London to Santorini is a seasonal short-haul favourite, and in summer you can fly non-stop in about four hours. easyJet, British Airways, Jet2 and Ryanair all serve the route direct from different London airports through the warmer months, so the main choice is airport and price rather than whether a direct exists. This guide covers who flies it, what a fair return costs in pounds, and how to book well.
Route: London (LGW / LHR / STN) → Santorini, Thira (JTR)
Distance: approximately 2,900 km (1,800 miles)
Non-stop flight time: about 3h 55m – 4h 15m
Direct flights: Yes, seasonally — easyJet from Gatwick, British Airways from Heathrow, and Jet2 and Ryanair from Stansted, mainly April to October. In deep winter the direct flights largely pause and you connect via Athens.
Fares from London to Santorini (GBP)
Santorini is a summer island: the direct flights are built around the April–October season, and demand (and fares) peak in July and August and over the Easter and bank-holiday weekends. May, June, September and October are the sweet spot for value and weather. The figures below are typical economy return fares in pounds — the lowest come from the budget carriers booked well ahead.
| Month | Demand | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| January | limited direct — via Athens | very low |
| February | limited direct — via Athens | very low |
| March | — | low (season opens) |
| April | — | medium (Easter) |
| May | — | medium |
| June | — | high |
| July | — | very high |
| August | — | very high |
| September | — | high |
| October | — | medium (season closes) |
| November | limited direct — via Athens | very low |
| December | limited direct — via Athens | very low |
Checked against every return fare on sale as we write: the low-cost non-stops run £86–£119 with a median of £107 — so about £105 is the going rate, and the three-figure "typical" fares often quoted for this route are roughly double what people actually pay. Ryanair supplies most of them from Stansted, with easyJet and Wizz Air level from Stansted and Gatwick. The one alternative we found is Aegean at £223, connecting via Athens from Heathrow. Anything under £96 is a genuinely good price. Bags are extra on the low-cost fares.
Airlines on this route
Non-stop (seasonal, about 4 hours):
- easyJet — frequent non-stops from Gatwick through the summer; usually the widest choice of dates.
- British Airways — non-stop from Heathrow in season, handy if you want the main hub and a fuller service.
- Jet2 — non-stop from Stansted in the core summer months, with a generous checked-bag allowance on package-style fares.
- Ryanair — non-stop from Stansted; often the cheapest headline fare if you travel light.
One-stop (year-round, via Athens):
- Aegean Airlines and Olympic Air via Athens — the reliable way to reach Santorini in winter when the direct flights pause, with quick onward hops to the island.
In summer, pick on airport and price: Gatwick (easyJet), Heathrow (BA) or Stansted (Jet2, Ryanair). Out of season, an Athens connection with Aegean is the dependable option.
When to book & how to save
- Book 2–4 months ahead for summer — Santorini is a bucket-list island and the best fares and flight times go early.
- Travel in the shoulders (May–June or September–October) for the best mix of warm weather, thinner crowds and lower fares.
- Fly midweek — Tuesday and Wednesday departures are usually cheaper than Friday–Sunday on the budget carriers.
- Watch the baggage rules: the cheapest easyJet and Ryanair fares include only a small cabin bag — add hold luggage at booking, when it is cheapest, and compare the all-in price.
- Consider nearby islands: if Santorini fares spike in peak summer, a flight to a neighbouring Cyclades island plus a ferry can work out cheaper.
Arriving in Santorini
You land at Santorini (Thira) National Airport (JTR), a small airport on the east side of the island, about 6 km from the main town of Fira. There is no train; a local bus runs to Fira for a couple of pounds, while a taxi to Fira costs around £20–£25 and to Oia (the famous sunset village) roughly £30–£40. Taxis are limited in peak season, so pre-book a transfer or hire a car if you are arriving late. Greece uses the euro on the island.
Frequently asked questions
Are there direct flights from London to Santorini?
Yes, seasonally. easyJet (from Gatwick), British Airways (Heathrow), and Jet2 and Ryanair (both from Stansted) all fly non-stop through the summer, roughly April to October. In deep winter the direct flights largely pause and you connect via Athens with Aegean or Olympic.
How long is the flight from London to Santorini?
The non-stop flight takes about 3 hours 55 minutes to 4 hours 15 minutes. A one-stop routing via Athens in winter adds a couple of hours plus the connection time, for a total of roughly 6 to 8 hours depending on the layover.
How much does it cost to fly from London to Santorini?
About £107 return on a low-cost non-stop. The fares we can currently see run £86–£119 on Ryanair, easyJet and Wizz Air, with a connecting Aegean option via Athens at £223. July and August are the busiest weeks and push the seasonal service to the top of its range.
What is the cheapest month to fly from London to Santorini?
May, early June and October are the quietest months with direct flights. Across the departures we could price, the low-cost non-stop held at £86–£119. Peak July and August are the busiest; deep winter has little or no direct service, when you connect via Athens instead.
Which airlines fly from London to Santorini?
Non-stop in season: Ryanair supplies most of the cheapest fares from Stansted at £86–£119, with easyJet (Stansted and Gatwick) and Wizz Air UK (Gatwick) at the same level. British Airways (Heathrow) and Jet2 also fly the route in season, though neither appeared among the cheapest fares we checked. Year-round via Athens: Aegean Airlines (about £223 in our data) and Olympic Air, which keep the island connected through the winter.
Which airport do I fly into in Santorini?
You arrive at Santorini (Thira) National Airport (JTR), the island’s only airport, about 6 km from Fira. It is small and can get busy in summer, so allow extra time and pre-book transport, especially for late arrivals.
How far in advance should I book London to Santorini flights?
Aim to book 2 to 4 months ahead for summer travel. Santorini is one of the most in-demand islands in Greece, so the cheapest fares and best flight times sell out early, particularly for July and August.
Is it cheaper to fly on weekdays?
Usually, yes — midweek departures (Tuesday and Wednesday) tend to be cheaper than weekend flights on easyJet, Jet2 and Ryanair. Shifting your dates by a day or two, and adding hold bags at the time of booking, are the easiest ways to keep the fare down.
Fare guidance based on aifly.one deal tracking and current airline schedules; last reviewed July 2026. Indicative economy returns — always check the live fare before booking.
