Ferry to Santorini from Athens, Mykonos & more
Although Santorini has an airport and is accessible by plane, a popular way to approach the island is by ferry.
Taking the ferry to Santorini from Athens is the best way to get to the island in terms of traveling experience, as you will get to enjoy the spectacular Caldera from a sea-level view, as well as approach the Volcano itself. The island of Santorini is also connected by ferry Mykonos, Crete and more islands.
Ferries to Santorini from all destinations (except Thirasia island) arrive at the main port of the island, (Athinios or New Port), which lies about 8 km away from Fira, the capital town of the island.
Important notice: Ferry schedules may vary every year. The ferry schedules for the summer season are announced by most ferry companies in March. You can find and book all available ferries on our booking engine, as soon as they are officially announced.
You will find below information about:
• How to get to Santorini by ferry from Athens, Crete (Heraklion), Mykonos, Naxos and more islands
• Book online your ferry tickets to Santorini
• Why book your ferry tickets with Greeka
• Island-hopping from Santorini to other destinations
• Best day trips possibilities from Santorini
• Travel tips
• Frequently Asked Questions
Santorini is located in the Aegean sea and is part of the Cyclades complex. The island’s exact location is in the south part of the Cyclades, and more specifically 127 nautical miles (236 km) from Piraeus in Athens and 80 nautical miles (about 148km) north from Heraklion in Crete. View its location on a map of Santorini.
Santorini, as the reigning tourist destination in Greece, is naturally well-accessed via ferry. Various sea crossings, routes and timetables run all year long and more so during summertime. The ferries operating on this route are either high speed or conventional vessels. Santorini is not only connected by ferry with Athens and Crete, but with many Aegean islands as well, making it an ideal island-hopping destination. Naxos, Paros, Mykonos, Ios, Anafi, Milos, Tinos, Syros are only a few of the popular islands connecting with Santorini. The Athenian ports of Piraeus and Rafina have established routes to and from the island.
Important notice: Ferry schedules may vary every year. The ferry schedules for the summer season are announced by the ferry companies and tickets are available from March. On our booking engine, you will be able to find and book all available ferries as soon as they are officially announced.
FERRY FROM ATHENS TO SANTORINI
Most visitors travelling to Santorini depart from Athens’ port of Piraeus (main port), situated only 12km away from the city center. There are 6 ferry companies with both high-speed and conventional vessels operating 6 ferry crossings daily during the summer season (May-October). During low season, the ferry crossings are down to 2 daily.
Another way to travel to Santorini from Athens is from Rafina port, located only a short distance from Athens International Airport. During the summer season, there are 2-3 daily ferry crossings to Santorini.
> Book your ferry tickets from Athens (Piraeus) to Santorini
• How long is the ferry trip from Athens to Santorini?
The duration of the ferry trip from Athens to Santorini ranges between 4h20m up to a maximum of 10 hours, whereas an average time is 5h30m. This depends on a few variants: the type of vessel (conventional or high-speed), the port of departure (Piraeus or Rafina), the in-between stops to other islands and the weather conditions.
• How much is the ferry from Athens to Santorini?
Prices depend on the ferry type (conventional or high-speed) and the port of departure (Piraeus or Rafina). Some indicative prices are:
- €38 for the conventional Blue Star Ferries from Piraeus with trip duration at 7hrs 45m.
- €79.7 for the high-speed ferry with SeaJets from Piraeus and trip duration at 4hrs 50m.
- €60 for the high-speed ferry with Golden Star Ferries from Piraeus and trip duration at 4hrs 30m.
- €60 the high-speed ferry with Golden Star Ferries from Rafina and trip duration at 4hrs 20m
There are two types of vessels operating the route from Athens to Santorini: the conventional ferries mainly run by Blue Star Ferries company and high-speed ferries run by SeaJets and Golden Star Ferries companies.
> Conventional ferries
The conventional type of ferry consists of a large vessel with many indoor-outdoor spaces and a garage. If you are traveling with a dog, there is an organised kennel but depending on the vessel you can also keep your dog with you on the deck. You will find restaurants, fast food options, cafes and small shops with magazines and miscellaneous products. Air conditioning exists in all interior spaces. The trip with a conventional Blue Star Ferry is the most popular. Difficult weather conditions such as strong winds, do not affect this type of vessel a lot and it is always on time. Also, the trip is quite pleasant thanks to its size and spaces and you get to enjoy the beautiful sea views along with lunch or coffee. Lastly, a big advantage of this ferry type is the garage option for your vehicle. For an extra fee, you can take it with you to Santorini.
Types of seats: Deck/Economy, Air seats/Economy, Air seat/Business, cabins with/without a view.
Price range: €38 - €109
Vehicule: €28.5 (Moto), €91.5 (Car)
Timetable: During the summer season, there are 1-2 ferry crossings daily for this type of vessel to/from Piraeus/Santorini and 1 to/from Rafina.
> High-speed ferries
The high-speed ferries are smaller ferries operating at greater speeds than conventional ones. There are limited outdoor spaces and passengers remain mainly in the indoor area. Only a limited number of airplane-type seats are available and just one or two coffee shops on deck for passengers.
The vessel’s interior is air-conditioned. The SeaJets (Worldchampion jet) ferry has a garage and you may bring your vehicle from Athens to Santorini, but the Seajet 2 and the Golden Star Ferries are only passenger type ferries and you cannot transfer a vehicle.
The big advantage of choosing high-speed ferries is that the journey is much shorter. Keep in mind that since they are small vessels, bad weather conditions (strong winds during summer months) affect them easily and delays may occur quite often. In case you are travelling with strong winds, you might feel a bit seasick.
Types seats: Airplane seat/Economy, Airplane seat/Business and Airplane seat/Vip.
Price range: €60- €109
Vehicule price range: €27(Moto), €89 - €165 (Car)
Timetable: During the summer season, there are 3-4 ferry crossings daily for this type of vessel to/from Piraeus/Naxos and 1-2 to/from Rafina/Naxos.
• Indicative Timetables
Check our booking engine for precise timetables.
- From Athens Piraeus to Santorini
- • 06:50am Golden Star Ferries (5h)
- • 07:00am SeaJets (4h30m)
- • 07:00am SeaJets (4h50m)
- • 07:25am Blue Star Ferries (7h25m)
- From Santorini to Athens Piraeus
- • 07:00am Blue Star Ferries (8h)
- • 11:50am Golden Star Ferries (5h30m)
- • 12:10pm SeaJets (4h50m)
- • 15:00pm SeaJets (5h40m)
- • 15:30pm Blue Star Ferries (7h45m)
- From Athens Rafina to Santorini
- • 07:15am Golden Star Ferries (4h20m)
- From Santorini to Athens Rafina
- • 12:05pm Golden Star Ferries (4h50m)
FERRY FROM CRETE (HERAKLION) TO SANTORINI
Santorini is connected to Crete (Heraklion) by ferry and is very easily accessible. Note that Heraklion in Crete also has an international airport.
> Book your ferry tickets from Crete Heraklion to Santorini
• How long is the ferry from Crete Heraklion to Santorini?
The time by ferry from Crete (Heraklion) to Santorini is from 1h50m to 5h.
• How much is the ferry from Crete Heraklion to Santorini?
The ferry ticket from Crete (Heraklion) to Santorini costs €25- €75 depending on the type of vessel and the seat type.
• What ferries are operating from Crete Heraklion to Santorini?
Two high-speed vessels daily and a conventional ferry are operating this route.
• Indicative Timetable
Check our booking engine for precise timetables.
- From Crete Heraklion to Santorini
- • 08:10am Golden Star Ferries (1h50m)
- From Santorini to Crete Heraklion
- • 15:50pm Golden Star Ferries (1h50m)
FERRY FROM MYKONOS TO SANTORINI
Mykonos to Santorini is the most popular island-hopping destination. Many people arrive to Mykonos by plane as there is an international airport there also and then take the ferry to Santorini.
Note that ferries in Mykonos now only depart from the new port (Tourlos).
> Book your ferry tickets from Mykonos to Santorini
• How long is the ferry from Mykonos to Santorini?
The journey between the two islands ranges from 1h40m to 3h50m, depending on the type of vessel.
• How much is the ferry from Mykonos to Santorini?
The ferry tickets costs from €47 to €66.8.
• What ferries are operating from Mykonos to Santorini?
There are many ferries operating daily and connecting Santorini with Mykonos. The most popular are the high-speed vessels of Golden Star Ferries and SeaJets.
• Indicative Timetable
Check our booking engine for precise timetables.
- From Mykonos to Santorini
- • 08:45am Golden Star Ferries (2h55m)
- • 09:40am Golden Star Ferries (1h55m)
- • 09:50am SeaJets (1h40m)
- • 13:05 Golden Star Ferries (2h15m)
- From Santorini to Mykonos
- • 10:15am Golden Star Ferries (2h20m)
- • 12:05pm Golden Star Ferries (1h55m)
- • 12:10pm SeaJets (1h50m)
- • 12:10pm Golden Star Ferries (3h20m)
- • 12:15pm SeaJets (3h50m)
FERRY FROM PAROS TO SANTORINI
Paros is connected with Santorini by ferry. Note that Paros also has an international airport.
> Book your ferry tickets from Paros to Santorini.
• How long is the ferry from Paros to Santorini?
The trip duration is from 1h50m to 4h40m depending on the vessel.
• How much is the ferry from Paros to Santorini?
The ticket costs €21- €45.9 depending on the vessel.
• What ferries are operating from Paros to Santorini?
The two islands are connected with high-speed and conventional ferries.
• Indicative Timetable
Check our booking engine for precise timetables.
- From Paros to Santorini
- • 09:50am Golden Star Ferries (1h50m)
- • 09:55am SeaJets (4h40m)
- • 11:45am Blue Star Ferries (3h5m)
- From Santorini to Paros
- • 07:00am Blue Star Ferries (3h15m)
- • 12:15pm Golden Star Ferries (2h10m)
- • 15:30pm Blue Star Ferries (3h15m)
FERRY FROM NAXOS TO SANTORINI
Naxos is connected with Santorini by ferry. Naxos only has a national airport with domestic flights from/to Athens.
> Book your ferry tickets from Naxos to Santorini.
• How long is the ferry from Naxos to Santorini?
The trip duration is from 1h20m to 3h15m depending on the vessel.
• How much is the ferry from Naxos to Santorini?
The ticket costs €20- €42.8 depending on the type of vessel.
• What ferries are operating from Naxos to Santorini?
The two islands are connected with high-speed and conventional ferries.
• Indicative Timetable
Check our booking engine for precise timetables.
- From Naxos to Santorini
- • 07:00am Blue Star Ferries (3h15m)
- • 10:15am Golden Star Ferries (1h25m)
- • 12:15pm SeaJets (3h5m)
- • 15:30pm Blue Star Ferries (2h)
- From Santorini to Naxos
- • 11:50am SeaJets (2h45m)
- • 12:50pm Blue Star Ferries (2h)
- • 14:00pm Golden Star Ferries (1h20m)
FERRY TO SANTORINI FROM OTHER ISLANDS
• How do you get from Ios to Santorini?
One of the Cycladic islands that is very close to Santorini is Ios. Ios is a beautiful island with a very different landscape from Santorini, featuring some of the most mesmerizing sandy beaches of the Aegean Sea. The ferry ride ranges from 30 to 50 minutes and the cost is €31- €32.8, depending on the ferry company. Ios is an ideal destination for island hopping from Santorini.
> Book your ferry tickets from Ios to Santorini
• How do you get from Milos to Santorini?
Santorini is also connected with Milos by ferry and it is a very popular island hopping bundle. SeaJets and Golden Star Ferries are operating this route daily. The trip duration lasts from 1h50m to 2h30m, depending on the ferry company. For more information on the timetables available please check our up to date booking engine.
> Book your ferry tickets from Milos to Santorini
• How do you get from Anafi to Santorini?
Anafi is a small and remote island of the Cyclades located west of Santorini. The ferry ride to Anafi is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.
> Book your ferry tickets from Anafi to Santorini
• Ferry schedules from other islands
Except from above schedules, most of the years, Santorini is also connected with: Amorgos, Katapola - Astypalea - Chalki - Donoussa - Folegandros - Karpathos, Diafani - Karpathos, Port - Kasos - Kea - Kimolos - Kos, Port - Koufonissi - Kythnos - Rhodes - Serifos - Sifnos - Sikinos - Skiathos - Symi, Port - Syros - Thirassia - Tilos - Tinos. Note that these ferry connections may be available only in specific periods during the summer.
ISLAND HOPPING FROM SANTORINI
Santorini is a super popular island and a pole of attraction for thousands of travelers every year. The port of Santorini, Athinios, connects with many other islands. Island-hopping is an ideal option especially if you want to discover other nearby islands with different landscapes and beautiful beaches. The most common island destinations from Santorini are: Mykonos, Crete, Milos, Ios, Paros and Naxos.
WHERE TO GO FOR A DAY TRIP FROM SANTORINI
Organizing a day trip to other islands by ferry from Santorini is not so common. Ios and Anafi are the islands that are closer to Santorini but the ferry timetables are not convenient. Although the ferry trip is short, there is barely any time between your arrival to the island and the departure back to Santorini. If you absolutely want to make a day tour to Ios, you can opt for an organised tour & cruise with a sailing boat.
Thirasia, the twin sister islet opposite Santorini, is a good day tour option. You can book an organised tour or check for available boat and ferry itineraries.
TRAVEL TIPS
Travel tips to organize your trip to Santorini:
- • If you are travelling to Santorini for the first time, it is strongly recommended to take the ferry. The view when entering the Caldera and facing the Volcano is an unforgettable experience.
- • If you are travelling to/from Santorini during high season (June to mid-September), it is strongly recommended to book your tickets early in advance (4 months ahead of your visit). Popular routes like these sell out quickly.
- • Although high-speed vessels go faster, they get affected by the strong winds (meltemia) that blow in the Aegean sea during summer. This causes schedule delays and seasickness to many passengers. A conventional vessel like Blue Star Ferries, is bigger in size and hardly ever gets affected by the winds.
- • If you visit Santorini from Athens (Piraeus) during the high season, make sure you arrive at the port at least 1 hour prior to your departure. The port gets busy and crowded. Also, when you are leaving Santorini keep in mind that Athinios port is small but with thousands of travellers embarking or disembarking from the ferries and it gets significantly crowded.
BOOK YOUR FERRY TICKETS TO SANTORINI
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Important note: Schedules for summer routes of most ferry companies are officialy announced in March.
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F.A.Q.
• Where is the ferry port in Santorini?
The port where all ferries arrive at and depart from in Santorini is called Athinios (or New Port) and is located on the southwest side of the island, 9km from the capital Fira and 19km from Oia village.
The port is not part of a town but a small-scale settlement with few shops and amenities. It is considered the busiest port of the Cyclades because it is small, with numerous ferries docking there and transferring thousands of passengers. If you are visiting during the high season be prepared for crowds and traffic.
• How to get from the port to the villages/hotels?
It is strongly recommended to have organised your transportation to your lodging in advance or, ideally, to have rented a car/moto or requested a shuttle bus to your hotel.
At the Port, you will find the Bus station (KTEL Buses) that connects Athinios port with the capital town, Fira. The bus from Athinios will take you to Fira bus station and from there you will need to take another bus if you want to move to another village (Oia, Perissa, Kamari and more). The buses are mainly used by younger people and backpackers and get quickly crowded.
Right next to the buses, you will find the taxi station. Due to the limited number of taxis on the island and the high demand, it is very difficult to find any available on the port when the ferry arrives or departs. To avoid all the hassle, it is strongly recommended to book your transfer in advance with Greeka.
• How to get from the airport to the port?
The airport is 9.3km away from the Port of Santorini. There is a shuttle bus from the airport to the port that costs €15 per person. There is also a taxi station outside the terminal building from where you can take a taxi.
• What is better? Flying or ferrying to Santorini
Although flying to Santorini is a timesaver, the most common way to visit the island is via ferry. The views that you will encounter as you approach this amazing island are terrific and can not be witnessed from elsewhere. The Caldera with the whitewashed villages on the top as well as the islets of the volcano (Nea Kameni and Palea Kameni) are magnificent and a warm welcome to your visit.
Moreover, the whole experience of traveling by ferry across the Aegean, enjoying the sea views and passing by other islands, seeing ports and lighthouses is really enjoyable as it resembles a cruise and a fascinating introduction to your summer holidays!