Santorini Airport (JTR) is a relatively small airport serving one of Greece’s most popular islands. If you’re flying into Santorini or heading home after your trip, knowing what to expect can make your arrival and departure much easier.
I expected Santorini Airport to be much more chaotic than it was. Instead, both our arrival and departure were incredibly easy, from baggage claim and rental-car pickup to check-in and security.
Of course, Santorini gets BUSY during peak season, so your experience may be different. Here’s what you need to know about navigating JTR Airport, including transportation, security, food, shopping, seating, and how early to arrive for your flight.
Santorini International Airport (JTR) is compact and relatively easy to navigate. You’re not dealing with endless terminals, trains between concourses, or a 25-minute walk to your gate.
Everything is fairly close together, which makes getting through the airport much more manageable than at larger international airports.
The airport operates around the clock, although individual restaurants and shops have their own operating hours.
Despite how popular Santorini is, I found the airport surprisingly straightforward. The biggest consideration isn’t necessarily the airport’s size, but how many flights are arriving or departing around the same time.
If you’re still organizing your trip, my The Perfect 5 Days in Santorini Greece: A Complete Itinerary can help you plan what to see and do between your arrival and departure.
Our arrival at Santorini Airport was so easy and fast.
After getting off the plane, we headed into baggage claim. There are only a few baggage carousels, so figuring out where to collect our luggage was simple.
And our bags started coming out almost immediately!
From the time we reached baggage claim, I would estimate we waited about five minutes before collecting our luggage.
After dealing with airports where you start wondering if your suitcase decided to extend its vacation without you, this was a very pleasant surprise.
Obviously, I wouldn’t expect baggage claim to be this fast every time. If several flights arrive around the same time, especially during peak summer, you could end up waiting considerably longer.
But for us, it was one of the easiest airport arrivals we’ve experienced.
Also ridiculously easy. We rented our car through Avis, which has a counter at Santorini Airport.
After collecting our luggage, we walked straight to the rental-car counter, completed the paperwork, and headed outside to pick up our car. The rental cars were located across the road, about a two-minute walk from the terminal. The entire process took us less than 15 minutes!
If you’re renting a car at Santorini Airport, check whether your rental company has a counter inside the terminal and where its vehicles are located. Our pickup was incredibly convenient, but other companies may have different pickup arrangements.
I particularly liked being able to get off the plane and immediately have transportation rather than arranging a separate airport transfer.
You can also read my Driving in Santorini Greece: Everything You Need to Know About Renting a Car for more information about driving conditions, parking, and what to expect on the island’s roads.
Our departure was just as straightforward as our arrival. We got to Santorini Airport about two hours before our flight, checked in, dropped off our luggage, and went through security.
The entire process took approximately 15 minutes. Seriously. Fifteen minutes!
I had expected much longer lines considering how many people visit Santorini, but everything moved quickly.
We did end up having a short flight delay afterward, although that had nothing to do with navigating the airport itself. Once boarding started, we headed to our gate and got on the plane.
Airline check-in counters are located in the departures area, and because the airport is fairly small, finding the correct counter is relatively straightforward.
If you’ve already checked in online and only have carry-on luggage, you may be able to head directly toward security with your boarding pass, depending on your airline and destination.
Check in online whenever possible, and keep your boarding pass and identification somewhere easy to reach. I also wouldn’t cut your timing too close just because JTR is small. Small airport does not always equal empty airport!
Even though we got through check-in and security incredibly quickly, I wouldn’t recommend arriving at Santorini Airport at the last minute.
Here’s how much time I would personally allow:
I would allow extra time during peak summer, especially if you’re checking luggage or flying internationally. These are my personal recommendations, so always follow your airline’s specific check-in requirements.
Could you get through much faster? Absolutely. We did!
But I’d rather be sitting inside the airport thinking, “Wow, that was easy,” than sitting in traffic thinking, “Why did I think a tiny island airport wouldn’t be busy?”
Security at Santorini Airport was surprisingly easy.
We were through in approximately five minutes, which was much faster than I expected.
The screening process is similar to what you’ll find at most airports. You’ll have your boarding pass checked, place your carry-on belongings through the security screening equipment, and pass through the passenger screening area.
Depending on the screening instructions, you may need to remove certain items, such as electronics, outer layers, belts, or shoes.
There’s also an area where you can empty your water bottle before going through security.
We may have gotten lucky with our timing, so I definitely wouldn’t plan your arrival around the assumption that security will always take five minutes.
Keep anything you might need to remove during security somewhere easy to access in your carry-on. And don’t forget to empty your reusable water bottle before screening!
Yes! Santorini Airport actually has more food options than I expected for such a small airport. You’ll find a mixture of bakeries, cafés, quick-service restaurants, and places serving Greek and international food.
However, not every restaurant is accessible from every part of the airport.
Some are located before security, while others are in the Schengen or Non-Schengen departures areas. Your available options will depend on your flight and which part of the terminal you can access.
Here are the food options listed in the airport directory.
Not every restaurant is accessible from every part of Santorini Airport. Your options depend on whether you’re before security, in Schengen departures, or in Non-Schengen departures. Check the location before deciding where to eat!
And if you’re still deciding where to eat during your trip, my Where to Eat in Santorini Greece: Restaurants We Actually Tried covers the restaurants we visited around the island.
Yes, although don’t expect a giant airport shopping mall. Santorini Airport has a handful of shops where you can pick up souvenirs, travel essentials, and last-minute purchases.
The airport directory lists several retailers, including the following.
Athens Protasis specializes in handmade fashion jewelry. This could be a good option if you’re looking for a last-minute souvenir that’s something other than another refrigerator magnet.
Connect Phone sells SIM cards, phone accessories, chargers, and other travel-related electronics. Basically, the place to go if you somehow made it all the way to the airport before realizing your phone charger disappeared.
Occhio Papavasiliou is an eyewear retailer selling sunglasses and other optical products.
Santorini Airport also has Hellenic Duty Free shopping, with products such as perfumes, cosmetics, food, drinks, electronics, sunglasses, and watches. It’s a convenient option if you want to pick up a few last-minute souvenirs or gifts before leaving Greece.
Just remember that duty-free eligibility and allowances depend on your destination, and store access may vary by departure area.
Overall, I thought there was a lot of seating. When we initially got through security, we had no problem finding somewhere to sit while waiting for our flight. However, things changed once our flight was delayed. As more passengers began arriving and flights started backing up, the seating areas became noticeably more crowded.
That’s probably the biggest downside of a smaller airport like JTR. When everything is operating normally, the seating may be perfectly adequate. But when several flights are delayed around the same time, those waiting areas can fill up pretty quickly.
We were still able to manage just fine, but it’s something to keep in mind if you’re traveling during peak season or have a longer wait before departure.
Since airport delays can happen even when check-in and security go smoothly, I like having a few things with me to make the wait more comfortable.
A portable charger, organized carry-on, and something to keep my belongings together can be especially useful when I’m spending extra time at the airport.
Here are three travel products I would consider packing for a flight through Santorini Airport.
The bathrooms we used were located near the food court area. And because apparently this is universal…There was a wait for the women’s bathroom.
There were only three stalls on the women’s side when we visited, so the line built up fairly quickly. It wasn’t a huge deal, but with so many passengers sharing a relatively small airport, I can see how the bathrooms could become crowded during busier departure periods.
If your flight is boarding soon, maybe don’t wait until the absolute last second to use the restroom.
For us? Not at all! Actually, Santorini Airport was one of the easiest airport experiences of our Greece trip.
I had expected much more chaos considering how popular the island is, so I was pleasantly surprised by how efficiently everything worked. Would I expect every visit to go quite that smoothly? Probably not, especially during the busiest summer months.
But I wouldn’t be worried about flying through JTR again. And if you happen to get through security in five minutes like we did, even better. More time for a snack before your flight!
If you end up booking anything for your trip, using my affiliate links helps support my blog at no extra cost to you. I spend a lot of time researching and writing these guides, so I really appreciate the support.
If you’re still looking for accommodation, you can compare hotels and prices through Booking.com.
For a firsthand resort review, read my Radisson Blu Zaffron Resort Santorini Review: Is It Worth It?
If you don’t plan to rent a car, guided tours can be another way to explore Santorini.
You can browse sightseeing tours, boat excursions, and other activities through Viator.
For more inspiration, check out The Best Things to Do in Santorini Greece.
For a longer trip to Greece, my Greece Packing List: Everything You Need for Athens and the Greek Islands covers what to bring.
You can also check out the Airport Backpack and Clutch Powerbank from my Travel Shop.
If you’re traveling through Athens before or after Santorini, my Athens International Airport Guide: What to Know Before You Fly covers what to expect at that airport, too.
Every 6 minutes a new round unlocks, and you can eat your way around the world for two hours. 🌍🍽️
Masons in Kaiserslautern: Korean BBQ, Jamaican jerk chicken, raclette potatoes, crispy baked ricotta from Monaco, and the Belgian cookie cheesecake you’ll still be talking about the next day. €39-45 per person. Bring a group and pace yourself, because they charge for leftovers.
Save this for your next trip to Germany
Sedona got me again 🌵
This was my second trip, and somehow I liked it even more. Every visit adds another trail, viewpoint, or restaurant to the list, and the list keeps getting longer. This time I stayed near Airport Mesa, with sunsets right outside my door and none of the crowds.
My Substack has everything I’d tell a first-time visitor: the lodge I’ve now stayed at twice, the experiences I’d do first, and the restaurants I’d plan my days around.
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YES is always the answer... ✈️
I’m Wendy, and yes, I travel for a living (still pinching myself). After 15 years teaching middle school math, I traded the whiteboard for a passport and never looked back. Knoxville is home base, but Arizona sunsets are on another level, and if it’s been sitting on your list, this is your sign to finally say yes and book it. City guides, hotel reviews, and foodie spots are all on the blog. So glad you’re here 🌵☀️
A café, bakery, market, and wine shop all in one Phoenix stop 🍊
At La Grande Orange, order the crepes first, they’re the thing I’d go back for. The chicken salad sandwich is perfect if someone wants lunch while you’re still on breakfast, and the red velvet mini cupcake and a chai latte round it out. The sea salt chocolate chip cookie is heartier than gooey, so it’s best for dunkers. It’s counter service with easy parking, and the market has quirky gifts you won’t find elsewhere. Leave time to browse, because you’ll stay longer than planned.
Save this for your Phoenix trip ☀️
“Outside Terminal 3” is not a pickup location at PHX.
Before your driver pulls in, text them four things: your terminal, north or south side, door number, and inner or outer curb. Grab your bags first, then call them in. Drivers can wait free in the cell phone lot instead of circling. Getting through security is easy; getting picked up is the hard part.
Save this for your Phoenix trip ✈️
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