Rome to Santorini is a short, seasonal hop — a little over two hours non-stop across the Mediterranean when the summer schedules are running. Checking every return fare on sale for the season, the direct is remarkably cheap and remarkably consistent: €64–€76 return on Ryanair from Fiumicino, against €217–€239 for the year-round Athens connection. This guide covers who really flies the route, what a return actually costs in euros, and how to plan around the fact that the direct flights largely vanish in winter.
Route: Rome (FCO / CIA) → Santorini–Thira (JTR)
Distance: approximately 1,280 km (795 miles)
Non-stop flight time: about 2h 10m
Direct flights: Yes, but seasonal (roughly April/May to October) — Ryanair and Wizz Air Malta fly non-stop from Fiumicino at €64–€76, with ITA Airways adding seasonal service. Outside summer you connect via Athens, which in our fare data costs about three times as much: €217–€239 on Aegean.
Fares from Rome to Santorini (EUR)
Santorini is a summer island, and its flight schedule follows suit: non-stop service builds from spring, peaks in July and August, and winds down through October. Fares are lowest in the shoulder weeks of May, June and late September, when the weather is still excellent but the crowds and prices ease. The figures below are typical economy return fares in euros; the cheapest are low-cost carrier seats booked well ahead.
| Month | Demand | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| January | via Athens only | off-season |
| February | via Athens only | off-season |
| March | via Athens only | off-season |
| April | — | low (service starts) |
| May | — | medium |
| June | — | high |
| July | — | very high |
| August | — | very high |
| September | — | high |
| October | — | medium (service ends) |
| November | via Athens only | off-season |
| December | via Athens only | off-season |
Checked against every return fare on sale for the season as we write, a strong non-stop return lands around €60–€90 — and the whole direct market is inside that band, at €64–€76 with a median of €76. So €70-odd is simply the going rate, not a find, and under about €66 is a genuinely good one. Those are hand-baggage Ryanair fares; add a bag before comparing. The Athens connection, which is what you fly outside the summer window, is a different tier at €217–€239.
Airlines on this route
Non-stop (about 2h10, summer season):
- Ryanair — the most frequent non-stop operator, flying from Rome Fiumicino and Ciampino; usually the lowest headline fares if you travel light.
- Wizz Air Malta — non-stop from Rome Fiumicino through the summer; another low-cost option to compare.
- ITA Airways — adds seasonal non-stop service from Fiumicino, a full-service choice with a checked bag on standard fares.
One-stop (year-round, via Athens):
- Aegean Airlines and ITA Airways — connect through Athens, and this is usually the only way to reach Santorini by air in winter when the direct flights pause.
- Sky Express — handles many of the Athens–Santorini short hops if you build a connection.
In peak summer the non-stops are both cheapest and quickest, so there’s rarely a reason to connect. In the off-season, an Athens connection is generally your only realistic flying option.
When to book & how to save
- Book 4–8 weeks ahead for summer travel; the popular July–August dates and weekend flights fill first and only get pricier.
- Aim for the shoulder season — May, June and late September offer great weather, thinner crowds and noticeably lower fares than the July–August peak.
- Compare Fiumicino and Ciampino: Ryanair uses both Rome airports, and the cheaper seat is sometimes out of Ciampino — just leave enough time to reach it.
- Watch the bags: the lowest Ryanair and Wizz Air fares include only a small cabin bag — add a checked or larger cabin bag and compare the all-in price against ITA, which usually includes more.
- Travelling in winter? Expect to route via Athens and budget extra time, or consider flying to a bigger Greek island with year-round service.
Arriving in Santorini
Flights land at Santorini (Thira) National Airport (JTR), a compact single-runway airport on the east side of the island, about 6 km from the main town of Fira. There’s no train; a public bus runs to Fira for around €2–€3 but is infrequent, so most visitors take a taxi (roughly €20–€30 to Fira or Oia, and worth agreeing before you set off) or a pre-arranged hotel transfer. The airport is small and gets very busy at summer peaks, so allow extra time on departure.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the flight from Rome to Santorini?
The non-stop flight takes about 2 hours 10 minutes from Rome to Santorini. Connecting itineraries via Athens take longer overall — usually 4 to 7 hours depending on the layover — and are mainly relevant in the off-season when the direct flights pause.
Are there direct flights from Rome to Santorini?
Yes, but they’re seasonal. From roughly April/May to October, Ryanair and Wizz Air Malta fly non-stop, with ITA Airways adding seasonal service. In winter the non-stops stop and you connect via Athens with Aegean, ITA or Sky Express.
How much does it cost to fly from Rome to Santorini?
The two ways of flying this route are far apart. Across the summer dates we could price, non-stop returns ran €64–€76, median €76; the Athens connection ran €217–€239. July and August push the direct fares toward the top of their band, and the direct largely disappears in winter.
What is the cheapest month to fly from Rome to Santorini?
April, May and October are usually the cheapest for non-stop flights. In the dates we could price, direct returns started at €64 and clustered around €76. The July–August peak is the most expensive, so travelling either side of it saves the most.
Which airlines fly from Rome to Santorini?
Non-stop in summer: Ryanair carries the great majority of the cheap fares from Fiumicino at €64–€76, with Wizz Air Malta alongside it at €70–€74; ITA Airways also adds seasonal service but did not appear among the cheapest fares when we checked. Year-round via Athens: Aegean Airlines (€217–€239 in our data), with ITA Airways and Sky Express also serving the onward hop.
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’s small and handles both non-stop summer flights and Athens connections, so arrivals can bunch up — expect a busy terminal at the July–August peaks.
How far in advance should I book Rome to Santorini flights?
Aim for 4 to 8 weeks ahead in summer, and earlier for July, August and weekend departures. Because the direct service is seasonal and demand is concentrated in a few months, popular dates sell out and fares climb the longer you wait.
Is it cheaper to fly on weekdays?
Usually, yes — midweek flights (Tuesday to Thursday) tend to price below Friday–Sunday departures, and a midweek out-and-back can save €20–€60 on a return in high season. Flexibility of a day or two is the easiest saving on this route.
Can I fly direct from Rome to Santorini in winter?
Generally no. The non-stop flights run only in the warmer months (roughly April/May to October). From November to March you’ll need to connect through Athens — Aegean and ITA Airways offer the most reliable winter routings.
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.
