The journey from the stunning Cycladic island of Santorini to the larger, southern-most Greek island of Crete is 88 miles (141 km) across the glittering Aegean Sea. The fastest and most practical way to hop between Santorini and Crete is by ferry.
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The ferry crossing from Santorini to Crete is approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes on ferries servicing this route. Santorini to Crete ferry duration can range between 1 hour 45 minutes and 6 hours 20 minutes depending on the operator you are sailing with.
The fastest and most practical way to hop between Santorini and Crete is by ferry. Many different ferry companies operate the line between the Santorini Thira Port and the Heraklion Port on Crete. If you don't wish to travel by water, it is possible to fly from Santorini to Crete.
Crete is Greece's largest island—just driving from one end to the other makes for a five-hour journey, and there's much to do and see in between. If you want to experience all Crete has to offer, plan to spend a full week exploring its monasteries, olive groves, towns, and coast.
Usually it makes sense to go to the farthest island (Crete) first. Also, since you are going near the end of the 'season' it's best to visit Santorini last, since its season lasts a bit longer, thanks to cruise ships etc.
Santorini is the top tourist destination in Greece and is world-famous for its unique natural beauty. The caldera with the white villages on top, the sunken volcano, and the charming sunset make it a popular place for vacation. In brief, we recommend staying 3 to 5 days in order to visit as many places as possible.
Best Islands Close to Santorini. There are five Greek islands around Santorini: Ios, Sikinos, Folegandros, Anafi and Anydros. A bit farther on the Greek islands map but still close to Santorini, there are Milos, Paros and Naxos, as well as the smaller islands of Koufonisia, Schoinousa and Sifnos.
You can spend as much or as little as you want in Crete. At the budget end of the spectrum, you're aided by the island's size and popularity, which means options are many. With some planning and shopping around, you can get good deals on transport and accommodation.
The most affordable Greek Islands to visit include Crete, Andros, Tinos, Corfu and Naxos. These cheap Greek Islands don't get nearly as many visitors as others, making everything from transportation to food and accommodations more affordable. And often, they're not even very far from the more popular islands.