Passage to Santorini does not, we appreciate, entail the simplest of journeys. We've therefore compiled the following information to assist you in making travel plans.

If you're travelling from England, it might interest you to know that Excel Airways operate a number of charter flights direct to Santorini from several UK airports throughout the summer months. Prices seem to vary quite arbitrarily and the maximum stay is 28 nights, though single tickets are also available, albeit to Santorini only.

To Athens
If you're going to fly, the cheapest tickets to Athens are, in our experience, to be found through Easyjet (if flying from Europe) and Orbitz (if flying from the US).

Once in Athens, you'll presumably have decided how you wish to continue the journey - by air or water. As is the convention, flying is more expensive, and ferry more time-consuming. You can either take a bus to Pireas and then a ferry to Santorini, or fly directly, in which case you don't even need to leave the building.

'Talk Talk' phone cards are the best for using public phones.

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To Santorini - by air
Bus 95 runs about every half hour from outside the airport Arrivals terminal to the centre of Athens five minutes walk from the Acropolis. It costs €2.90 each way and takes about 45 minutes. In case you have a stop over in the airport which is interesting only in as much as any other international airport in the world only perhaps a bit less so. Luggage Storage is at the northern end of the arrivals hall.

There are two airlines that fly to Santorini from Athens - Olympic Airways and Aegean Airlines. Aegean Airlines fly jet aircraft, a more somatic experience than the old propeller airbusses of the Olympic fleet. The journey is about 50 minutes on either one. Not much food to be had on either. Bear in mind that demand for tickets will increase dramatically as summer approaches. Schedules currently in operation are detailed below.

www.olympicairlines.com
+30 22860 22493

Flights vary in price considerably and should be booked by telephone. Early booking is recommended for securing best value deals. For current flight schedules, click here.

www.aegeanair.com
+30 22860 28500

Flights vary in price and can be booked through the website or by telephone. Early booking is recommended for securing best value deals. For current flight schedules, click here.

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To Santorini - by ferry
Walk out of Arrivals and onto the main road where you will immediately find bus stops, one of which is signposted for Piraes. There's also a booth at which to purchase a ticket; that will be €2.50 or thereabouts. The journey takes about half an hour. The port and Pireas area generally are littered with shops selling tickets for the ferries. Two companies operate the route between Athens and Santorini: Blue Star and Hellas Flying Dolphins.

Don't forget that all sailings are subject to weather conditions, and cancellations are not infrequent. Check with the Port Authority in Santorini. Tel: +30 22860 22239.

www.bluestarferries.com
+30 210 8919800

Single tickets to Santorini cost €25 and can be booked through the website. Click here for a current schedule of sailings.

www.dolphins.gr
+30 210 4199 000

Hellas currently offers both conventional and 'high speed' sailings (summer only), with prices graded accordingly. The former costs €21.50, the latter somewhere over €30. Tickets can be purchased by telephone. The current schedule of sailings can be found here.

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Once in Santorini
Buses serve both the sea and air ports of Santorini, supposedly to coincide with their arrivals. The service is somewhat erratic, however, and subject to change without notice. Some useful information can be found here, and times can be confirmed by calling KTEL on +30 22860 25404. All buses go to the main terminal in Fira, where you'll find a connecting service to Oia. The fare is 90 cents.

Alternatively, take a taxi - the number to call is +30 22860 22555. Typically, the fare from either port to Oia should be about €15, and from Fira to Oia about €7. Prepare to barter and establish the fare before you get into the car; if you're persuasive you can expect to halve the price initially offered.

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Incorrect information is worse than no information. If you find that anything here is innaccurate or even completely wrong, please email Will.