Greece › Ferries › Santorini to Naxos Ferry
Updated: July 24, 2026 • By Santorini Dave
Questions? dave@santorinidave.com
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Ferries travel from Santorini to Naxos throughout the year, with up to 8 departures a day in summer. The fastest high-speed ferries take about 1 hour, while Blue Star and other slower ferries take roughly 2 to 2½ hours.
I prefer Blue Star when its schedule is convenient. The journey is only about an hour longer than the fastest ferry, and the steadier ride, outdoor decks, and lower fare make it the better overall experience. Take a high-speed ferry when its departure time works much better or saving an hour matters.
Helpful Links
- How I buy ferry tickets: Ferryhopper.com
- Pre-booked Santorini transfer: Welcome Pickups
Santorini to Naxos Ferry: Quick Guide
- Frequency: Up to 8 ferries a day in summer, with less frequent service outside the main tourist season.
- Travel time: About 1 hour on the fastest high-speed ferry and roughly 2 to 2½ hours on slower sailings.
- Best ferry for most travelers: Blue Star when its timetable works. It is steadier, cheaper, and has outdoor decks.
- Best ferry for saving time: SeaJets operates the fastest crossings on many summer dates.
- Departure port: All ferries leave from Athinios Port. Do not go to the Old Port below Fira.
- Arrival port: Ferries dock beside Naxos Town, close to the bus station, taxi stand, restaurants, and many hotels.
- When to book: Book as soon as your dates are fixed for July and August when you need a particular departure or vehicle space.
- Port transfer: Pre-book a taxi or transfer in summer. Traffic on the road to Athinios can be severe.
SeaJets operates the fastest Santorini-to-Naxos crossings on many summer dates, with travel times as short as about 1 hour.
Santorini to Naxos Ferry Times and Frequency
Ferries operate throughout the year. In summer, there are up to 8 departures a day, with sailings spread from morning into the afternoon or early evening. Service is less frequent in winter and during the shoulder season.
- Fastest crossing: About 1 hour.
- Blue Star and slower ferries: Roughly 2 to 2½ hours, depending on the vessel and route.
- Summer: Up to 8 departures a day.
- Winter: Reduced service, though ferries continue to operate.
Some ferries travel directly from Santorini to Naxos, while others stop at Ios before continuing north. Compare the full route because ferries leaving at similar times can have different journey lengths.
Which Ferry Should You Take?
Blue Star: Best for Comfort and Value
Choose Blue Star when its departure time works with your itinerary. The ships are large and steady, with outdoor decks, cafés, spacious public areas, and room to walk around.
The journey takes roughly an hour longer than the fastest high-speed ferry, but the lower fare and more comfortable ride make it my preferred choice for most travelers.
Blue Star is especially good for:
- families with children;
- travelers prone to seasickness;
- passengers who want outdoor deck access and caldera views;
- and anyone traveling with a vehicle.
The main drawback is that its departure time might not be as convenient as the faster ferries.
High-Speed Ferry: Best for Saving Time
The fastest high-speed ferries reach Naxos in about 1 hour. Choose one when its schedule saves a useful portion of the day or fits better with hotel check-out and check-in times.
The drawbacks are higher fares, enclosed seating, less freedom to move around, and a bumpier ride in strong wind. High-speed vessels are also more susceptible to weather-related delays and schedule changes.
How Much Do Santorini to Naxos Ferry Tickets Cost?
Basic passenger fares start around €31.50. High-speed and premium-seat tickets cost more, with the most expensive categories reaching roughly €160.
- Standard passenger ticket: The cheapest option and sufficient for the short crossing.
- High-speed ferry: Costs more but saves about an hour compared with Blue Star.
- Business or VIP seating: Provides a quieter lounge and more space but is unnecessary for most travelers on such a short journey.
- Vehicles: Require a separate ticket, and space is limited.
- Children: Discounts depend on the ferry company and the child’s age. Enter each passenger’s correct age when booking.
Compare equivalent ticket categories rather than the cheapest Blue Star fare with a premium high-speed seat.
Buying Tickets, E-Tickets, and When to Book
I use Ferryhopper to compare departure times, vessels, journey lengths, intermediate stops, and ticket prices.
- July and August: Book as soon as your dates are fixed when you need a particular departure, premium seat, or vehicle space.
- May, June, September, and October: Several weeks ahead is normally enough, but book earlier when only one ferry fits your plans.
- Winter: Seats rarely sell out, but the reduced schedule makes advance planning important.
- Mobile tickets: Mobile boarding passes are available on the main ferries serving this route.
- Online check-in: Follow the instructions in your confirmation email. Some companies issue the boarding pass immediately, while others require online check-in before departure.
- Identification: Bring the passport or identification used when booking.
Download the boarding pass or save a screenshot before leaving your hotel. Mobile service can become unreliable around the crowded port.
Example Santorini to Naxos Ferry Schedule
Example Santorini-to-Naxos ferry schedule and prices on Ferryhopper.com. Use this only as an example because departures, vessels, and fares vary by date.
Getting to Athinios Ferry Port
All passenger ferries leave from Athinios Port at the bottom of the caldera cliffs. Do not go to the Old Port below Fira, which serves cruise passengers and excursion boats.
Athinios is reached by a steep switchback road. Traffic becomes severely congested when several ferries arrive or depart close together, especially from June through September.
By Bus
Port buses leave from the main bus station in Fira in coordination with ferry departures. Check the current schedule shortly before travel because bus times change with the ferry timetable.
The bus is cheap and works well for solo travelers with manageable luggage. The drawbacks are crowding and the need to reach Fira first.
Travelers staying in Oia, Imerovigli, Kamari, or Perissa must first travel to Fira and then transfer to the port bus.
By Taxi or Private Transfer
A pre-booked taxi or private transfer is the easiest option from most Santorini hotels. It removes the uncertainty of finding one of Santorini’s limited taxis, though no driver can bypass congestion on the single road down to Athinios.
Ask your hotel or transfer company to recommend a pickup time based on your location, ferry departure, summer traffic, and the number of ships scheduled around the same time.
From Oia or Imerovigli, leaving 2 hours or more before a busy summer ferry is reasonable.
Uber on Santorini dispatches licensed taxis or transfer vehicles when available, but supply is limited. Do not rely on requesting one shortly before departure.
By Rental Car
Rental cars can be returned at Athinios when arranged in advance with the rental company. Confirm the meeting point and return procedure because parking and stopping space near the ramps is limited.
When taking a vehicle onto the ferry, follow the operator’s check-in instructions and arrive earlier than foot passengers.
When to Arrive
Aim to reach Athinios 45 to 60 minutes before departure. The port is small, crowded, exposed to sun and wind, and uncomfortable when several ferries are loading at once.
The important step is leaving your hotel early enough to account for traffic. Arriving at Athinios several hours early provides little benefit.
What Athinios Port Is Like
Athinios has ticket offices, cafés, small shops, toilets, and limited indoor waiting space. It becomes chaotic when passengers from an arriving ferry mix with those waiting to depart.
Keep children close, watch the port signs, and listen for boarding announcements. Ferries load quickly, and passengers, luggage, cars, buses, and trucks use the same general boarding area.
Remain near the cafés or designated waiting areas until boarding begins rather than standing beside the water or vehicle ramps.
Arriving at Naxos Port
The arrival in Naxos is scenic and straightforward. As the ferry approaches, look to the left, or north, to see the Portara standing on the small islet beside Naxos Town.
Ferries dock at the edge of Chora, within walking distance of the harbor, Old Town, bus station, taxi stand, restaurants, rental offices, and many hotels.
Walking to Naxos Town and St. George Beach
Many hotels around the harbor and Old Town are within 5 to 15 minutes on foot. The route can include cobbled alleys, stairs, and pedestrian-only lanes, so check the exact hotel location when traveling with heavy luggage.
Most St. George Beach hotels are about a 10 to 20-minute walk from the ferry. The route is largely level, but heat, crowds, and luggage make a taxi useful for hotels at the southern end of the beach.
Several businesses near the waterfront offer luggage storage, but check opening times and availability before relying on it.
Buses
The main bus station is at the end of the ferry pier. Summer buses serve Agios Prokopios, Agia Anna, Plaka Beach, Chalki, Filoti, and other parts of the island.
Check the current timetable before arrival. Evening and shoulder-season service is less frequent, and buses do not necessarily coordinate with every ferry.
Taxis and Hotel Transfers
The taxi stand is beside the bus terminal, but queues become long when a busy ferry arrives in July or August.
Ask your hotel to arrange a pickup when:
- staying outside Naxos Town or St. George Beach;
- arriving late in the day;
- traveling with children or substantial luggage;
- or staying at a rural hotel or villa.
Agios Prokopios, Agia Anna, and Plaka are not practical walks from the ferry port. Use the bus, taxi, rental car, or hotel transfer.
Plaka Beach stretches for several kilometers, so confirm which bus stop is closest to your hotel rather than relying on a generic “Plaka” destination.
Rental Cars
A rental car is useful for exploring Naxos’s mountain villages, remote beaches, and interior. Port pickup is convenient, but vehicle availability becomes tight in July and August.
Reserve ahead rather than expecting to find a suitable car after disembarking.
A car is unnecessary for travelers staying in Naxos Town and using buses to reach the west-coast beaches.
Luggage, Food, and Seasickness
Luggage
Large bags are stored in racks near the ferry entrance. Keep passports, medication, electronics, money, and valuables with you.
Luggage allowances are generous, and normal holiday suitcases are not weighed. Label each bag because luggage areas become crowded when ferries serve several islands.
Food and Drink
Ferries have cafés or snack bars, while Blue Star offers the widest selection and the most space to sit and eat. You can also bring your own food and water.
The journey is short enough that most travelers do not need a full meal onboard.
Seasickness
Blue Star is the better choice for travelers prone to seasickness. Its larger size provides a steadier ride than a high-speed catamaran during strong summer winds.
On a high-speed ferry:
- sit near the middle of the vessel;
- look toward the horizon rather than at a phone or book;
- avoid a heavy meal immediately before departure;
- and take motion-sickness medication in advance according to the package instructions or your doctor’s advice.
Delays, Wind, and Ferry Strikes
Ferries arriving at Santorini after earlier island stops are more likely to be delayed, especially later in the day. A ferry might be on time, 20 minutes late, or delayed much longer.
Do not arrange a tightly timed rental-car appointment, tour, dinner reservation, or flight immediately after the scheduled arrival in Naxos.
Use the MarineTrafficSantorini to Naxos Ferry Route
Some ferries travel directly from Santorini to Naxos, while others stop at Ios before continuing north. Check the complete route because similar departure times can produce different journey lengths.
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