Greece › Ferries › Santorini to Athens
Updated: February 14, 2026 • By Santorini Dave
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My wife and I at the Santorini ferry port.
Ferries from Santorini to Athens (Piraeus)
All ferries depart Santorini from Athinios Port. This is a small, busy terminal located at the base of the caldera cliffs. I recommend arriving at the port at least 60 minutes before your departure. The area becomes extremely congested when several ferries arrive at once, and the narrow switchback road leading down to the water can have significant traffic. To get there, you can take the local KTEL bus from Fira, which is timed to coincide with ferry schedules, or pre-book a private transfer. Taxis are very difficult to find at the last minute.
- Always book ferry tickets in advance.
- High-speed Catamarans such as those operated by SeaJets or Hellenic Seaways are the fastest way to travel, taking 4.5 to 5.5 hours. These ships have assigned indoor seating and no open decks while moving. I find they are more prone to cancellations or delays during the very windy Meltemi season in July and August.
- Conventional Car Ferries, primarily the Blue Star line, take 7.5 to 8 hours. These are much larger, more stable in rough seas, and offer outdoor deck space. I personally prefer the Blue Star because you can stand outside and watch the cliffs of Santorini as you sail away, which is one of the best views in Greece.
- During the high season from May to October, you will find 5 to 8 departures per day. Most of these leave Santorini between 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM.
- In the low season, there is typically one daily departure, which is usually the Blue Star ferry leaving in the mid-afternoon.
How To Buy Tickets and E-Tickets?
Buying ferry tickets in Greece has become a streamlined, digital process. You no longer need to trek to a travel agency in Athens or wait in long lines at the port kiosks to pick up paper tickets.
- Where to buy: I always use ferryhopper.com. It is the most reliable site for comparing schedules across all companies (Blue Star, SeaJets, etc.) and it does not add hidden booking fees. Their app is also excellent for real-time ferry tracking, which is incredibly helpful for seeing if your boat is actually running on time.
- The E-Ticket Process: When you book, you receive a confirmation. However, this is not your boarding pass. You must complete an Online Check-in to get your QR code. This window usually opens 48 hours before departure and closes 2 hours before the ship sails. For some smaller lines, Ferryhopper.com now automates this and sends the boarding pass directly to your email.
- Boarding: Simply save the QR code to your phone or your Apple/Google Wallet. When you reach the ferry ramp, a crew member will scan your screen. You must also have your passport or ID ready, as they occasionally check names against the manifest. I recommend arriving at the port at least 45 to 60 minutes early, especially in Santorini, as the port area is chaotic.
- Choosing the Best Seats: On large conventional ferries like Blue Star, an Economy/Deck ticket does not give you a reserved seat; it is first-come, first-served for chairs in the lounges or on the deck. I recommend upgrading to “Air Seats” (numbered, airplane-style reserved seats) for a few extra euros to guarantee your spot. Business and VIP sections are located in quieter, less crowded lounges with better views and dedicated bars. On the smaller high-speed SeaJets, all seats are reserved, but Silver (Economy) can feel very cramped, so Club (Business) or Platinum (VIP) is a worthy upgrade for the extra legroom and peace.
Example Santorini to Piraeus Schedule
Santorini-Piraeus ferry schedules on Ferryhopper.com.
How do I get from the Piraeus ferry port to my hotel in central Athens?
Piraeus is a massive, busy port. The distance to central Athens (Syntagma Square/Plaka/Monastiraki) is about 10km (6 miles). The journey can take anywhere from 20 minutes (Metro) to over an hour (taxi in traffic).
- Metro (The Best Option): This is the fastest and most reliable way to reach the city center. The station is located directly opposite ferry gates E5 and E6 (look for the pedestrian bridge).
Important: Two lines serve the port. Take Line 3 (Blue Line) towards the Airport. It is modern, safe, and air-conditioned. It takes you directly to Monastiraki (20-25 mins) and Syntagma (25-30 mins). Line 1 (Green Line) is older, slower, and hotter, but otherwise gets you where you’re going just fine.- Taxi: Yellow taxis line up inside the port at every arrival gate. The fare to the center should be roughly €25 to €30 during the day and €30 to €45 at night (midnight to 5am). Traffic in Piraeus is notoriously bad. A ride that should take 20 minutes often takes 50 minutes or more. Drivers at the port can be aggressive; insist on the meter or agree on a price beforehand.
- Ride Apps (Uber/FREENOW): Uber and FREENOW work in Athens but they hail standard yellow taxis (there are no private Uber cars in Greece). It’s a quicker way to hail a ride on the street, but you still face the same traffic delays.
- Private Transfer: If you have a lot of luggage or are arriving late at night, I recommend pre-booking a transfer with Welcome Pickups. The driver waits for you at the gate with a sign, helps with bags, and has a fixed price. It eliminates the stress of finding a taxi in the chaos of the port.
- Bus: Do not take the bus to central Athens. The 040 Bus goes to Syntagma but it is extremely slow, crowded, and makes dozens of stops.
How do I get from the Piraeus ferry port to the airport?
The distance from Piraeus Port to Athens International Airport (ATH) is roughly 45km (28 miles).
- Metro (The Best Option): Take Line 3 (Blue Line) directly from the Piraeus station (opposite ferry gates E5/E6) to the airport. It takes 55 minutes and costs €9.00. Trains depart every 36 minutes. Ensure the train’s destination sign says Airport.
- Bus (X96): The X96 Express Bus runs 24/7 from the bus station between Gates E8 and E9. It costs €5.50 and takes 60 to 90 minutes depending on traffic. This is the only public transport option available between midnight and 05:30.
- Taxi: Taxis are available at all arrival gates. The trip takes 45 to 60 minutes but can be much longer during rush hour. Expect to pay €55 to €70 during the day and €70 to €90 at night. Always confirm the estimated price before entering.
- Private Transfer: If you have a tight connection, pre-book a Welcome Pickups transfer. The driver tracks your ferry and waits for you at the gate, saving valuable time.
Ferries at the Athinios Ferry Port in Santorini. All ferries to and from Santorini use this port. The ferry port is 20-minutes by bus or taxi from Fira (Santorini’s largest town). Tickets can purchased at the port but it’s much better to buy ferry tickets in advance.
Most ferries from Santorini to Athens will arrive in Piraeus at Gates E6, E7, or E8, directly across the street from the Piraeus train station. Piraeus is 30 minutes by train or taxi from central Athens.
Common Ferries from Santorini to Athens
The SeaJets Worldchampion Jet ferry. The fastest ferry from Santorini to Athens (Piraeus).
Regardless of ferry you take, I recommend Business Class or VIP seating for its increased space and more-relaxed, quieter vibe.
The SeaJets Champion Jet 2 ferry. Also very fast.
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 Blue Star Naxos 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 is almost identical to the Minoan Lines Santorini Palace (which I don’t have a photo of).
The Zanteferries Dionisios Solomosis ferry. The slowest.
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.
There is now a direct train from the Piraeus ferry port to Athens International Airport. The station is directly across the street from the E6 port entrance.
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