Athens to Santorini Ferry Guide

Greece › Ferries › Athens to Santorini
Updated: July 25, 2026 • By Santorini Dave
Questions? dave@santorinidave.com

See Also

• Where to Stay in Athens
• Athens Piraeus Ferry Port Guide
• Where to Stay in Santorini
• Santorini Athinios Ferry Port Guide

Ferries from Athens to Santorini depart mainly from Piraeus Port and arrive at Athinios Port in Santorini. The fastest ferries take about 5 hours. The best conventional sailings take roughly 7½ to 8½ hours, while slower routes with more stops take 10 hours or longer.

For most travelers, I recommend a Blue Star ferry with a reserved Numbered Airseat. Blue Star is slower but more spacious, comfortable, and stable, with outdoor decks and a memorable approach to Santorini. Choose SeaJets when saving several hours matters more than comfort.

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. It is slower than SeaJets but more stable, spacious, and comfortable.
• Fastest ferry: SeaJets. The fastest sailings take about 5 hours, depending on the vessel and island stops.
• Best for seasickness: A large Blue Star conventional ferry. Avoid small high-speed catamarans in windy weather.
• Ticket prices: Conventional ferry tickets start around €60. High-speed ferries start at about €110.
• 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.

Current Athens to Santorini Ferry Information

• Main route: Piraeus Port to Santorini Athinios Port.
• Travel time: About 5 hours by the fastest high-speed ferries and 7½ to 8½ hours on the best conventional sailings. Routes with more stops take 10 hours or longer.
• Ticket prices: Conventional passenger tickets start around €60. High-speed, business, VIP, cabin, and vehicle tickets cost considerably more.
• Service: Ferries operate throughout the year, with far more departures from May to October.
• Schedules: Early morning is the most common departure time but there are sailings throughout the day in peak summer 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.

Do not choose solely by departure time. Check:

• Travel duration: A 5-hour SeaJets crossing is a different experience from an 8-hour Blue Star trip.
• 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 a greater chance of accumulating 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 takes longer, but the day is more relaxed.

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 high-speed ferries complete the fastest crossings in about 5 hours. Passengers spend 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.
• Saving two or three hours matters more than having space to move around.
• You are comfortable traveling on a smaller, more enclosed vessel.

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: Blue Star deck ticket. It is fine for strict budget travelers but less comfortable for a 7½ to 8½-hour journey.
• 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.
• 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 SeaJets, cabins, business or VIP seats, vehicle spaces, and morning departures.
• 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 avoids ticket-office lines and poor seat choices.
• November through March: Service is limited. Confirm that a ferry operates on your exact date before finalizing the rest of your itinerary.

Ferry schedules are released in stages. A sparse search result several months ahead does not necessarily represent the final timetable. Once a suitable 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 normally 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 may 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 but has far fewer Santorini departures. Service is limited and seasonal, and some dates have no useful direct sailing.

Rafina works when a suitable ferry operates shortly after an airport arrival. It is more important for routes to Mykonos, Tinos, and Andros than for Santorini.

How to Get to Piraeus Port

From Central Athens

• Metro: From Monastiraki, use Line 1 or Line 3. From Syntagma, take Line 3. The train ride takes roughly 20 to 30 minutes, but allow additional time to walk from the station to the 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 becomes 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 more detailed gate 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 and first-time visitors: Arrive at least 60 minutes early.
• Passengers with heavy luggage: Allow an hour so you are not rushing between the station or taxi and the ship.
• Vehicles: Arrive at least 60 minutes early and follow the operator’s instructions.
• Early-morning departures: Arrange your taxi or transfer the night before.

If you are staying far from Piraeus and have a 7:00 AM ferry, 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 more space to move around. Some vessels also have self-service restaurants and cabins. A Numbered Airseat gives you a reliable base for the trip. You can still walk around, eat, and spend time outside.

High-Speed Ferries

High-speed ferries operate more like airplanes. Passengers remain in assigned indoor seats, and movement around the vessel is more limited. Food choices are restricted to cafés selling 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 move 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 will not reach your hotel until 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 travel to Fira’s central bus station. From Fira, passengers transfer to another bus for Oia, Imerovigli, Kamari, Perissa, and most other destinations. The bus is cheap but crowded. 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?

A flight is faster. A ferry is more relaxed, handles luggage more easily, and fits naturally into an island-hopping itinerary.

• Choose the ferry: For a large conventional ship with outdoor decks, a scenic caldera arrival, generous 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 much slower, but the total difference 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.

Never schedule an Athens-to-Santorini ferry or a return ferry close to an international flight. Ferry delays, cancellations, Athens traffic, and port confusion create too many opportunities for a missed flight. Spend your final night in Athens or near Athens Airport before flying home.

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 your own vehicle or have written permission from the rental company:

• Reserve the vehicle space early.
• Enter the correct vehicle dimensions when booking.
• Arrive at Piraeus at least an hour before departure.
• Keep valuables and anything needed during the journey outside the car.
• Follow crew directions during loading rather than attempting to choose your own parking position.

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 passenger tickets start around €60. High-speed ferries cost more, and prices rise for business class, VIP seating, cabins, and vehicles.

How long is the ferry from Athens to Santorini?

The fastest high-speed sailings take about 5 hours. The best conventional ferries take approximately 7½ to 8½ hours. Slower routes with additional stops take 10 hours or longer.

Do Athens to Santorini ferries sell out?

Yes. July and August departures, cabins, vehicle spaces, premium seating, and popular morning ferries sell out first. Book once your dates are firm.

Do I need to print my ferry ticket?

No, almost all ferry companies now have mobile boarding passes. Complete online check-in when available and save the boarding pass offline before traveling.

Which Athens port has the most Santorini ferries?

Piraeus has the most departures and is the best port for almost all travelers. Rafina has limited seasonal service.

Is Blue Star or SeaJets better?

Blue Star is better for comfort, stability, outdoor decks, families, and seasick travelers. SeaJets is better when saving time is the main priority.

Is the Athens to Santorini ferry rough?

It becomes rough during strong winds, especially on small high-speed catamarans. A large conventional ferry is the best choice for motion-sensitive travelers.

What is the best seat on the ferry?

A Blue Star Numbered Airseat is the best value for most travelers. Choose Business Class for additional space and less crowding. On SeaJets, Business or VIP is a worthwhile upgrade for a long enclosed crossing.

Can I take a rental car on the ferry?

Only with the rental company’s written permission. In most cases, returning the Athens car and renting another in Santorini is easier and cheaper.

Can I take a ferry directly from Athens Airport?

No. Athens Airport is not a ferry port. Travel from the airport to Piraeus or Rafina, then board the ferry. Piraeus has far more Santorini departures.

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