Athens to Santorini Ferry

The Athens to Santorini ferry leaves from Piraeus, the port of Athens, and arrives at Athinios on Santorini's west coast. In summer 2026 the fastest option was the Seajets high speed ferry at 07:00, which reached Santorini at 11:50 for €89.70 in economy. The cheapest option is a Blue Star Ferries conventional ferry, from about €46.50, taking roughly 6 to 9 hours. The one thing first-timers should know: Athinios is a small port at the bottom of a cliff road, so plan your onward transfer before you arrive.

The ferry route from the port of Piraeus to Santorini is about 127 nautical miles (236 km) across the Aegean Sea. It runs every day of the year, with up to 8 sailings a day in the summer season and far fewer in winter. Most ferries stop at other Cycladic islands on the way, usually Paros, Naxos and Ios, so the same trip doubles as an island hopping route.

Ferry options compared

Three ferry companies carry most traffic on the Athens to Santorini route: Seajets, Blue Star Ferries and Fast Ferries. Golden Star Ferries adds a summer high speed option from Rafina port, east of Athens.

High speed ferries (Seajets)

Seajets runs large high speed ferries such as Olympic Champion Jet, WorldChampion Jet and Champions League Jet 1. In summer 2026 the 07:00 departure called at Syros, Mykonos, Naxos and Ios and reached Santorini in 4 hours 50 minutes. The 09:30 departure makes more stops and takes about 5 hours 35 minutes.

• Pros: about half the time of most conventional ferries, reserved seats, air-conditioned lounges.
• Cons: about twice the price, little outdoor deck space, and a lively ride in strong winds. If you get seasick, take motion sickness medication before you board and choose a seat low and in the middle of the ship.
• Seat classes: economy, Club-Business and Platinum. Economy is fine for a 5-hour trip.

Conventional ferries (Blue Star Ferries and Fast Ferries)

Blue Star Ferries operates large conventional ferries on the route all year. They are slower but much steadier in rough seas, carry hundreds of cars, and have open decks, cafes and restaurants. The cheapest tickets are economy seats with free seating in lounges and on deck. Business class and cabins cost more but give you more space.

Fast Ferries runs an overnight conventional sailing that takes 10 to 11.5 hours. It is the slowest option but saves a night's hotel if you book a cabin.

Golden Star Ferries from Rafina

Golden Star Ferries runs a summer high speed service to Santorini from Rafina port, 33 km east of Athens and about 30 minutes by car from the airport. Ferryhopper lists a first departure around 07:15, a crossing of a bit over 5 hours and fares from about €82. It is worth comparing if you are staying near the airport, but for most travelers the port of Piraeus has far more choice.

Which ferry suits you

• Shortest trip: Seajets 07:00 from Piraeus.
• Lowest price: Blue Star economy seat.
• Travelling with a car or motorbike: Blue Star or Seajets; both carry vehicles, but Blue Star is cheaper.
• Prone to seasickness: conventional ferries.
• Landing late in Athens: the 17:30 Blue Star or the 18:00 Blue Star Chios (Monday, Wednesday and Friday), both arriving the same night.

Timetable and season

Frequency changes a lot across the year. Ferryscanner counts about 40 weekly crossings from Piraeus to Santorini between June and September, dropping to a handful a week from October to May.

Summer (June to September). In the 2026 timetables the first ferry was Seajets at 07:00, followed by Blue Star's morning conventional ferry and then Seajets at 09:00 (via Milos and Folegandros) and 09:30 (via Syros, Tinos, Mykonos, Paros and Naxos). The evening departures were Blue Star at 17:30 and Blue Star Chios at 18:00 on three days a week. Fast Ferries adds a late-night sailing.

Spring and autumn (April, May, October). Seajets starts its high speed service in April and cuts back in October. The 07:00 fast ferry ran from 29 April to 18 October in 2026; the Heraklion-bound high speed vessels ran from 4 April to 2 November and left at 09:15 outside peak season.

Winter (November to March). Blue Star keeps the route open with conventional ferries, typically one sailing a day plus the three-weekly Blue Star Chios. Expect 6 to 9 hours and occasional cancellations in strong winds.

Ferry timetables change each season and sometimes each week. Check the departure time on the operator's site or a booking site a few days before you travel.

Getting to Piraeus port

Piraeus is about 15 km south of Athens city center. Ferries to Santorini normally leave from gates E6, E7, E9 or E10. Blue Star's Paros–Naxos–Ios–Santorini line uses gate E6 for foot passengers and E7 for vehicles.

• Metro: Line 1 (green) and Line 3 (blue) both end at Piraeus station, opposite gate E5. From Syntagma Square in central Athens it takes about 25 minutes. A standard 90-minute ticket costs €1.20.
• From Athens International Airport: metro Line 3 runs direct to Piraeus in about an hour; the airport ticket costs €9. The X96 express bus costs €5.50 and takes 60 to 90 minutes depending on traffic.
• Taxi: from Syntagma Square roughly €20 by day and €25 at night. From the airport expect €55 to €75.
• Inside the port: the port authority runs a free shuttle bus from the main entrance near gate E5 to the other gates. E6 and E7 are a short walk from the metro; E9 and E10 are farther, so use the shuttle if you have heavy luggage.

Most bookings let you check in online and board with the e-ticket on your phone; keep your ID or passport handy. Arrive at Piraeus port at least 1 hour before departure, or 90 minutes with a car. Gates can change at short notice, so check the gate on your ticket or the departure boards.

Arriving in Santorini

All ferries from Athens dock at Athinios port, about 8 km from Fira, 10 km from the airport and 20 km from Oia. The road climbs the caldera cliffs in a series of tight switchbacks, and traffic backs up when a big ship arrives.

• Bus: KTEL local buses meet the main ferry arrivals and go to Fira in about 20 minutes for €2.70. For Oia, Kamari or Perissa, change in Fira.
• Taxi: there are few taxis on the island. Expect queues in July and August.
• Private transfers: book ahead if you arrive late at night or have lots of luggage. The 17:30 Blue Star arrives around 02:00 to 03:15, when you should not count on a bus.
• Hotel pickup: many hotels in Oia and Imerovigli arrange this for you.

When you leave Santorini, allow extra time for the cliff road and arrive at Athinios 45 to 60 minutes before departure.

Santorini to Athens: the return trip

Ferries from Santorini to Athens leave from the same port of Athinios. In the 2026 timetables:

• Blue Star's early conventional ferry left Santorini at 06:45 (Monday to Friday) and reached Piraeus at 14:45.
• The 07:00 Seajets ferry turned around in Santorini and left at 12:15 for Piraeus.
• In peak summer the western Seajets route left Santorini at 15:15 and reached Piraeus at 20:10, via Folegandros, Milos, Sifnos and Serifos.

Ferryhopper lists the last ferry from Santorini to Athens at around 15:30 or 19:00, depending on the day. If you have an evening flight out of Athens, take a morning ferry and leave a margin of several hours in case of weather conditions or delays.

Ferry or flight

Aegean Airlines, Sky Express and Ryanair fly nonstop from Athens International Airport to Santorini in under an hour. Flying makes sense if you land at the airport and want to reach Santorini the same afternoon, or if you only have a few days. Taking the ferry makes sense if you want to see the Aegean, carry more luggage than a budget airline allows, bring a car, or explore other islands on the way. Sailing into the caldera past the cliffs of Fira and Oia is also one of the best views in Greece, and you only get it from the sea.

On time, the two are closer than they look. By the time you add the trip to the airport, security and the transfer from Santorini airport, a flight takes about half a day door to door. The 07:00 fast ferry from central Athens has you in Santorini before lunch.

Tickets and prices

You can buy ferry tickets on the operators' websites, on booking sites such as Ferryhopper or Direct Ferries, or at travel agencies in Piraeus. E-tickets on your phone work on most sailings, so you can board without collecting paper tickets at the port.

Ticket prices depend on four things:

• Vessel type: high speed ferries cost about twice as much as conventional ferries.
• Seat class: economy is cheapest; business class, VIP lounges and cabins cost more.
• Vehicles: a car costs from about €108 to €130 one way, a motorcycle from €32 to €50.
• Timing: foot passenger fares are mostly fixed, but the cheapest tickets and cabins sell out first. Book early for July, August and the 15 August holiday week.

Discounts are available for children, students, people with disabilities and Greek island residents; the exact rules vary by operator.

Luggage is generous: most ferry companies allow up to 50 kg per passenger. Pets are allowed, usually on outdoor decks or in pet cabins, and must be on a leash or in a carrier.

Tips

• Meltemi winds: strong north winds blow in July and August. On 31 July 2026 Blue Star cancelled or changed several Cyclades sailings because of bad weather. If a connection matters (a flight home, for example), leave a buffer day.
• Strikes: Greek seamen's unions call occasional 24-hour strikes, as on 28 February 2026, when sailings stop. Operators post changes on their websites.
• Seats: on conventional ferries, claim an indoor seat early or buy a reserved one; the upper outdoor decks have the best views as you sail into the caldera.
• Day trips: a day trip from Athens to Santorini by ferry is not realistic. Even the fastest round trip is close to 10 hours at sea, which leaves little time on the island.
• Accessibility: the big Blue Star ships have elevators and adapted cabins; tell the ferry company when you book if you have reduced mobility.
• Food: conventional ferries have cafes and restaurants; high speed ferries have snack bars. Bring water and snacks for a long journey.
• Break the journey: the ferry calls at Paros, Naxos or Ios, so you can spend a few days on another island and continue later. See our Cyclades ferry itinerary and island hopping guide.
• Onward travel: from Santorini, ferries continue to Crete and back north to Mykonos. See Santorini to Mykonos and Crete to Santorini.

For more on the ports, see our guides to Piraeus and Santorini ferries, and the operator pages for Blue Star Ferries, Seajets and Fast Ferries.