve a reasonable amount of travel time.

As there isn't an airport on the island of Kythnos, flying isn't really possible. That said, you could potentially fly from Santorini into Athens International Airport, and then take a ferry from Athens to Kythnos. I'm not sure how much time this would save you though.

The best way to travel from Santorini to Kythnos is to use a ferry.

During the the busiest months of summer, you may expect up to between 1 and 4 direct ferries per week from Santorini to Kythnos. These ferries to Kythnos from Santorini are operated by Zante Ferries and SeaJets.

You could also look at indirect routes, such as sailing from Santorini to Syros, and then taking a ferry from Syros to Kythnos.

Ferries to Kythnos from Santorini

The quickest ferry from Santorini going to Kythnos takes around 7 hours and 15 minutes, and the slowest vessel sailing to Kythnos from Santorini island takes around 10 hours and 25 minutes.

If there is a significant difference between how long the ferry journey takes, you can expect the quicker boat to be more expensive.

Check out Ferryhopper for Greek ferry tickets and up to date timetables

Kythnos Island Travel Tips

A few travel tips for visiting the island of Kythnos:

  • If you're still not certain where to stay in Kythnos, take a look at accommodation, hotels and apartments on Booking.

  • Planning Greek island hopping routes used to be hard, because there are dozens of different ferry companies, all with their own websites. Ferryhopper have made life a lot easier by putting all the information in one place. It's the site I always use when booking ferry tickets in Greece.


  • The easiest way to get from your Santorini hotel down to the port in time for your ferry to Kythnos is by taking a pre-booked taxi. Welcome taxis offer a great service I use myself not only in Greece but other parts of Europe.

What to see in Kythnos Greece

There's not much of a checklist when it comes to things to do in Kythnos. For sure you'll want to go to the beaches, but also consider exploring some of those hiking paths, or maybe even take a cycling tour of the island.

There's never any shortage of churches to visit in the Cyclades islands of Greece, but try to squeeze in Panagia Kanala especially if you are looking for photo opportunities.

How to take a trip from Santorini to Kythnos FAQ

A few of the frequently asked questions about traveling to Kythnos from Santorini include:

How do you get to Kythnos from Santorini?

The best way to get from Santorini to Kythnos is by ferry boat. There are between 1 and 4 ferries per week sailing to the Cyclades island of Kythnos from Santorini directly, and numerous other options to get there via other islands.

Is there an airport in Kythnos?

There isn't an airport in the Greek island of Kythnos, so the only way to make a trip from Santorini to Kythnos is by taking a ferry. The nearest airport to Kythnos is Athens International Airport.

How long is the ferry crossing from Santorini to Kythnos?

The ferries to Kythnos island from Santorini take between 7 hours and 15 minutes and 10 hours and 25 minutes. Ferry operators on the Santorini Kythnos route may include Zante Ferries and SeaJets.

Where can I buy tickets for the ferry to Kythnos?

The best place to look at Greek ferries to Kythnos online is Ferryhopper. I think it's better that you book your Santorini to Kythnos ferry tickets in advance, but you might also go to a travel agency in Greece after you arrive.

The best way to get to Kythnos island from Santorini in Greece


Which one is Dave Briggs and which one is the donkey on ThirasiaDave Briggs

Dave is a travel writer who's been based in Greece since 2015. In addition to traveling around Greece and writing travel guides such as this one about the Santorini to Kythnos ferry service, he also blogs about bicycle touring around the world.

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