With a solid reputation for having the most dramatic panoramic views and picturesque villages, it's no wonder Santorini is one of only a handful of Cyclades Islands that hosts a major airport. In fact, Santorini Airport is one of the busiest in Greece by passenger traffic, and handled over 1.6 million passengers in 2016.
Santorini Airport operates flights from Santorini to Athens and vice versa. It has only one terminal, and although it's somewhat small it still contains a duty-free shop, jewellery store and a cafe. The airport's apron is only able to handle 6 passenger flights at a time.
Santorini Airport is located north of the coastal village Kamari. The local buses from the bus station in Santorini's main town Fira run to the airport, however these don't operate on a regular schedule. Plan in advance to avoid any transportation hiccups.
The most convenient way to get to the airport is via shared transfers provided by Santorini Transport. It's a low-cost but comfortable option, as you'll be sharing the ride and the fare with other airport-bound passengers. Private transfers are also available, allowing you to be picked up from anywhere on the island and dropped off at the airport at any time.
Athens is a wonderful blend of ancient sites and modern attractions. One of the best places to discover Greek culture is in the Plaka District. Its cobbled stone pathways lead to neoclassical houses, traditional tavernas, wine bars, cafes and boutique shops. Downtown is Syntagma Square, home of the Hellenic Parliament Building and many ancient statues. Visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to witness the Evzones at the ceremonial changing of the guard. A trip to Athens is also not complete without visiting its famous archaeological ruins and landmarks, such as the Parthenon, Old Temple of Athena and the Temple of the Athena Nike.
Flights from Santorini land in Athens International Airport–located a little over 20 km east of central Athens by road. Non-stop buses run 7 days a week from the arrivals level. Tickets can be purchased on board or from the ticket kiosk outside arrivals between exit 4 and exit 5. At exit 3 there's a taxi rank where you can take a cab to the city.
For trains, Metro Line 3 connects the airport to Syntagma station. These run from early in the morning until late at night. The Athens Suburban railway or Proastiakos operates to the Athens Central Railway Station and Acharnai Railway Centre.