Santorini Airport: A Guide To Greece's Gateway

Santorini International Airport (JTR) is located in the southeastern part of the island, near Agia Paraskevi. The airport is located about 6 kilometres (3.7 miles) southeast of the centre of the city of Thira and 5 kilometres (3.1 miles) from the capital of the island, Fira. The airport first operated in 1972 and is one of the few Cyclades Islands with a major airport.

Santorini International Airport's location, IATA and ICAO codes

Santorini International Airport is located in Greece, about 6 kilometres (3.7 miles) southeast of the city of Thira. The airport is situated near Agia Paraskevi, with Kamari to its south and the village of Monolithos to its north. It is approximately 5 kilometres from Fira, the capital of Santorini Island.

The airport serves as both a military and civil airport, accommodating medium-sized jets such as the Boeing 757 and 737, as well as smaller aircraft. It has a main asphalt runway (17/35) with a length of 7,208 feet (2,197 metres).

The IATA code for Santorini International Airport is JTR, and its ICAO code is LGSR. These codes are used to identify the airport in various aviation contexts, such as flight schedules, navigation, and air traffic control.

Santorini International Airport offers a range of services for passengers, including duty-free shops, restaurants, cafes, and car rental agencies. Transportation to and from the airport is convenient, with options such as buses, taxis, hotel car pickups, and hired cars available. The airport has been in operation since 1972 and continues to be a significant gateway to Santorini Island, serving both local and international travellers.

How to get to and from the airport

Santorini International Airport (JTR) is located in the southeastern part of the island, near Agia Paraskevi, about 6km from the island's capital, Fira.

Getting to the Airport

By Car

If you are driving to the airport, you can use your GPS to navigate.

By Bus

The airport is served by the KTEL of Santorini and is connected by regular bus services to Fira. The bus station at the airport is located between the buildings of arrivals and departures. A ticket costs €1.80 and can be bought directly from the conductor. There is one bus route per hour, starting at around 05:00 and ending at 20:00.

By Taxi

There is a taxi stand close to the entrance of the airport, with frequent services to Fira. However, during the high season, you may need to wait or book your taxi in advance.

By Hotel Car-Pickup

Check if your hotel provides a free pickup from the airport, as this is likely the most convenient option.

Getting from the Airport

By Car

Car rental companies such as Rent a car lions Rental/Sixt, Hertz and Kiss Rental have offices in the arrivals hall.

By Bus

To leave the airport, passengers can catch the bus to Fira. From Fira, you will need to purchase a new ticket and take another bus to reach other destinations, including the port. A public bus may not always be convenient, but it is the cheapest way to get to and from the airport. Note that a public bus may be subject to delay and you will need to tell the driver where to stop unless it is a scheduled stop.

By Taxi

There are usually a few taxis waiting at the arrivals gate, but it is recommended to book a transfer service in advance.

Airlines and destinations

Santorini International Airport (JTR) is located in the southeastern part of the island, near Agia Paraskevi, with Kamari to its south and the village of Monolithos to its north. The airport is about 5-6 kilometres from the island's capital, Fira.

The airport serves as both a military and civil airport, accommodating medium-sized jets like the Boeing 757 and smaller aircraft like the Avro RJ. Airlines operating regular scheduled and charter flights to Santorini Airport include:

• Aegean Airlines
• Olympic Air
• Ryanair
• Norwegian Air Shuttle
• Scandinavian Airlines
• Swiss International Air Lines
• Thomas Cook Airlines

There are direct flights to Santorini from most major cities in Europe, including:

• Rome
• London
• Paris
• Athens
• Tel Aviv-Ben Gurion
• Milan-Linate
• Rome-Fiumicino
• London-City
• London-Heathrow
• Düsseldorf
• Frankfurt
• Munich
• Stuttgart
• London-Gatwick
• Manchester
• Milan-Malpensa
• Venice
• Heraklion
• Thessaloniki
• Cologne/Bonn
• Vienna
• Copenhagen
• Oslo–Gardermoen
• Stockholm–Arlanda
• Birmingham
• Bristol
• East Midlands
• Leeds/Bradford
• London–Stansted
• Naples
• Nice
• Frankfurt
• Munich
• Luxembourg
• Verona
• Athens
• Bari
• Bergamo
• Dublin
• Gdańsk
• Kraków
• Milan–Malpensa
• Rome–Fiumicino
• Vienna
• Copenhagen
• Oslo
• Stockholm–Arlanda
• Trondheim
• Prague
• Warsaw–Chopin
• Amsterdam
• Brussels
• Lyon
• Nantes
• Paris–Orly
• Birmingham
• Manchester
• Marseille
• Nantes
• Naples
• Palermo
• Toulouse
• Venice
• Verona
• Barcelona
• Rome–Fiumicino
• Bucharest–Otopeni
• Budapest
• Naples
• Warsaw–Chopin
• Istanbul
• Rhodes
• Thessaloniki
• Marseille
• Paris–Charles de Gaulle
• Geneva
• London–Luton

Airport facilities

Santorini International Airport (JTR) is located in the southeastern part of Santorini Island, near Agia Paraskevi. The airport is about 6 kilometres from the island's capital, Fira, and 6 kilometres from the main ferry port (Athinios). It is one of the few airports in the Cyclades and is the eighth busiest airport in Greece, serving nearly 2.5 million passengers.

The airport building is quite small, and the terminal can get very cramped and hot during the peak season. However, the facilities have recently been upgraded with new check-in counters, escalators, conveyor belts, and other passenger facilities. The airport now has the capacity to serve up to nine civilian airliners simultaneously.

At Santorini International Airport, you will find the following facilities:

• ATMs from various banks, including Piraeus Bank, Eurobank, and Euronet.
• Meteorological Applications Center.
• Customhouse services.
• Cargo and baggage belts.
• Flight Information Display System.
• Travel agencies, including Pandair and Plotin.
• Airline offices, such as Olympic Airlines, Aegean Airlines, and Athens Airways.
• Car rental offices, including Hertz, Europcar, and Budget.
• An information desk.
• A waiting lounge.
• Cafeteria and coffee shops, such as Aircanteen and Ontime Coffee & More.
• Currency exchange services.
• Duty-free shopping.
• Free Wi-Fi access.
• Charging stations for electronic devices.
• Luggage carts.

The airport offers transportation options such as buses, taxis, hotel car pickups, and hired cars. It is important to note that there is no left luggage storage facility at the airport.

History of the airport

The history of Santorini Airport, also known as Thira International Airport, can be traced back to the mid-20th century when the need for an airport on the island was first recognized. Before the construction of the airport, the only way to access the island was by boat, which could be challenging due to the often unpredictable weather conditions in the Aegean Sea.

In the early 1970s, the Greek government recognized the potential of Santorini as a tourist destination and initiated plans to develop the island's infrastructure, including the construction of an airport. The airport was designed to serve both domestic and international flights, connecting Santorini with other parts of Greece and the world.

The construction of Santorini Airport began in 1972 and was completed within a few years. It officially opened its doors to domestic traffic in 1976, with a single, short runway of just under 1,700 meters (5,577 feet) and a small terminal building. At the time, the airport could only accommodate small propeller aircraft, and the runway was not equipped with lights, limiting operations to daylight hours.

Over the years, the airport has undergone several expansions and upgrades to accommodate the growing number of tourists visiting Santorini. In the early 2000s, the runway was extended to its current length of 2,125 meters (6,972 feet) to handle larger aircraft, such as narrow-body jets commonly used by low-cost carriers. This expansion opened up direct connections to more distant destinations, including other European countries.

In addition to the runway expansion, a new, modern terminal building was inaugurated in 2002, significantly enhancing the airport's capacity and passenger experience. This new terminal features improved facilities, including larger departure and arrival areas, more check-in counters, and expanded shopping and dining options. The terminal has since undergone further renovations, with the latest upgrades completed in 2015, ensuring that the airport can handle the increasing passenger traffic efficiently and comfortably.

Today, Santorini Airport continues to play a crucial role in the island's tourism industry, providing vital connections to destinations across Europe and the world. While the airport primarily handles seasonal traffic, with peak operations during the summer months, it remains a vital gateway to this beautiful and unique island, contributing significantly to Santorini's thriving tourism sector.

Frequently asked questions