Establish your itinerary while in Greece. Most international flights arrive in Athens. Determine how many days you want to spend in Athens and how many days you want to spend on each island. Determine what time of year you want to travel. Air and ferry service may be less available during the winter months. Reservations may be required during the busy summer months.
Once you've set your itinerary, decide whether you have the the budget to fly to Santorini. Most islands, including Santorini are served by Olympic Airways. Roundtrip fares to Thira, the Greek word for Santorini, start at about $160. There are usually two flights per day. The island is also served by Aegean Airlines and Air Ninja, a relatively new, low-cost competitor.
Research ferry service, if you are looking for a less expensive alternative to air travel from Athens. Regular and dependable ferry service is available at the port of Piraeus daily from May till September. After November 1, service is usually cut back severely due to weather. Ferry schedules are available online for you to plan accordingly. Check fares and schedules on companies such as Hellenic Seaways and Hellas Flying Dolphins.
Map out your itinerary if you plan cruising between islands. Many travelers will try to see a small group of islands since ferry service is relatively simple and inexpensive. For example, from Santorini, you can catch a ferry south to the island of Crete (Heraklion), east to Rhodes (Rodos) or back north to Mykonos. Depending on your destination, some ferry service can be more lengthy. Many cruise ships offer cabins as well as less expensive deck service.
