Only 6 of the Cyclades islands have their own airport: Santorini, Mykonos, Paros, Naxos, Milos and Syros. Every other island in the group, from Ios and Tinos to Sifnos and Folegandros, is reached by ferry, usually after a flight into Athens or one of those 6 islands. Picking the right airport can save you half a day of travel, so this guide sets out which Greek islands have airports in the Cyclades, which ones you can fly to direct from the UK, and the nearest airport for every island without one.
Cyclades airports at a glance
The Cyclades have 6 airports. Santorini and Mykonos take direct summer flights from the UK, while Paros, Naxos, Milos and Syros only have domestic flights, mostly from Athens.
- Direct from the UK: Santorini (JTR) and Mykonos (JMK), in summer
- Domestic only: Paros (PAS), Naxos (JNX), Milos (MLO) and Syros (JSY)
- Flight from Athens: about 35 to 50 minutes to any of the 6 islands
- No airport: Ios, Tinos, Sifnos, Folegandros, Amorgos, Andros, Serifos, Kythnos, Koufonisia and the other small islands
- All year: every Cyclades airport has flights from Athens through the winter
Which Cyclades Islands Have Airports?
These are the 6 Cyclades islands with airports. Each card links to our full guide for that airport, with bus times, taxi fares, car hire and flights.
JTRUK flightsSantorini Airport
Santorini (Thira) International Airport
- 5 km from Fira, 17 km from Oia
- Direct summer flights from 8 UK airports
- KTEL bus to Fira for 2.20 euros
JMKUK flightsMykonos Airport
Mykonos Island National Airport
- 3.3 km from Mykonos Town
- Direct summer flights from London and Manchester
- Hourly KTEL bus to Fabrika for about 2 euros
PASParos Airport
Paros National Airport
- 10 km from Parikia, 20 km from Naoussa
- Flights from Athens, Mykonos and Thessaloniki
- Close to Pounta for the ferry to Antiparos
JNXNaxos Airport
Naxos Island National Airport
- 3.5 km from Naxos Town
- Flights from Athens all year, plus seasonal routes
- Next to the beaches at Agios Prokopios
MLOMilos Airport
Milos Island National Airport
- 5 km from Adamas port
- Flights from Athens, Santorini, Mykonos and Thessaloniki
- Only around 15 taxis on the island
JSYSyros Airport
Syros Island National Airport
- 2.5 km from Ermoupoli
- A few flights a week from Athens
- No airport bus, so take a taxi
Cyclades Airports Compared
The table below puts all 6 airports side by side, so you can see at a glance how far each one is from the main town and whether you can fly there direct from the UK.
| Airport | Code | Distance to main town | Direct UK flights | Flight from Athens | Airport bus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santorini | JTR | 5 km to Fira | Yes, in summer | About 45 minutes | Yes, 2.20 euros |
| Mykonos | JMK | 3.3 km to Mykonos Town | Yes, in summer | About 40 minutes | Yes, about 2 euros |
| Paros | PAS | 10 km to Parikia | No | About 40 to 45 minutes | Yes, a few times a day |
| Naxos | JNX | 3.5 km to Naxos Town | No | About 45 to 50 minutes | No, beach buses pass nearby |
| Milos | MLO | 5 km to Adamas | No | About 40 minutes | Summer only, 2 euros |
| Syros | JSY | 2.5 km to Ermoupoli | No | About 35 minutes | No |
Greek Islands With Airports and Direct Flights From the UK
In the Cyclades, only Santorini and Mykonos take direct flights from the UK, and only between spring and autumn. Santorini has the widest choice, with flights from London, Manchester and several regional airports. Mykonos has fewer routes, mainly from London and Manchester. In winter, both islands can only be reached through Athens.
| Island | UK airports with direct summer flights | Airlines |
|---|---|---|
| Santorini (JTR) | London Heathrow, London Gatwick, London Stansted, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh and Leeds Bradford (new for 2027) | British Airways, easyJet, Jet2, Ryanair, TUI |
| Mykonos (JMK) | London Heathrow, London Gatwick, London Luton and Manchester | British Airways, easyJet, Wizz Air |
Direct flights take about 4 hours from London. Routes and airlines change every season, so check the airline websites before you book. If your island has no direct flight, the usual plan is to fly to Athens and then take a short domestic flight or a ferry.
Small and Quiet Greek Islands With Airports
If you want a quieter Greek island with an airport, the other 4 Cyclades airports are worth a look. None of them has international flights, so they never see the crowds of charter passengers that land on Santorini and Mykonos in August.
- Naxos is the largest island in the Cyclades, with long sandy beaches a few minutes from the runway and mountain villages inland. It is a good choice for families.
- Paros is busier than Naxos but still relaxed, with the fishing harbour of Naoussa and the short hop over to Antiparos.
- Milos is famous for Sarakiniko and its volcanic coastline, and it is small enough that the airport is only 10 minutes from the port.
- Syros is the quietest airport of all, with only a few flights a week, and it sits right next to Ermoupoli, the elegant capital of the Cyclades.
Flights Between the Cyclades Islands
Most island hopping in the Cyclades is done by ferry, because nearly every flight goes through Athens. There are a few small exceptions. Mysky, a small Greek airline, runs short hops between some of the islands in summer, and Aegean and Sky Express link several of them with Thessaloniki, Heraklion and Rhodes.
| Route | Airline | Flight time |
|---|---|---|
| Mykonos to Paros | Mysky | About 15 minutes |
| Santorini to Milos | Mysky | About 30 minutes |
| Mykonos to Milos | Mysky | About 45 minutes |
| Thessaloniki to Paros, Naxos, Milos or Syros | Aegean Airlines or Sky Express, seasonal | About 1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 25 minutes |
| Heraklion, Crete to Naxos | Aegean Airlines, seasonal | About 50 minutes |
For every other island pair, take the ferry. Our Cyclades ferry guide lists every route with journey times.
Map of the Cyclades Islands With Airports
The 6 airports are spread across the group. Syros and Mykonos are in the north, Paros and Naxos sit side by side in the middle, Milos is out on its own to the west, and Santorini is in the far south. That spread is handy, because almost every island without an airport is within a short ferry ride of one that has one.
Cyclades Islands Without an Airport
Most of the Cyclades have no airport at all, and many visitors are surprised to find that popular islands such as Ios and Tinos can only be reached by sea. Here is the nearest airport for each one.
| Island | Nearest airport | How to get there |
|---|---|---|
| Ios | Santorini (JTR) | Fly to Santorini, then take the ferry north to Ios. Naxos and Paros also have ferries to Ios. |
| Tinos | Mykonos (JMK) | Fly to Mykonos, then take the short ferry to Tinos, or sail from Piraeus or Rafina. |
| Sifnos | Milos (MLO) | Fly to Milos and take the ferry to Sifnos, or sail direct from Piraeus. |
| Folegandros | Santorini (JTR) or Milos (MLO) | Fly to either island, then take a ferry to Folegandros. |
| Amorgos | Naxos (JNX) | Fly to Naxos, then take a ferry to Katapola or Aegiali. |
| Koufonisia | Naxos (JNX) | Fly to Naxos, then take a ferry to Koufonisia. |
| Andros | Athens (ATH) | Fly to Athens, then take the ferry from Rafina, the port closest to the airport. |
| Serifos | Athens (ATH) or Milos (MLO) | Sail from Piraeus, or fly to Milos and take a ferry north. |
| Kythnos | Athens (ATH) | Sail from Piraeus or Lavrio. |
Does Ios Have an Airport?
No. There is no airport on Ios, although many people search for one. The nearest airport is Santorini, just to the south, which has direct summer flights from the UK. From there, ferries run to Ios several times a day in season. See our guide on how to get to Ios for ferry times.
Does Tinos Have an Airport?
No. Tinos has no airport. Most visitors fly to Mykonos, which is a very short ferry ride away, or take the ferry from Rafina or Piraeus after landing in Athens.
Does Sifnos Have an Airport?
No. Sifnos has no airport. You can sail direct from Piraeus, or fly to Milos and take a ferry. Once you arrive, our Sifnos bus timetable will help you get around.
Other Greek Islands With Airports
Outside the Cyclades, many of the larger Greek islands have their own airports, and several of them take direct flights from the UK in summer. These are the best known.
| Island | Island group | Airport code |
|---|---|---|
| Crete | Crete | HER (Heraklion) and CHQ (Chania) |
| Rhodes | Dodecanese | RHO |
| Kos | Dodecanese | KGS |
| Karpathos | Dodecanese | AOK |
| Corfu | Ionian | CFU |
| Zakynthos | Ionian | ZTH |
| Kefalonia | Ionian | EFL |
| Skiathos | Sporades | JSI |
| Samos | North Aegean | SMI |
| Lesvos | North Aegean | MJT |
Crete is the most useful of these for a Cyclades trip, because high speed ferries link Heraklion with Santorini in summer.
How to Choose the Right Cyclades Airport
- Start with your island. If it has an airport, fly there. If not, use the table above to find the nearest one.
- Check for a direct UK flight. In summer, flying straight to Santorini or Mykonos saves you a connection in Athens.
- Compare the flight with the ferry. Domestic flights from Athens are quick, but seats are limited and small planes have tight baggage rules. A ferry is often easier for Syros, Paros and Naxos.
- Leave room for the weather. Strong summer winds can delay both flights and ferries, so allow a spare night before an international flight home.
- Sort your transport before you land. Taxis are scarce on the smaller islands, so book a taxi, transfer or hire car in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cyclades Airports
Which Greek islands have airports in the Cyclades?
6 Cyclades islands have airports: Santorini (JTR), Mykonos (JMK), Paros (PAS), Naxos (JNX), Milos (MLO) and Syros (JSY). Every other island in the group is reached by ferry.
Which Cyclades islands have international airports?
Santorini and Mykonos are the only Cyclades airports with international flights, and these run in summer. Paros, Naxos, Milos and Syros only have domestic flights.
Can I fly direct from the UK to the Cyclades?
Yes, in summer. Santorini has direct flights from 8 UK airports, including London, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol and Edinburgh. Mykonos has direct flights from London and Manchester. In winter you need to change in Athens.
Which is the best airport for the Cyclades?
It depends on your island. Santorini and Mykonos are best if you want a direct flight from the UK. For Paros, Naxos, Milos or Syros, fly to Athens and take a short domestic flight or a ferry.
Does Ios have an airport?
No. Ios has no airport. The nearest airport is Santorini, and ferries run from Santorini to Ios several times a day in summer.
Does Tinos have an airport?
No. Tinos has no airport. Fly to Mykonos and take the short ferry to Tinos, or sail from Rafina or Piraeus.
Does Sifnos have an airport?
No. Sifnos has no airport. You can sail direct from Piraeus or fly to Milos and take a ferry.
Does Folegandros have an airport?
No. Folegandros has no airport. The nearest airports are Santorini and Milos, both linked to Folegandros by ferry.
Does Amorgos have an airport?
No. Amorgos has no airport. The nearest is Naxos, which has ferries to both Katapola and Aegiali.
What are the small Greek islands with airports?
In the Cyclades, the smaller islands with airports are Milos and Syros, along with Paros and Naxos. Outside the Cyclades, Astypalaia, Karpathos, Kythira, Ikaria and Skyros also have small airports.
How long is the flight from Athens to the Cyclades?
Flights from Athens to the Cyclades take about 35 to 50 minutes. Syros is the shortest at about 35 minutes, and Naxos is among the longest at about 45 to 50 minutes.
Can you fly between the Cyclades islands?
Only on a few routes. Mysky runs short summer flights such as Mykonos to Paros and Santorini to Milos. For most island hopping, the ferry is the only option.
Are the Cyclades airports open all year?
Yes. All 6 Cyclades airports have flights from Athens through the winter, but international flights to Santorini and Mykonos only run in the warmer months.
Which Cyclades airport is closest to town?
Syros Airport is the closest, about 2.5 km from Ermoupoli. Mykonos Airport is about 3.3 km from Mykonos Town, and Naxos Airport is about 3.5 km from Naxos Town.
Final Thoughts
With only 6 airports across more than 20 inhabited islands, getting to the Cyclades is usually a mix of a flight and a ferry. In summer, the simplest plan is a direct flight to Santorini or Mykonos, then a boat to wherever you are staying. Out of season, Athens is the gateway to every island. Once you know which airport you are using, open the full guide for that airport, and check our guide to the Cyclades islands to plan the rest of your trip.
