Arrivals & local advice
Arriving in Santorini: airport, ferry & cruise pickup guide
Your first journey on the island starts with one useful detail: knowing exactly where you arrive. Here is how to plan your pickup, share the right information and reach your next stop.
Start with the right arrival point
By plane
Santorini Airport (JTR). Send your flight number and scheduled arrival time.
By ferry
Athinios Ferry Port. Send your ferry name, arrival date and scheduled docking time.
By cruise ship
Confirm your landing arrangements. Blue Santorini’s cruise meeting point is at the top of the Fira cable car.
Writing “Santorini port” in a booking request can cause confusion. Athinios Ferry Port and the Old Port below Fira are different places. Match your transfer request to your ticket or cruise instructions, then agree the meeting details with your driver before travelling.
Arriving at Santorini Airport
For a private airport pickup, send your flight number, scheduled arrival time, passenger count and luggage details. Include the exact hotel or villa name, rather than only the village. This helps the team select a suitable vehicle and plan the final drop-off.
Blue Santorini monitors delayed flights and adjusts the transfer to the updated estimated arrival time. If your airline changes the flight number, or you move to a different flight, let us know so we can work from the correct details. Keep a mobile or WhatsApp number available on arrival and follow the meeting instructions confirmed with your reservation.
A pre-arranged transfer is one option. The airport also provides information about public bus services. Check current routes and departure times when comparing transport options, especially if your accommodation requires another connection.
For a closer look at transport choices, meeting your driver and the final journey to your hotel, read our step-by-step Santorini Airport arrival guide.
See airport pickup details and check transfer availability →
Arriving by ferry at Athinios
Use the ferry name and the arrival time shown on your booking when requesting an Athinios pickup. Share your destination, passenger count and luggage, and keep the confirmed meeting instructions easy to find on your phone.
Your scheduled docking time and the moment you are ready to leave the port may differ. You still need to disembark and collect your belongings. If your ferry operator announces a change, contact our team so we can review your pickup arrangements together.
Before walking away from the arrival area, check where you have agreed to meet. The Municipal Port Fund of Thira provides port information and links to ship arrivals; your ferry operator remains the contact for changes to your sailing.
Visiting Santorini on a cruise
Check your cruise line’s instructions for getting ashore. Your ship’s port-arrival time is not automatically the time you will be ready to meet a driver: tender arrangements and the journey from the landing point must fit into your plan.
For Blue Santorini cruise guests, the driver meeting point is at the top of the cable car in Fira. If your tender brings you to the Old Port below Fira, take the cable car up and follow the exact meeting instructions supplied with your reservation. Tell us if your cruise line gives you different landing arrangements before confirming the tour.
The official Santorini Cable Car website explains the connection between the Old Port and Fira and provides current operator information. Allow time for queues and the return journey as well as the ride itself; the time spent getting ashore and back to the ship is separate from your tour time.
Send your ship name, expected time ashore and last-tender or all-aboard time. We can then check which stops fit your available time and agree the meeting and return arrangements. Keep your cruise line’s latest instructions with you on the day.
Check the final approach to your hotel
A village name alone does not describe a drop-off point. Some caldera properties and accommodation in pedestrian lanes are reached by steps or paths. Where a vehicle cannot reach the entrance, the team confirms the closest practical vehicle-access point.
Send the property’s exact name or address and any arrival instructions from your host. Mention mobility needs, a pushchair or bulky luggage before confirmation so the access and vehicle requirements can be discussed.
For accommodation in the north of the island, our airport-to-Oia guide explains the route and hotel-access considerations. You can also check the dedicated Fira and Imerovigli airport transfer pages.
Your pickup checklist
Before sending your request, have these details ready:
- Your arrival date and flight, ferry or cruise ship details.
- The correct pickup point and exact destination.
- The number of passengers, large suitcases and hand-luggage items.
- A mobile or WhatsApp number you can use during your trip.
- Any property-access instructions or special requirements.
- For cruise guests, the expected time ashore and last-tender or all-aboard time.
Submitting a reservation form sends a request. Blue Santorini then confirms availability, meeting instructions and final arrangements by email or WhatsApp. Keep that confirmation available while travelling.
This guide was prepared by the Blue Santorini team, operated by Blue Feather Santorini, using our confirmed pickup arrangements and the official resources linked above. For current flight, ferry and cable-car information, check the relevant operator before travelling. More practical answers are available in our booking guide.