Ferry from Santorini to Athens

How to Get from Santorini to Athens

Athens, the Greek capital, is the largest city in the country and one of its most popular tourist destinations. Moreover, it is home to the main and busiest Greek airport, -El. Venizelos- and offers frequent bus and train connections to all parts of the country. Thus, whether you plan to explore Athens and its countless sites and attractions or are heading back home, you’ll need to make your way from Santorini to Athens.

Ferry sailings are the most common option for travel from Santorini to Athens. The New Port, Athinios Port, is the one handling all ferry routes, located on the southwest part of the island. It lies about 8km/4.9 miles from Fira (the island’s capital) and 10km/6.2 miles from Santorini Airport. Are you wondering how to reach the port to catch your ferry? Santorini port taxis are one of the most convenient options. That being said, their limited number makes taxis hard to find. Alternatively, you can book a private port transfer. On the other hand, rental cars are frequently selected in Santorini. Hence, if you have rented a car, you should consider arranging to drop it off at the Santorini Ferry Port. Finally, KTEL buses are widely favored by travelers on a tight budget. Please note that the port is directly connected to Fira by bus. Except for the bus route from Fira to Santorini Port, reaching other destinations typically requires a change of lines.

The main port in Athens and one of the busiest passenger harbors in the world is Piraeus Port. Therefore, the majority of sailings from Santorini to Athens head to Piraeus. On the other hand, Athens features two more ports, Rafina and Lavrio. Although there aren’t ferries from the Cycladic island to Lavrio, a few routes travel from Santorini to Rafina. Are you wondering which port to choose as your destination? Besides the routes’ frequency (most ferries head to Piraeus), Piraeus Port is located relatively close to the Athens city center (12km/7.5 miles from downtown), while Rafina Port is situated near Athens International Airport.

Types of Ferries from Santorini to Athens

Two types of ferries link Santorini to Athens. Indeed, both conventional and high-speed ferries depart from the Santorini Ferry Port, heading to Piraeus Port. That being said, the Santorini to Rafina route is served by only one high-speed ferry. All vessels are modern and comfortable, featuring amenities such as snack bars, coffee shops, lounge areas, and restrooms. Some even have restaurant facilities and business-class zones. They all comply with the highest safety standards, as inspections regularly take place to ensure the passengers’ safety. Moreover, all ferries are accessible, offering special services and amenities for passengers with disabilities. Last but not least, they are air-conditioned, which is an important factor considering the high temperatures in Greece during the summer. In fact, it is rather chilly inside the ferries. Therefore, passengers are advised to dress accordingly.

So, which type of ferry should you choose for your travel? Check each option’s pros and cons:

* Thus, routes aren’t often delayed due to weather conditions. Moreover, conventional ferries are recommended for passengers affected by sea nausea.

The Ferry Schedule from Santorini to Piraeus

The route from Santorini to Piraeus is in high demand. Therefore, there are more than 9 sailings from Santorini to Piraeus Port during the summer months. However, sailings are less frequent in the winter. The ferry timetables change every year. Still, the crossings are more or less the same. In any case, passengers are advised to book their tickets well in advance to ensure availability. Even more so, early reservations are recommended for passengers traveling with vehicles or wishing to book a cabin as well on one of the conventional ferries. Moreover, the sooner you book your ferry ticket, the greater the chances of finding special deals and discounts.

The travel time for crossings from Santorini to Athens depends on the chosen vessel. Overall, sailings last from 5.5 hours to 11 hours. Expectantly, weather conditions affect trip duration. Therefore, when the weather is rough, sailings take longer. Additionally, many ferries make in-between stops before reaching their destination. Indeed, many of them stop at various islands, such as Mykonos, Naxos, Paros, Milos, Ios, Folegandros, etc. The number of intermediate stops has an impact on the overall travel time. Plus, delays may occur at each port depending on the number of passengers boarding and alighting the ferry.

Santorini Athinios Port is a busy and small harbor. As a result, it often gets congested, making the boarding process more tedious and time-consuming. Furthermore, the road leading to Thira Port traverses Caldera. Thus, it is steep and challenging, especially in heavy traffic. Take all these factors into consideration when planning your arrival at Athinios Port. In general, passengers are advised to be at the Santorini Ferry Port about one hour before the sailing. Most ferry companies provide web check-in services, allowing travelers to download their boarding passes to their electronic devices and save time at the port. If this isn’t the case, you should allow extra time to collect your ferry ticket from the port’s travel agencies. In any case, all the port facilities lie close to each other. Thus, no matter how you reach the port (by car, taxi, or bus), the ferry gates will be just a few meters from the drop-off point.

Fares and Tickets for Ferries from Santorini to Athens

Fares and tickets for the ferry routes from Santorini to Piraeus vary. Several factors affect the cost of the ferry trip. Thus, economy-class tickets are the most affordable option, while if you want to reserve a numbered seat, a seat in the business lounge areas, or a cabin, you should expect to pay a higher price. Overall, a cheap ferry ticket from Santorini to Piraeus costs from €59/$66,30 to €90/$101. Although each ferry company has its own policy, in general, children younger than 4 travel for free, whereas kids 5 to 10 are entitled to discounted fares. Have you booked your ticket online? Print or save it on your phone and display it to the ferry’s staff when boarding the vessel.

Ferry Routes from Santorini to Rafina

While most ferries head from Santorini to Piraeus, Golden Star Ferries offer a route to Rafina. Thus, the Superexpress ferry departs from Athinios Port from Monday to Sunday at 02:15 am with Rafina as its final destination. The sailing with Superexpress lasts around 6 hours and 5 minutes, and an economy-class ticket costs €82/$92. Please note that the ferry doesn’t offer cabins. Will you bring your car on the ferry? You’ll pay a €85/$95,40 fare.

Ferry Companies with Routes from Santorini to Athens

Routes and Fares of Ferry Companies from Santorini to Piraeus

It’s important to remember that the ferry timetables vary depending on the time of the year. Moreover, they change slightly from year to year. Therefore, you should always check each company’s schedule. In any case, you can take a look at the current timetable for ferries from Santorini to Piraeus:

Blue Star Ferries Routes from Santorini to Piraeus

Hellenic Seaways Ferries from Santorini to Athens

Fast Ferries from Santorini to Piraeus

Seajets Ferries from Santorini to Piraeus

A Flight or a Ferry from Santorini to Athens?

While ferry journeys from Santorini to Athens are a popular transit option, the Cycladic island also features an airport. So, should you reach Athens by ferry, sailing to Piraeus Port or Rafina, or opt for a flight to Athens International Airport?

Flights depart frequently from Santorini Airport (JTR) to Athens. Overall, air travel is widely favored by passengers who prefer comfortable journeys and wish to avoid the congestion of often-crowded ferries, especially during the summer months. Moreover, Athinios Port is a small harbor that serves as a very busy hub. This, combined with the winding and difficult road to the port, often makes passengers reluctant to choose a ferry journey to Athens. Finally, air journeys are significantly shorter than sailings.

On the other hand, most of Santorini’s visitors arrive on the island by ferry, and there are many reasons for that. To begin with, ferry journeys are cheap, at least when compared to air travel. Additionally, all ferries connecting Athens to Piraeus (but not to Rafina) can accommodate vehicles. Therefore, passengers can travel with their own car or motorcycle without needing to rent a vehicle or use taxis and local public transport. Plus, there are no luggage restrictions on ferry journeys, unlike flights. Last but not least, ferry crossings are a scenic way to travel, allowing passengers to unwind under the rejuvenating Greek sun, enjoy stunning sea views, and catch glimpses of the ports along the way.

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