The sweet spot is late May to mid-June and September to early October, when the sea is warm, the light is golden, and prices and crowds ease off from the July-August peak. High summer (July and August) is hot, packed, and expensive, with beach clubs and nightlife at maximum intensity; it is also when the meltemi, the strong seasonal north wind, blows hardest and can churn up north-facing beaches. Many restaurants, hotels, and clubs open around late April and shutter by late October, so a visit outside that window means a much quieter, semi-closed island.

Most visitors fly into Mykonos Airport (JMK), a short 10 to 15 minute taxi from Mykonos Town, or arrive by ferry from Athens (Piraeus or Rafina, roughly 2.5 to 5 hours depending on the boat) or neighboring islands like Naxos, Paros, and Santorini. Once there, the compact center of Chora is pedestrian-only, so you walk. For getting around the island, use the KTEL public buses (cheap, frequent to major beaches from the Fabrika and Old Port stations), taxis (limited in number and pricey in peak season), or rent an ATV, scooter, or small car; a sea taxi links southern beaches in summer. Skip bringing a large car, as Chora's lanes are impassable to vehicles.