Santorini Day Trip from Heraklion Port

Join a Santorini Day Trip from Heraklion Port in Crete and visit one of the most famous islands in Greece.

This 1-day tour includes a fast ferry cruise, a guided bus tour on Santorini, and free time visits to the villages of Oia and Fira. Please note that hotel transfer in Crete is not included, so travelers must arrive at Heraklion Port on their own.

First, you travel by high-speed ferry across the Aegean Sea from Heraklion to Santorini. The crossing takes about two hours and offers a comfortable and relaxing start to your day.

When you arrive on the island, your local guide meets you at the port and takes you to your tour bus. From there, you begin a guided visit to two of the most famous villages in Santorini.

You explore Oia, known for its white houses, blue-domed churches, and spectacular sea views. Then you continue to Fira, the lively capital of the island. Both villages sit high above the caldera and offer stunning panoramic views.

During the one day tour you also enjoy free time to explore at your own pace. You can walk through narrow streets, take photos of the famous scenery, visit local shops, or relax at a café overlooking the sea.

This Santorini excursion combines a comfortable ferry journey with an island tour, allowing you to see the highlights of Santorini in just one day before returning to Crete.

Weekly Schedule

Every Day: English, French, German, Polish.

Also, in Romanian, Hungarian, Spanish, Italian, Czech some days of the week. See below for full schedule.

Price

The price of a Santorini Day Trip from Heraklion Port is 169 euro per adult and 84.5 Euro for children. The cost includes fast ferry tickets both ways, bus transfer and bus guided tour on the island of Santorini with free time visits at Oia and Fira villages.

Highlights

Fast Ferry Across the Aegean. Start your day with a comfortable high-speed ferry from Heraklion to Santorini. Enjoy beautiful sea views as you cross the sparkling Aegean in less than two hours.

Visit Oia Town. Explore the northern tip of Santorini and see the iconic white houses with blue domes. Walk the narrow streets, visit local shops and cafés, and take stunning photos of the caldera.

Explore Fira Town. Spend time in the capital of Santorini. Wander through charming alleys, browse small boutiques, and enjoy a drink or snack while looking out at the volcano and caldera.

Guided Island Tour by Bus. Discover the main highlights of Santorini on a six-hour guided bus tour. Your guide shares local stories, history, and tips while you travel comfortably between the best locations.

Unforgettable Views of the Caldera and Volcano. Stand on the cliffs and admire breathtaking panoramas of Santorini’s caldera, volcanic cliffs, and deep blue waters. Capture incredible photos and enjoy the island’s unique atmosphere.

Santorini Places of Visit

Oia Village:

Oia is located at the northern tip of Santorini and is famous for its stunning views, white buildings, and blue-domed churches. The town is perfect for Instagram photos, with narrow streets winding through shops, art galleries, and cozy cafés.

We spend about two hours exploring Oia before heading to Fira. The drive takes only twenty to thirty minutes, giving you time to enjoy the scenic route across the island.

Fira Town:

Fira is the capital of Santorini. The town sits on top of a dramatic 300-meter cliff and offers amazing views over the Aegean Sea. Many visitors come here to enjoy the famous sunsets and wide sea views. You will see white houses, colorful domes, and bright bougainvillea flowers all around the town. Fira also offers cultural highlights like the Museum of Prehistoric Thera, where you can learn about the island’s ancient history.

During your free time, you can shop in local stores, take beautiful photos, or enjoy lunch at a restaurant with a view. We stay in Fira for about two hours. In high season, you can also join an optional wooden boat cruise to the Santorini volcano for an extra cost. The cruise lasts about one and a half hours, so you will spend less time in Fira if you choose this option.

After our visit, we drive back to Athinios Port, which takes about 20 minutes. There, we board the fast ferry and return comfortably to Heraklion.

Ferry to Santorini Island

Please arrive at Heraklion Port between 07:00 am and 07:30 am. The ferry to Santorini departs at 08:00 am, so make sure you come early. At the port, show your voucher and collect your ferry tickets along with your Santorini tour bus number. Then board the ferry and prepare for departure.

The journey to Santorini’s Athinios Port takes less than two hours across the Aegean Sea. On board, you can visit the snack bar and choose from different food and drinks. Your booking includes standard seats, and you can find your seat number printed on your ticket. You can also see the two available boats at the end of this page.

After you arrive in Santorini, your tour guide meets you outside the ferry and takes you to your bus. Then your six-hour island tour begins. During the day, you visit Oia and Fira and enjoy free time to explore and take photos.

Itinerary

07:00 – 07:30 am: Arrive at Heraklion Port and board the ferry. The ferry departs at 08:00 am for a 2-hour cruise to Santorini.

08:00 am: Boat Departure.

10:00 am: Arrival.

Pass: Athinios Port – Santorini: We board a bus for an island tour.

Stop 1: Oia (1.5 – 2 hours): Explore the charming town of Oia. Enjoy the beauty and take memorable photos.

Stop 2: Fira (2 hours): Visit Fira for 2 hours to explore at your own pace.

04:00 pm: Board the ferry at Athinios Port for the return trip.

06:00 pm: Arrive at Heraklion Port on Crete.

A Complete Guide of the trip

Santorini Tour from Heraklion Includes

Fast ferry boat tickets both ways from Heraklion port.

Bus Guided tour on Santorini island.

Free time on Oia and Fira towns.

Professional tour guide (live).

Insurance.

All Taxes.

Cancel up to 24 hours prior to departure time and receive a full refund.

Excludes

Hotel pick up and drop off.

All meals and drinks.

Optional cruise to the volcano. Extra cost 20€ per person. Not available during low season. Payable directly on the tour bus.

Platinum seats instead of standard. Extra Cost 50€ per person.

Volcano and Hot Springs Boat Trip (Optional Experience)

During the high season you can join a volcano cruise across the caldera.

A traditional wooden boat takes you to Nea Kameni, the island where the active volcano of Santorini is located.

During this trip you can:

Walk on volcanic rock
See sulfur vents near the crater
Swim in the warm mineral water of the hot springs

The boat trip lasts about 1.5 hours.

Price: 20€ per person
Payment: on Santorini

Meeting Location:

At ticket kiosk of Heraklion port. The parking area is exactly infront of the kiosk. Google Map.

This Heraklion port to Santorini day trip does not include transfer in Crete. If you wish to have such a transfer you need to book the option that offers such a service. Note that if your hotel is in Heraklion center we can not provide transfer unless it is agreed from before.

Weather Conditions:

At the start of the season (April) and at the end (October), the weather can sometimes be unpredictable. Always check the forecast in Heraklion before booking your Santorini day trip. If you need to change the date, you can do so easily with no extra fees. In the rare case that the tour is canceled due to bad sea conditions, you will receive a full refund. Only the port authorities in Heraklion have the authority to decide if a ferry can depart.

High Season:

During July, August, and September, Santorini gets very busy, and small delays may happen. Our team will do everything possible to keep your tour on schedule and make your day smooth and enjoyable.

Essentials:

Comfortable walking shoes.

Sun protection items.

Booking Information:

On your Heraklion to Santorini day trip ticket and email, you will find full details about the meeting point. We also include a Google Maps pin and a photo of the ticket kiosk at Heraklion Port, so you can find the exact location easily and without confusion.

Our team stays available at all times to support you. You can contact us whenever you need help, and we will give you an emergency phone number for direct assistance. This way, you can start your Santorini tour feeling relaxed and confident.

This tour starts at Heraklion Port.

It does not include hotel pickup in Crete.

If you want hotel transfer, please book the Santorini Tour from Crete with Transfer option.

Emergency Number:

By choosing this Santorini Day Trip from Heraklion, you will also receive an emergency phone number. You can use it if you forget your meeting point, miss your bus, or need help for any other reason. Our team will support you from the start of the tour until the very end.

Ferry Information

The tour uses a modern high-speed ferry by Seajets.

Travel time: about 2 hours each way

The ferry offers:

• indoor air-conditioned seating
• restrooms
• snack bars and drinks
• outdoor sea-view decks
• optional satellite Wi-Fi

You can move freely inside the ferry during the trip.

What to Bring

• Comfortable walking shoes
• Sunscreen and sunglasses
• Hat for sun protection
• Passport or ID for ferry check-in

Not Suitable:

The Santorini day trip from Heraklion port is not for individuals in wheel chairs.

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