Greece › Santorini › Ferry Port Guide
Updated: October 8, 2026 • By Santorini Dave
Santorini’s ferry port is Athinios Port, also called the New Port or Thira Port. All regular passenger and car ferries arrive and depart here. Athinios is about 8 km by road from Fira, 7 km from Santorini Airport, and 20 km from Oia. The port is small and can get chaotic when several ferries arrive together. Public buses connect Athinios with Fira, while pre-booked transfers are the easiest option for Oia, Imerovigli, and anyone traveling with lots of luggage.
Santorini Ferry Port: Quick Tips
- Which port? Athinios is Santorini’s ferry port. The Old Port below Fira is for cruise passengers, tours, and excursion boats.
- Best way to Fira: Take the public bus. Tickets cost €2.70 and the ride takes about 20 minutes.
- Best way to Oia or Imerovigli: I recommend a pre-booked transfer, especially with luggage. By public bus, change in Fira.
- Airport: There’s no direct public bus. Change buses in Fira or book a transfer.
- When to arrive: I aim for 45 to 60 minutes before departure. Allow extra time for traffic on the steep road leading down to the port.
- Ferry tickets: Book in advance through FerryHopper.com. Save your boarding pass to your phone in advance.
- Rental cars: I prefer picking up in Fira or at the airport rather than driving up the narrow switchback road from Athinios.
- Hotels: Don’t stay near Athinios just to be close to the ferry. Fira is the most convenient base if ferry access is important.
My wife and I arriving at the Santorini ferry port.
Helpful Links
- Ferry tickets and schedules: FerryHopper.com
- Pre-booked port transfer: Welcome Pickups
- Santorini Buses
- Santorini Taxis
- Hire a Santorini Driver
- Santorini Airport
- Greek Ferry Guide
Santorini Ferry Port vs Santorini Cruise Port
Athinios Port is where regular passenger ferries arrive and depart. The Old Port below Fira, also called Skala or Gialos, is used by cruise ship tender boats and some excursion boats. The cable car serves the Old Port, not Athinios.
Athinios sits at the bottom of the caldera cliffs, with one steep switchback road leading in and out. It is not within walking distance of any Santorini town.
Santorini Ferry Port Transportation
The public bus is the cheapest way to get from Athinios to Fira. For most other destinations, change buses in Fira and buy another ticket. If you’re staying in Oia, Imerovigli, or a caldera hotel reached by steps, I prefer a private transfer.
The ferry port bus schedule is posted one or two days in advance at the Fira bus station, with buses timed around ferry arrivals and departures.
Buses for the Ferry Port
- To the Port: KTEL public buses leave from the Fira bus station, with departures arranged around ferry schedules. Check the posted Athinios timetable at the station, ideally the day before traveling. Don’t rely on an old online schedule.
- From the Port: Buses run from Athinios to Fira, with departures scheduled around the main ferry arrivals. After disembarking, head left toward the buses. Large luggage goes underneath. The fare is €2.70 and the ride takes about 20 minutes.
- Current fares and regular island timetables are available on the official KTEL Santorini website. Fira and Oia have electronic kiosks where you can buy tickets with credit card, Apple Pay, and Google Pay but I still carry cash for buses just in case.
Public buses, taxis, and private transfers at Athinios. Head left after disembarking to find transportation.
Taxis & Private Transfers
- Santorini has a limited taxi supply, and demand spikes when a ferry arrives. There might be taxis waiting at Athinios, but I wouldn’t count on getting one quickly in July or August. Uber Taxi also operates on Santorini using licensed local taxi drivers, though availability can be limited at the port.
- My preferred option is to pre-book with Welcome Pickups. The price is set in advance, the driver monitors your ferry for delays, and you’ll be met at the port with a sign. Larger vehicles and child car seats can be requested when booking.
- Many Santorini hotels arrange private port transfers. This is especially useful for caldera hotels in Fira, Firostefani, Imerovigli, and Oia, where cars often cannot reach the hotel entrance. The hotel will know the closest drop-off point and whether someone can help with luggage.
Car Rental & Parking at the Ferry Port
I prefer picking up a rental car in Fira or at Santorini Airport rather than Athinios. You can reserve a car for port pickup, but I don’t recommend it. The road climbing from Athinios is steep, narrow, full of sharp switchbacks, and often jammed with buses and vans after a ferry arrival. I’ve never chosen to start a Santorini rental here and don’t plan to.
For airport pickup, I use Booking.com. There is also parking at Athinios, but I wouldn’t leave a car here unless necessary.
Getting from Santorini Ferry Port to Fira
The direct bus to Fira costs €2.70 and takes about 20 minutes. It stops at the Fira bus station, near the pedestrian center. (Map)
Fira is the easiest destination from Athinios by public transportation. A private transfer is worth considering with large suitcases, young children, or mobility issues. Many Fira hotels can arrange pickup.
The road from Athinios climbs the caldera cliff through a long series of switchbacks. Skaros Rock and Imerovigli are visible in the middle of the photo.
Getting from Santorini Ferry Port to Oia
There is no regular direct public bus from Athinios to Oia. Take the €2.70 bus to Fira, then the €2.20 bus to Oia, which takes another 25 to 30 minutes. The Fira-Oia bus can be packed in summer, so with large suitcases I recommend a pre-booked transfer.
Driving from Athinios to Oia takes roughly 40 to 50 minutes without heavy traffic. Many of my favorite Oia hotels can arrange port pickup.
Getting from Santorini Ferry Port to Imerovigli
Take the €2.70 bus to Fira and change to the €2.20 Fira-Imerovigli bus. The Imerovigli stop is near the entrance to the village, about a 5 to 10-minute walk from many cliffside hotels. (Map)
Many of the best Imerovigli hotels are reached by pedestrian paths and stairs. With luggage, I recommend a private transfer.
Getting from Santorini Ferry Port to Kamari
The usual public-transport route is Athinios to Fira (€2.70), then Fira to Kamari (€2.20). The Fira-Kamari bus takes about 20 to 30 minutes. (Map) Many Kamari hotels can arrange a straightforward transfer.
Getting from Santorini Ferry Port to the Airport
There is no dependable direct public bus from Athinios to Santorini Airport. Take the €2.70 bus to Fira, then the €2.20 airport bus. Fira to the airport takes about 10 minutes once you’re on the bus, but waiting for the connection can add considerable time.
If you’re arriving by ferry and flying out the same day, I strongly recommend a pre-booked transfer. Ferry delays and traffic on the Athinios road make tight connections a bad gamble.
Having a beer at the port while I wait for our ferry.
Santorini Ferry Tickets & Boarding
FerryHopper.com is my favorite site for checking Greek ferry schedules and buying tickets. I book all my ferry tickets two to three months in advance, especially for dates from June through September. Book even earlier if you need a specific departure, a cabin, or vehicle space.
Sometimes tickets are checked before you board the ferry.
How Early Should I Arrive at Santorini Ferry Port?
- I aim to arrive at Athinios 45 to 60 minutes before departure. Boarding is usually straightforward, but traffic on the cliff road can be bad when several ferries arrive close together. Allow extra driving time in July and August.
- Fira buses to Athinios are scheduled around ferry departures. If you’re taking a rental car onto the ferry (not recommended), arrive earlier and follow the ferry company’s instructions.
- There’s no reason to arrive excessively early. Athinios has cafés, shops, and waiting areas, but it’s not somewhere I’d choose to spend two hours.
And sometimes tickets are scanned inside the ferry as you enter the seating area.
Ferry E-Tickets & Ticket Offices
- All major Greek ferry companies use electronic tickets. Check your booking confirmation for check-in instructions, then save the boarding pass or QR code to your phone. I take a screenshot too. Mobile service can get overloaded when the port is packed.
- In theory ferry staff could ask for your passport or ID but it’s never happened to me.
Santorini Ferry Port Facilities
An ATM and ferry ticket office at Athinios Port.
Athinios has ticket offices, cafés, minimarts, multiple ATMs, car-rental desks, toilets, shaded waiting areas, and a passenger waiting room. Don’t expect an airport-style terminal or lots of comfortable seating.
If you have several hours between hotel checkout and your ferry, spend the extra time in Fira rather than at the port. Fira has options for storing luggage, though almost every hotel will hold your bags after checkout.
Hotels Near Santorini Ferry Port
Don’t choose a Santorini hotel just to be near Athinios. The port is not a good base, and you’ll need transportation to reach the places you’ll actually want to visit.
Fira is the most convenient town if ferry access matters. It’s about 20 minutes from Athinios by bus and has direct connections to the port. Three good Fira hotels near the bus station are Angel Luxury Suites (luxury), Atlantis Hotel (mid-range), and Petini’s Place (budget).
Otherwise, stay in the Santorini town you actually want to visit. I wouldn’t give up a better hotel or location in Oia, Imerovigli, or Firostefani just to save a little time getting to the ferry.
Looking north over Santorini Ferry Port and the caldera.
About Santorini Dave