TRAVEL/INSPIRATION/PHOTOGRAPHY
Our Ferry Experience with SeaJets from Mykonos to Santorini
A review of the biggest ferry line in Greece
“The journey not the arrival matters.” — T.S. Eliot
In May 2023, my family and I enjoyed a lovely holiday in Santorini, Mykonos, and Athens, Greece. We were able to island hop primarily by plane. However, we had no choice but to take a ferry from Mykonos to Santorini since there were no alternative options.
A ferry ride between the islands is much less expensive than taking a plane or a helicopter. That being said, we prefer the convenience and speed of airline travel.
We traveled via the SeaJets Ferry, one of Greece’s most extensive and fastest ferry lines. My husband booked tickets directly on SeaJets’ website in advance. SeaJets offers multiple classes. We traveled by economy class.
There are frequent ferry departures from Mykonos to Santorini. Tickets are also reasonably priced.
They have three ferries daily. Each ride costs around $84 per person. We took the first ferry of the day, which typically departs from Mykonos at 9.50 a.m. and arrives in Santorini at 11.45 a.m. The trip to Santorini usually takes around two hours.
Most ferries depart from the New Port of Mykonos. This port serves all ferries and cruise ships. It is situated about a mile north of Mykonos Town in the Tourlos area.
Ferries from Mykonos will stop at Athinios Port in Santorini. This port is located on the southwest side of the island. The port is 6 miles south of Firá, the capital of Santorini.
We traveled in May, which is not even peak season, yet it was pretty crowded.
We were somewhat surprised by the lack of organization we experienced during the ferry journey. Unfortunately, there were no clear protocols in place.
Initially, the ferry was delayed, resulting in a lengthy wait at the port on a muggy May morning. We arrived an hour before our scheduled departure, as my husband prefers to be early for everything when traveling.
We didn’t know precisely when our ship would depart.
The port in Thira, Santorini, had several cafes and shops, which were quite touristy. We had to wait in the cafe or crowded station to escape the sun. My daughter and I chose to grab a quick bite to eat while my husband waited at the station.
When it finally came time to board the ferry, we were disappointed by the boarding process.
There were no security checks whatsoever.
The boarding process was incredibly disorganized, with everyone scrambling to board the ferry. The ferry was docked ten minutes before departure when cars and hundreds of people were loaded.
All passengers boarded via the ramp used for cars. We were instructed to leave our luggage unattended on the car deck. We then found our assigned seats on the passenger deck.
On a brighter note, the cabin was nice and spacious, with a central seating area accommodating most passengers. While the seats were comfortable, the legroom appeared tight in the central part of the cabin. Thankfully, we had the first row of seats with plenty of legroom.
There was also a cafe in the cabin area offering food and drinks for purchase.
The two-hour ride was smooth, surprising for my daughter and me, who are prone to motion sickness. We did not experience any discomfort on this journey.
Upon arrival, we could retrieve our luggage without difficulty, despite the slight chaos, as everyone retrieved their belongings simultaneously.
Once again, passengers were rushed off the ship, which departed quickly after our arrival.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to travel options, we personally prefer taking a flight over a ferry. It tends to be more convenient and faster in our experience.
Have you ever taken a ferry? What was your experience?
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