Combining the Cyclades with the Ionian islands is an itinerary of dreams. Start a trip amongst Santorini’s whitewashed buildings and blue domes and embrace Aegean allure, continuing to colorful Corfu with its fortresses. Exciting, right? But before researching what to see and do in Corfu, take a step back. There’s a vital first step: figuring out how to get from Santorini to Corfu.
Understandably, tourists fall prey to the false assumption that Santorini will have direct ferry links to Corfu. After all, the Greek islands have become synonymous with island hopping and easy-breezy sailing. Unfortunately, this route is not that simple.
Getting from Santorini to Corfu requires a little extra planning by sea. In fact, despite the notorious Athens stopover, it often makes more logistical sense to fly. There is wealth in options, though; this guide will cover all the ways it’s possible to travel between these sought-after islands.
How Far is Corfu from Santorini?
Here’s the important thing: Corfu and Santorini are miles apart. Quite literally. The distance between the two is approximately 600 km (370 miles) as the crow flies, and transport between them takes a minimum of around three hours.
Greece is famed for island hopping. However, these islands are not within the same clusters or even neighboring groups. Santorini is part of the southern Cyclades, situated southeast of Athens, while Corfu is located on the opposite side of the mainland — hugging the northwestern shoreline. Santorini is roughly in line with the south shoreline of Turkey, while Corfu is directly opposite Albania. That’s a substantial difference in geographical placement.
But what else contributes to that feeling of distance? Surely, there’s a reason for the disjointed transportation options between two of Greece’s most sought-after islands?
It’s not enough to just be able to answer “how far Corfu is from Santorini.” It’s equally important to understand the barriers between them. Firstly, the distance alone is vast enough to discourage direct ferry operators. On top of that, another logistical inconvenience is the Peloponnese Peninsula. This section of the Greek mainland is connected by an isthmus (a narrow section of land connecting what looks more like an island). Essentially, the result of this is a lack of route by sea — forcing seafarers around the peninsula’s coastline unless they have a boat small enough to pass the Corinth Canal.
The island airports are another consideration. As seasoned Greece travelers will know, the flight routes from these small airports are extremely restricted. There’s somewhat of an ‘Athens Curse.’ Travelers usually have to bounce back to the mainland capital to catch a connection rather than taking direct flights between islands. In Corfu and Santorini’s case, the rules are no different.
Santorini to Corfu by Flight – Fastest Option
Casting the curse of Athens stopovers aside, flying remains the fastest option. Santorini International Airport (JTR) has two domestic connections: Athens and Thessaloniki. That means taking a flight to the capital, enjoying a stopover, and then flying onwards to Corfu.
The quickest option takes just 2 hours and 45 minutes; a whistle-stop experience with SkyExpress with a snappy 35-minute connection in Athens. However, a journey of around 4 hours is more popular, with at least an hour or two at Athens International Airport.
The journey from Santorini to Athens takes almost 2 hours. Popular airlines shuttling passengers on this route include SkyExpress and Aegean Airlines — with rates as low as €40. From Athens to Corfu, it’s an hour’s flight, with both SkyExpress and Aegean offering flights on this route, too. Prices are similar, starting at around €30 but exceeding €100 in peak seasons. Early bookings are best for securing the best prices and stopover times.
It’s important to note that flights holding the ‘fastest title’ is somewhat rocky territory. This will depend on what kind of stopover lengths you can find. The shortest sits at 35 minutes, but book late, and you might find all the connections are sold out. This involves waiting around in Athens. In these scenarios, monster-length layovers can exceed 20 hours, teetering your total travel time towards the shudder-worthy 24-hour mark.
Of course, it’s possible to utilize these longer stopovers to leave the airport — exploring Athens and its iconic sights, like the Acropolis. But, that does defeat the purpose for those choosing flights for sheer speed.
Is there a way of flying directly?
The temptation for an easy life is sometimes just too loud to shake. There aren’t any commercial options to organize a direct Santorini to Corfu flight. But if luxury is what you’re craving, who said anything about flying commercially? Organizing a private aircraft charter whittles down the travel time to under 2 hours and avoids Athens completely. It is more of a financial investment but does guarantee a direct and relaxing experience.
Helicopter transfers are another option, especially for those feeling adventurous. Flying in helicopters is entirely different; it fosters a real feeling of exhilaration, especially for first-time flyers. Contact one of Santorini’s many helicopter pilots and transfer companies to enquire about shuttles to Corfu.
Santorini to Corfu by Ferry – A Scenic Journey
Listen, there’s no shame in taking the long route. If anything, experiential and slow travel are key travel trends for 2025 and beyond. Unfortunately, there’s no direct Santorini to Corfu ferry. This route doesn’t make enough logistical sense to operate, so if you’ve got your heart set on flight-free travel, it’s time to get creative.
Santorini to Corfu via Athens – Best Alternative Route
Sometimes, the quieter moments of joy when traveling are finding those off-the-beaten-track routes. If your heart is set on traveling over land (and sea), there is a possible itinerary. Over 13 hours, this alternative route involves a ferry to Athens, a bus ride across the city, and then a 6-hour bus and ferry up the mainland’s western coast and over to Corfu. Is it simple? Not exactly. However, it is one massive adventure.
The first step is finding that initial ferry. The service runs from Athinos Port to the Port of Piraeus, with shuttles run by companies like Fast Ferry, Blue Star Ferries, and (the ironically fastest) Seajets. The Seajets service completes the journey in just 5.5 hours, but the slower boats can take double that. Because of this, it’s important to be conscious of the varying travel times when choosing companies and book early to secure the best deals. There’s a colossal fluctuation in prices, too, starting at €40 and rising to €300. An organized approach is always best.
Once in Athens, it’s a jaunt from the port to the KTEL bus station. The two are 8 km apart, so it’s wise to either take a taxi or take a 40-minute bus ride. If public transport is your pick, the 420 bus leaves from directly outside Piraeus Port.
KTEL Kerkyras is the biggest ride. The Green Bus service trundles passengers through mainland Greece, staying relatively close to the western coastline. It’s a mammoth journey and not for the faint-hearted. After six hours on the clock, you’ll be relieved to step out onto the waiting docks at Igoumenitsa Port.
Igoumenitsa is where it’s time to cross the narrow channel of ocean separating Corfu from mainland Greece. The shuttles take a maximum of 1.5 hours, depending on which company you utilize, and it costs under €10. Companies operating on this route include Kerkyra Lines and Kerkyra Sealines, but research and see what’s available. With that secured — voila! The flight-free route from Santorini to Corfu is no mean feat, but it is quite the adventurous challenge.
Are you in a rush? If not, it’s worthwhile planning to break the journey up and stop off along the route. Athens and even the smaller towns on the mainland are good stopovers. Why not tackle the journey over a few days (or longer) and embrace the fulfillment of slow travel?
Best Way to Travel from Santorini to Corfu – Comparing Options
Ultimately, deciding how to get from Santorini to Corfu falls down to personal preference. Would you like the convenience of a cheap commercial flight? Or is that Athens stopover too much stress and swaying you towards a luxurious private charter? Maybe you’d prefer to scratch flying completely? After all, undertaking the journey by ferry and bus is an exciting recipe for real adventure. There are options, which is always a good thing.
To pick a transportation method — once and for all — here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons for each.
Ferry and Bus: Slow but Scenic
First things first, there’s the 13-hour ferry and bus adventure. Overlanding and crossing seas, this route is admittedly slow but very scenic. These are the pros and cons to weigh up if considering this route:
Pros
- You get more time on the mainland, experiencing a side of Greece most overlook.
- Many people view ferry travel as a must-have experience on the Greek island.
- Going flight-free is eco-friendly.
Cons
- This route is much slower than most flights.
- More organization is required when undertaking this route to Corfu.
- Prices can be the same (if not more expensive) as flying.
- There’s a risk of being stranded if you miss a connection; it’s better for laidback travelers with strong problem-solving skills.
Commercial Flight: Fast and Cheap
Not everyone has the luxury of time, and even those who do might prefer to spend it sunbathing at their destination. Not traveling there. There’s no judgment here; we’ve seen how beautiful those Corfu villas are. Commercial flights involve transits in Athens and are relatively fast and cheap — if you secure good rates and stopover times.
Here are the main factors to weigh up.
Pros
- Commercial flights are cheap.
- Some of these routes can get you from Santorini to Corfu in under 3 hours.
- It’s the most popular method of travel between the two islands.
Cons
- These tickets can be expensive when booked at the last minute.
- Routes with good stopover times sell out quickly, and long waits in Athens could negate the whole point of flying for faster travel.
- Flying is not environmentally friendly.
Private Flight: Fastest and Luxurious
Sometimes, splashing a little (or a lot of) extra cash is worth spending. Private flights have a reputation for being ultimately luxurious, and the truth is, they are. Investing in a private charter means dodging the time-consuming Athens stopover — and treating yourself to a bucket-list experience while you’re at it.
Pros
- Private charters offer the fastest routes, reaching Corfu from Santorini in under 2 hours.
- It’s luxurious and a well-deserved treat to amp up your experience in Greece.
- It provides you with more itinerary control.
Cons
- There are higher costs.
- Companies might have their own policies regarding flight times and stopovers.
- Flying private is even less environmentally friendly.