Santorini to Naxos Itinerary
Travel Santorini to Naxos: ferry schedules, must-see beaches and a complete itinerary across the Cyclades.
Complete guide for traveling to Naxos from Santorini.
Naxos is the largest island in the Cyclades and a natural next stop after Santorini for travellers who want sandy beaches, mountain villages, and a more authentic Greek atmosphere. The Santorini to Naxos ferry takes between 1 hour 30 minutes (high-speed) and 2 hours 30 minutes (conventional) and runs daily during peak season (May–October), with several departures per day in July and August. Boats leave from Santorini's Athinios Port and arrive at Naxos Port, in the heart of Chora — the island's pretty whitewashed capital.
High-speed ferries are operated by SeaJets and Golden Star Ferries, while Blue Star Ferries runs conventional boats that also carry vehicles. One-way tickets cost €40–€70 in economy class for high-speed crossings, or €25–€40 for conventional ferries. Booking early is wise: in August, the most popular departures (around 10:00 and 14:30) often sell out a week in advance. Most ferries continue on to Paros and Mykonos, so you can extend the trip into a multi-island Cyclades itinerary.
The port is right on the seafront in Chora, so you can walk to most central hotels in 5–15 minutes. Taxis line up immediately outside the port building, and bus connections to Plaka, Agios Prokopios, and the inland mountain villages depart from a stop just behind the main waterfront. If you plan to explore the island independently, rent a car at the port; you'll need wheels to reach Apollonas, Halki, and the marble-paving paths through the Tragaea valley.
Combining Santorini and Naxos gives you the best of two very different islands: cinematic caldera views and luxury cave hotels in Santorini, then long sandy beaches, family-run tavernas, and Cycladic hiking on Naxos. Three nights in each is the most popular split, leaving time for an afternoon ferry hop without rushing. Many couples and families also use Naxos as a budget-friendly base, since hotels and food are typically 30–40% cheaper than in Santorini.