Greece › Ferries › Athens to Santorini
By Santorini Dave
Updated: January 7, 2026
See Also
- Where to Stay in Athens
- Athens (Piraeus) Ferry Port Guide
- Where To Stay in Santorini
- Santorini Ferry Port Guide
The Piraeus Ferry Port is 30-minutes by taxi or train from central Athens. Ferries to Santorini depart from Gates E6, E7, and E8 which are directly across the street from the train station. Tickets can be purchased in Piraeus but it’s better to buy ferry tickets in advance.
How long does the ferry from Athens to Santorini take?
You are looking at a range depending on the vessel.
- High-Speed Ferries (SeaJets): Take about 4.5 to 5.5 hours. They are fast but can be bumpy.
- Conventional Ferries (Blue Star): Take about 7.5 to 8 hours. They are slower but stable, with open decks for views.
What are the main ferry ports in Athens for Santorini?
Piraeus Port is the main hub. Almost all ferries to Santorini depart from here.
- Piraeus (The Main Port): Located 20 minutes from central Athens by Metro. It handles 95% of the Santorini traffic. Gates E6, E7, and E9 are the most common for Cyclades ferries, but always check your ticket.
- Rafina (The Airport Port): Located 30 minutes from the airport. Only a few ferries depart from here to Santorini (mostly Golden Star or Fast Ferries). It is convenient if you are landing at the airport and heading straight to the islands, but schedules are limited.
Taking the metro from central Athens to the Piraeus ferry port.
How do I buy tickets and use E-Tickets?
The process is now fully digital and simple.
- Where to buy: I use Ferryhopper.com. It connects to all the ferry databases, allows you to compare fast vs. slow boats easily, and handles the E-Ticket process seamlessly for you.
- The E-Ticket Process: After you book, you will receive a confirmation email. For most companies (like Blue Star and SeaJets), you complete a quick Online Check-in (usually available 48 hours before departure) to generate your actual Boarding Pass.
- Boarding: You simply download the Boarding Pass (which is a QR Code) to your phone. When you walk up to the ferry ramp, a crew member scans your phone screen. That is it. You do not need to print anything.
How much does the ferry ticket cost?
Prices vary wildly by vessel type. A high-speed catamaran (like SeaJets) can cost double the price of a conventional car ferry (like Blue Star) for the same route. For example, the cheapest seats for Athens to Santorini for the summer of 2026 cost €71 on the Blue Star and €108 on the high speed SeaJets.
Note: Booking early (2-3 months out) doesn’t usually get you a cheaper price, but it guarantees you a seat before they sell out.Should I book my ferry tickets in advance?
Yes. For travel from May to October, you absolutely should.
- High-Speed Ferries: Frequently sell out in summer.
- Cabins: Always sell out early.
- Car Spots: If you are bringing a car, book months in advance.
Which ferry company is best?
- For Comfort & Stability: Blue Star Ferries. These are massive ships. You can walk around on deck, sit in cafes, and you barely feel the waves. It is the most relaxing way to travel.
- For Speed: SeaJets. The WorldChampion Jet or Tera Jet get you there fast (under 5 hours). However, you are confined to your seat indoors, and the smallest ferries (e.g. SuperJet and SuperJet2) can be a “vomit comet” in rough seas.
How To Get To Piraeus Port
From Athens City Center (Syntagma/Monastiraki)
- The Metro (Best Way): Take the Green Line (Line 1) or Blue Line (Line 3) from Monastiraki or the Blue Line (Line 3) from Syntagma directly to Piraeus.
- Cost & Payment: Tickets cost €1.20. You can now tap your credit card or phone (Apple Pay/Google Pay) directly at the turnstile – no need to buy a physical ticket from a machine.
- Taxi/Uber: Takes 25-40 minutes depending on traffic. Cost is €25–€30 (metered). Uber is a little more expensive but also more convenient.
From Athens Airport
- The Metro (Blue Line): Take the Blue Line (Line 3) straight from the Airport to Piraeus. It takes an hour and costs €9. No transfers needed.
- The Bus (X96): Runs 24/7. Takes 60-90 minutes. Costs €5.50. Best for late-night arrivals.
- Taxi/Uber: Taxi: Expect to pay €55 to €65 (Day) and €70 to €80 (Night). There is no official ‘flat rate’ for Piraeus like there is for the city center, so confirm the price before getting in. Takes 45-60 minutes. Uber uses Exit 4 of Arrivals as its pickup point.
What is the luggage allowance?
It is very relaxed. There are no weight limits and no extra fees. You carry your bags onto the ship and leave them in the luggage racks on the car deck. Keep your valuables and small bag with you at your seat.
Are there food and drink options?
Yes.
- High-Speed: Small cafe/bar for coffee, sandwiches, and snacks.
- Blue Star: Full self-service restaurant (Goody’s Burger House), multiple cafes, and bars. You can also bring your own food.
What happens if my ferry is delayed or canceled?
- Delays: Common, especially later in the day. Use the MarineTraffic app to track your boat.
- Cancellations (Wind): In July/August, the Meltemi winds can cancel high-speed ferries. Conventional ferries (Blue Star) almost never cancel. If canceled, you get a full refund or rebooked on the next boat.
How do I get from Athinios Port to my hotel?
The Santorini port is chaotic. It’s best to have a plan for arrival.
- Pre-Booked Transfer (Best): Have a driver waiting for you. It costs ~€40–€60 but saves stress. I use Welcome Pickups.
- Public Bus (Cheapest): KTEL buses wait for every ferry. They cost €2.00 and take you to the central station in Fira. From there, you must transfer to another bus to reach Oia or Imerovigli.
- Taxi: There are only ~40 taxis on the island. The queue can be massive. Do not rely on this. If you’re truly stranded use the Uber app to summon a vehicle (though you will have a 10 to 30 minute wait).
The Blue Star ferry from Athens to Santorini at the Piraeus Port.
There is now a direct train from the Athens International Airport to the Piraeus ferry port. The station is directly across the street from the E6 port entrance.
Example Piraeus to Santorini Ferry Schedule
Piraeus-Santorini ferry schedule on ferryhopper.com.
• How to buy ferry tickets: Ferryhopper.com
• Best seats: I recommend Business or VIP if available (nicer seats in a more relaxed setting)
• When to book tickets: 2 to 3 months in advance (any sooner and some ferry routes might not be released yet, any later and some ferries could be sold out)
All ferries to and from Santorini use the Athinios Ferry Port. The port is 20-minutes by bus or taxi from Fira (Santorini’s largest town).
There will be at least one bus waiting at the Santorini port for all arriving ferries. Taxis are less reliable but if there are some they will be easy to find.
Common Ferries from Athens to Santorini
The SeaJets Worldchampion Jet ferry. The fastest ferry from Athens (Piraeus) to Santorini.
Standard Seating (silver) on the Worldchampion Jet ferry between Athens and Santorini.
I recommend Business (club class) and VIP (platinum) for the tables, increased space and leg room, and more-relaxed atmosphere. Also the best views are found in Business and VIP.
The SeaJets Champion Jet 2 ferry. Also very fast.
The Blue Star Naxos ferry. A good choice if you’re prone to seasickness.
The Blue Star Patmos ferry. A good choice if you’re prone to seasickness.
The Blue Star Delos ferry. A good choice if you’re prone to seasickness.
The Hellenic Seaways Ariadne ferry. Since Hellenic is owned by Blue Star this will often be listed as the Blue Star Ariadne.
The Anek F/B Prevelis ferry.
This is the Hellenic Highspeed 7 which has been rebranded/transferred to Minoan as the Santorini Palace.
The Zanteferries Dionisios Solomosis ferry. The slowest (but often cheapest) ferry from Athens to Santorini.
The SeaJets Superjet ferry. The worst for seasickness. This is a small ferry and can give a very rough ride in choppy seas. If you’re prone to seasickness choose a different ferry.
The SeaJets Sea Jet 2 ferry. This is also a small ferry and should be avoided if you’re sensitive to rough seas.
About Santorini Dave