In brief, going from Athens to Santorini
by ferry is simple!
-
Ferries operate daily throughout the year.
- The ports of Athens that serve the itinerary and back are Piraeus and Rafina.
- A ticket costs '48' 'EUR'(48 Euros) - '90' 'EUR'(90 Euros) for a standard seat.
Disclaimer: The information provided below is based on previous years' data. To find the exact routes for your dates, please refer to our booking engine.
Ferries from Athens operate all year round. However, during the peak season (May to September) there are multiple ferries per day that depart both in the morning and in the evening.
• From Piraeus Port: The first ferry departs at 07:00, while the last one departs at 20:30.
• From Rafina Port: Ferries start to operate in April and end in September.
Indicative Ferry Routes from Piraeus & Rafina ports*
Schedules frequencyMultiple times per day
First ferry07:00
Last ferry17:30
Average duration06h32m
*Based on data from 2022-2023
ferry ATHENS, PIRAEUS - SANTORINI (THIRA)
COMPANY
VESSELS
DURATION
PRICE
COMPANY
VESSELS
3
DURATION
08h15m
PRICE
€58.00 - €164.00
COMPANY
VESSELS
1
DURATION
06h45m
PRICE
€73.00 - €93.00
COMPANY
VESSELS
4
DURATION
05h00m
PRICE
€84.70 - €138.70
ferry ATHENS, RAFINA - SANTORINI (THIRA)
COMPANY
VESSELS
DURATION
PRICE
COMPANY
VESSELS
1
DURATION
06h10m
PRICE
€81.00 - €100.00
Types of ferries
For the ferry route Athens-Santorini, two types of vessels are available: conventional passenger ferries, which are the cheapest option, and high-speed ferries, which are the fastest way to reach your destination.
Conventional ferries are usually bigger and can carry more cars and motorbikes. High-speed boats offer numbered seats and have smaller garages.
A conventional ferry is a better option if you’re not in a hurry.
View our video presentation with some of the ferries operating between Athens and Santorini.
Distance & Duration of the trip
The distance between Piraeus port and Santorini is 125 nautical miles (134 miles or 231 kilometers).
The duration of the trip from Athens is 5 to 9.5 hours, depending on the type of ferry you’re traveling with.
A high-speed or catamaran vessel will get you there in 5-6 hours, while a conventional ferry will get you there in 7-9.5 hours.
The fastest ferry is World Champion Jet by Seajets.
Prices & Tickets
The prices for ferry tickets are between '48' 'EUR'(48 Euros) and '164' 'EUR'(164 Euros).
Standard tickets cost up to '89.7' 'EUR'(89.7 Euros) depending on the vessel type, while business-class ticket prices are '80.5' 'EUR'(80.5 Euros) - '120' 'EUR'(120 Euros). The most expensive tickets are in VIP class in speed boats or if a cabin is included in conventional boats.
Passengers can also benefit from the discounts offered by most ferry companies. With the relevant documents, you will be able to get a 50% discount if you belong to one of the following categories: ISIC cardholders and children up to 10. Babies and toddlers travel for free with many companies.
On FerriesinGreece, you can search for all available ferry schedules and timetables, compare ferry boats, companies and prices, create your itinerary, and book your ferry tickets in 4 easy steps on our secure server.
FerriesinGreece is an awarded ferry booking engine rated 4.7/5 stars by its customers. Read our customer reviews.
We don’t just sell ferry tickets. We offer you personalized follow-up and assistance during and after your ticket purchase. Our specialized team is always ready to assist you with issues that might arise and help you get to your destinations safely and with peace of mind. We are here to handle anything that might come up regarding your ferry trip.
Most vessels offer various types of seats to choose from for different prices.
Generally, keep in mind that economy lounge seats or standard seats are the most affordable option, while the most expensive tickets are in VIP class in speed boats or if a cabin is included in conventional boats.
Standard seats in conventional boats are not numbered, which means that you will have to be on board early enough to catch one. You will also not be able to leave your seat unsupervised. Airplane seats are the cheapest kind of numbered seats. They can be found in separate lounges that are smaller but guarantee that you will be able to keep a comfortable seat during the whole trip. VIP or business seats are the most expensive ones. They allow you to spend your trip comfortably in the ship's luxury lounge.
How to find your ferry in the ports of Athens (Piraeus & Rafina)
Athens has two ports serving Santorini.
In Piraeus Port, Gates E6, E7, E9 and E10 serve ferries that depart to Santorini among other Cycladic islands. The gate of departure will be indicated on your ferry ticket (printed or electronic). Rafina Port is much smaller and doesn’t have any gates. You will be able to see your vessel easily. Don't get lost! Get our Piraeus Port Map and Rafina Port Map.
As for Santorini, Athinios port serves all passenger ferries. The port is located 8 km from Fira, the capital of the island. Find more info, photos, and a map of Athinios Port.
In any case, make sure to arrive at the port at least 1 hour in advance since there is a lot of traffic. Especially if you are traveling in high season, keep in mind that both in Athens and in Santorini, you will encounter traffic congestion around the port and you should make sure you get there on time. Do you need a transfer? We've got you covered! Check out our Transfer service!
Luggage
Ferries are very flexible in terms of luggage policies.
There is no check-in and you are responsible to carry them on board and place them in the luggage room or carry them with you.
Keep in mind that the holder of a full ticket is allowed to carry luggage up to 40 kilos or 0,5 cubic meters free of charge.
As for luggage storage, you have two options: you can either keep your belongings next to you on the ship or use its luggage area.
It is recommended to keep your personal items onboard and use the luggage room for your suitcases.
Traveling with a car
For cars and motorbikes, an additional vehicle ticket is required, which does not include the driver’s ticket.
You will also have to get to the port 60-90 minutes before departure to have enough time to get on board and park.
Keep in mind that high-speed vessels have a limited capacity in their garage and they tend to get fully booked.
For safety reasons, you cannot enter the garage during the trip. Note: Many car rental companies do not allow customers to ferry their vehicles. We recommend avoiding purchasing a vehicle ticket before contacting your car rental company.
Alternative ways to reach Santorini
Mykonos island also has an international airport, so it is possible to fly there directly from abroad and then get from Mykonos to Santorini by ferry.
Alternatively, you can fly directly from Athens International Airport to the national airports of Naxos, Paros or Milos and then take a ferry to Santorini from there.
About Santorini
Santorini is the most popular island in Greece, visited by millions of people every year. We have created a mini-guide for Santorini, which features the best things to see & do on the island.
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