Athens to Santorini Ferry Guide

Greece › Ferries › Athens to Santorini
Updated: August 27, 2026 • By Santorini Dave
Questions? dave@santorinidave.com

See Also

• Where to Stay in Santorini
• Best Hotels in Santorini
• Best Things to Do in Santorini
• Best Santorini Wine Tours
• Best Santorini Boat Tours

Ferries from Athens to Santorini depart mainly from Piraeus Port and arrive at Athinios Port in Santorini. The fastest ferries take about 5 hours. Blue Star sailings take roughly 5.5 to 7.5 hours on many dates, while slower conventional routes with more stops can take 10 hours or longer. The main companies are Blue Star Ferries, SeaJets, and Fast Ferries.

For most travelers, I recommend a Blue Star ferry with a reserved Numbered Airseat. Blue Star ferries are spacious and comfortable, handle rough seas well, and have outdoor decks for the approach to Santorini. Do not assume SeaJets will save several hours. Some Blue Star sailings are only about an hour slower than the fastest high-speed ferry, so always compare the actual travel times for your date.

Helpful Links

• Compare ferry schedules and buy tickets: Ferryhopper
• Pre-booked transfers in Athens: Welcome Pickups
• Pre-booked transfers in Santorini: Welcome Pickups

Athens to Santorini Ferries: My Tips

Waiting for the bus after a late-evening arrival at Santorini’s Athinios ferry port.

• Best ferry for most travelers: Blue Star with a reserved Numbered Airseat. Large conventional ferries are spacious, comfortable, and the best choice for outdoor decks and a scenic arrival.
• Fastest ferry: SeaJets. The fastest sailings take about 5 hours, depending on the vessel and island stops.
• Compare actual travel times: Some Blue Star sailings take only about an hour longer than the fastest SeaJets. When that is the case, I would choose Blue Star.
• Best for seasickness: A large conventional ferry. Avoid the smallest high-speed catamarans in windy weather.
• Ticket prices: Conventional passenger fares start around €50. High-speed ferries are considerably more expensive.
• When to book: Book once your dates are firm from June through September. Cabins, vehicle spaces, premium seats, and the best departure times sell out first.
• When to reach Piraeus: Arrive 45 to 60 minutes before departure as a foot passenger and at least 60 minutes early with a vehicle, children, or heavy luggage.
• Best arrival plan in Santorini: Pre-book a transfer. Athinios Port is crowded, taxis are limited, and no useful hotel area is within walking distance.

Athens to Santorini Ferry: Times, Prices & Schedule

• Main route: Piraeus Port to Santorini Athinios Port.
• Fastest ferry: About 5 hours.
• Blue Star: Roughly 5.5 to 7.5 hours on many sailings, depending on the vessel and stops.
• Slower conventional ferries: Some routes take 9 to 11 hours.
• Ticket prices: Conventional passenger fares start around €50. High-speed, business, VIP, cabin, and vehicle tickets cost more.
• Ferry companies: Blue Star Ferries, SeaJets, and Fast Ferries.
• Service: Piraeus-Santorini ferries operate year-round, with many more departures from May through October.
• Schedules: Early-morning departures are common, with additional daytime and evening sailings during the busy months.

How to Buy Athens to Santorini Ferry Tickets

I use Ferryhopper because it compares schedules, prices, ferry companies, vessel types, and seating classes in one search.

Search from Piraeus to Santorini. Piraeus has the most departures and is the best Athens port for almost every traveler taking this route.

What to Check Before Booking

Don’t choose solely by departure time. Check:

• Travel duration: Look at the actual crossing time for each ferry. A Blue Star sailing can sometimes be only about an hour slower than a SeaJets high-speed ferry.
• Vessel size: Large ferries handle wind and rough water better than small high-speed catamarans.
• Seat class: A reserved seat is worth the extra cost on a long crossing.
• Arrival time: A late ferry can leave you reaching your Santorini hotel well after dark.
• Number of stops: More island stops mean a longer journey and more opportunity to accumulate delays.

Blue Star or SeaJets: Which Ferry Is Better?

Choose Blue Star for Comfort and Stability

Blue Star operates large conventional ferries with indoor lounges, cafés, outdoor decks, more room to walk around, and a smoother ride in windy conditions. The trip is longer than the fastest SeaJets crossing, but not always by much.

Blue Star is my choice for:

• First-time visitors.
• Families with children.
• Travelers prone to seasickness.
• Anyone who wants outdoor deck access.
• Travelers carrying lots of luggage.
• Anyone who sees the ferry journey as part of the trip rather than lost time.

My default recommendation is a Blue Star Numbered Airseat. It gives you an assigned indoor seat while retaining access to the ship’s outdoor decks and public areas.

Choose SeaJets to Save Time

SeaJets operates the fastest ferries on the route, with the quickest crossings taking about 5 hours. Passengers spend most of the journey in assigned indoor seating, with little or no usable outdoor access while underway.

SeaJets makes sense when:

• You have only a few days in Santorini.
• The SeaJets sailing is substantially faster on your travel date.
• You prefer speed over outdoor space and the onboard experience.

The larger SeaJets vessels are much better choices than the smallest catamarans when the forecast is windy. Business or VIP seating is worth considering for additional space and a quieter cabin.

Best Ferry for the Santorini Arrival

Sailing into Santorini’s caldera is one of the best ferry arrivals in Greece, but you need outdoor deck access to appreciate it. A conventional ferry such as Blue Star gives you open views of the cliffs, villages, and volcanic islands.

On an enclosed high-speed ferry, the approach is much less memorable.

Which Ferry Ticket Should You Buy?

• Best value: Blue Star Numbered Airseat. You get an assigned indoor seat and access to the outdoor decks.
• Cheapest: A conventional-ferry deck or economy ticket. It works for strict budget travelers, but I prefer having a reserved seat on a long crossing.
• Best upgrade: Business Class on Blue Star or SeaJets. It offers more space, less crowding, and a quieter journey.
• Best for families: Reserved seats or a cabin on Blue Star. Cabins are especially useful for late departures or children who will sleep during the crossing.
• Best for a short trip: A large SeaJets high-speed ferry when it saves significant time.
• Best for seasickness: A large conventional ferry with a seat low and near the middle of the ship.

When to Book Athens to Santorini Ferry Tickets

Book once your dates and hotel reservations are firm. You do not need to purchase the minute schedules first appear, but waiting until the final week is a mistake during summer.

• July and August: Book early, especially for cabins, business or VIP seats, vehicle spaces, and popular departure times.
• June and September: Book ahead when you want a specific ferry or arrival time.
• April, May, and October: Availability is better, but advance booking still gives you the best choice of sailings and seats.
• November through March: Service continues from Piraeus but there are fewer choices. Confirm the ferry on your exact date before finalizing the rest of your itinerary.
• May 1: Ferry strikes are common on May Day. The Piraeus-Santorini Blue Star sailing was canceled on May 1, 2026, so check carefully if traveling on or around this date.

Ferry schedules are released in stages. If only a few ferries appear several months ahead, the full schedule probably has not been released yet. Once a good ferry appears and your dates are firm, book it.

E-Tickets, Online Check-In, and ID

All major ferry companies support mobile boarding passes. Complete online check-in when your operator makes it available, then save the boarding pass offline as a screenshot, PDF, or phone-wallet pass. Mobile service can be unreliable in busy port areas.

Bring the passport or identification used for the reservation. Ticket checks are quick, but ferry staff can ask to confirm that the passenger name matches the booking. Your booking confirmation is not always the final boarding pass, so do not leave online check-in until you are standing at the ferry ramp.

Which Athens Port Has Ferries to Santorini?

Piraeus Port

Piraeus is the main Athens ferry port for Santorini and the best choice for almost every traveler. It has the most departures, the widest range of vessels, and direct public transport from central Athens and Athens Airport.

Piraeus is a huge working port. The ferry berth can be a significant walk from the metro station, and several ships can board simultaneously. Confirm the gate before leaving your hotel and check again when you arrive.

Rafina Port

Rafina is closer to Athens Airport and has seasonal high-speed ferries to Santorini, primarily from late spring through October. The trip takes roughly 5.5 to 6 hours when direct service is running.

Piraeus still has far more departures and is the better choice for most travelers. Check Rafina if you’re going straight from Athens Airport to Santorini, as the shorter airport transfer can make it a convenient option when the ferry schedule lines up well.

How to Get to Piraeus Port

From Central Athens

• Metro: From Monastiraki, take Line 1 or Line 3 directly to Piraeus. From Syntagma, take Line 3. The ride takes roughly 20 to 30 minutes, but allow additional time to walk from the station to your ferry berth.
• Taxi or Uber: The drive takes about 25 to 40 minutes in normal traffic. It is the easiest choice with heavy luggage, though congestion near the port can be severe around major morning departures.
• Private transfer: Best for an early ferry, families, large groups, or hotels far from a metro station.

Metro Line 1 and Line 3 use different station areas in Piraeus. Neither guarantees that you will emerge beside your ship. Check the ferry berth before choosing your route.

From Athens Airport

• Metro Line 3: Direct from Athens Airport to Piraeus in roughly one hour.
• Suburban Railway: Connects the airport and Piraeus, though departures are less frequent than the metro.
• X96 Bus: Runs day and night and is useful when the metro is closed. Allow 60 to 90 minutes, and longer in heavy traffic.
• Taxi or private transfer: Allow roughly 45 to 60 minutes in normal traffic. There is no fixed airport-to-Piraeus taxi fare, so use the meter or arrange the price in advance.

For detailed gate, transport, and hotel information, see my Piraeus Ferry Port Guide.

How Early to Arrive at Piraeus

Do not plan to reach Piraeus 20 minutes before departure. Gates are spread across a large area, traffic backs up near the port, and berth assignments change.

• Most foot passengers: Arrive 45 to 60 minutes early.
• Families, first-time visitors, and heavy luggage: Allow at least 60 minutes so you are not rushing between the station or taxi and the ship.
• Vehicles: Arrive at least 60 minutes early and follow the ferry company’s instructions.

For an early-morning ferry, arrange your taxi or transfer the night before. If you have a 7:00 AM departure and are staying far from Piraeus, spending the previous night at a Piraeus hotel can make the travel day much easier.

Boarding and Luggage

Passengers board through the vehicle-loading area at the rear of the ship. Large suitcases go in the designated luggage racks on the vehicle deck. You do not need to drag them to your seat.

Keep your passport, wallet, medication, phone, laptop, camera, and other valuables with you. Luggage is not handled like airline baggage. Bags are rarely weighed, and there is no airport-style check-in process. You are responsible for carrying your luggage onto and off the ferry. Have your boarding pass open before reaching the ramp and place anything needed during the journey in a small day bag.

Seats, Food, and the Onboard Experience

Conventional Ferries

Large conventional ferries have indoor lounges, outdoor decks, cafés, snack bars, and plenty of space to move around. Some vessels also have self-service restaurants and cabins. A Numbered Airseat gives you a reliable base for the trip while still allowing you to walk around, eat, and spend time outside.

High-Speed Ferries

High-speed ferries operate more like airplanes. Passengers spend most of the trip in assigned indoor seats, and movement around the vessel is more limited. Cafés sell coffee, drinks, sandwiches, and snacks. Business and VIP sections provide more space and a quieter environment but do not change the underlying ride.

Seasickness and Wind

The Aegean becomes rough during strong summer winds, especially when the Meltemi is blowing. Large conventional ferries handle these conditions better than small high-speed catamarans.

If you are prone to seasickness:

• Choose the largest conventional ferry available.
• Sit low and near the middle of the ship.
• Avoid reading or staring at your phone when the boat is moving.
• Eat lightly and avoid alcohol.
• Ask your doctor or pharmacist about motion-sickness medication before the trip.
• Do not choose the smallest fast ferry solely to save an hour or two.

Large ferries still roll about in rough weather, but the motion is slower and less abrupt than on a small catamaran.

Best Departure Time

A morning ferry is my preference. It gets you to Santorini in time to reach your hotel, check in, and enjoy the evening. Morning departures also have less opportunity to accumulate delays from earlier journeys.

A midday ferry works when you dislike early starts, but you will spend most of the day traveling and reach your hotel in the evening. Late ferries are less appealing. Athinios Port is more confusing after dark, public transport is crowded, and reaching Oia or Imerovigli takes additional time.

Arriving at Santorini Athinios Port

Santorini’s ferry port is called Athinios. It sits below the cliffs at the bottom of a steep switchback road. It is not walkable to Fira, Oia, Imerovigli, Firostefani, Kamari, Perissa, or any useful hotel area.

When a ferry docks, hundreds of passengers, buses, transfer vans, taxis, rental-car shuttles, and private vehicles crowd into a very small area. This is the most stressful part of the journey.

Pre-Booked Transfer

A pre-booked transfer is the easiest arrival plan, especially for families, honeymooners, late arrivals, and travelers staying in Oia, Imerovigli, Firostefani, or a caldera hotel with difficult luggage access.

Your driver meets you near the arrival area and takes you directly to your hotel or the nearest vehicle-accessible point. I use Welcome Pickups.

Public Bus

KTEL buses meet arriving ferries and run to Fira’s central bus station. The fare is €2.70. From Fira, passengers transfer to another bus for Oia, Imerovigli, Kamari, Perissa, and most other destinations.

The bus is cheap but crowded after a ferry arrival. It works best for light travelers staying in Fira or near a straightforward connecting bus route.

Taxi

Santorini has far fewer taxis than arriving passengers. Queues become long when several ferries reach the port close together. Do not rely on finding a taxi quickly during peak season. Uber is also limited and should not be your main arrival plan.

Ferry or Flight from Athens to Santorini?

Fly if speed is the priority. Take the ferry if you want a more relaxed trip, have lots of luggage, are island hopping, or want the caldera arrival.

• Choose the ferry: For a large conventional ship with outdoor decks, a scenic arrival, easy luggage handling, or a trip continuing through the Cyclades.
• Choose a flight: For a very short Santorini stay, an immediate connection after arriving in Athens, or the fastest possible journey.

Do not compare only the scheduled flight time with the ferry duration. Flying requires travel to Athens Airport, early check-in, security, baggage collection, and transport from Santorini Airport. The ferry remains slower, but the difference in total travel time is smaller than the flight time alone suggests.

Delays, Cancellations, and Flight Connections

Ferries running later in the day are more likely to be delayed because they have already completed several routes and island stops. Strong winds also disrupt schedules, particularly for smaller high-speed vessels.

Check the ferry company’s messages, the booking platform, and the port screens before leaving for Piraeus. Vessel-tracking websites such as MarineTraffic provide additional context but do not replace official information.

If a ferry is canceled, follow the instructions from the operator or booking platform. Refund and rebooking procedures depend on the company, ticket, and reason for the disruption.

I would not take the ferry from Santorini to Athens on the same day as an international flight home. Ferry delays, cancellations, and Athens traffic leave too much room for a missed flight. Spend your final night in Athens or near Athens Airport.

Cars and Rental Cars

Most travelers should not take an Athens rental car to Santorini. Many rental companies prohibit ferry travel without written permission, and vehicle tickets add cost and complication. Rent one car in Athens if needed, return it before boarding, and rent another after arriving in Santorini. This is easier and cheaper.

If you are taking a vehicle on the ferry:

• Reserve the vehicle space early.
• Enter the correct vehicle dimensions when booking.
• Arrive at Piraeus at least an hour before departure.
• Keep small valuables (passport, meds) with you during the journey.

Ferries on the Athens to Santorini Route

Vessel assignments change by date and season. These photos show the important difference between a large high-speed ferry and the small catamarans that also appear in booking results.

Athens to Santorini Ferry FAQ

How much is the ferry from Athens to Santorini?

Conventional ferry tickets start around €50. High-speed ferries cost more, and business class, VIP seats, cabins, and vehicles increase the price.

How long is the ferry from Athens to Santorini?

The fastest ferries take about 5 hours. Blue Star ferries take roughly 5.5 to 7.5 hours on many dates. Slower ferries with more island stops can take 9 to 11 hours.

Do Athens to Santorini ferries run year-round?

Yes. Ferries from Piraeus to Santorini run year-round, with many more departures from May through October. Winter service is less frequent but still reliable enough for most itineraries.

Do Athens to Santorini ferries sell out?

Yes, especially in July and August. Cabins, vehicle spaces, premium seats, and the best departure times sell out first. Once your dates are firm, I would book.

Which Athens port has the most Santorini ferries?

Piraeus. It has far more Santorini ferries than Rafina and is the best departure port for almost all travelers.

Is Blue Star or SeaJets better?

I prefer Blue Star for its larger ships, outdoor decks, more space, and smoother ride. Choose SeaJets when it saves significant time. Some Blue Star sailings are only about an hour slower, so compare the actual travel times before booking.

Is the Athens to Santorini ferry rough?

It can be during strong winds. Large conventional ferries handle rough seas much better than small high-speed catamarans. If you are prone to seasickness, take the largest ferry available.

What is the best seat on the ferry?

A Blue Star Numbered Airseat is my choice for most travelers. It gives you an assigned indoor seat while still allowing you to use the lounges and outdoor decks. Business Class is the best upgrade for more space and fewer people.

Read More

• Greek Ferry Guide
• Athens Travel Guide
• Piraeus Ferry Port Guide
• Where to Stay in Athens
• Best Hotels in Athens
• Where to Stay in Santorini
• Santorini Athinios Ferry Port Guide