Piraeus to Athinios
Athens to Santorini ferry
Compare the current Piraeus sailings, pick your vessel type and open a booking for Athinios
- Piraeus is connected to Santorini daily and year-round
- Conventional ferries and high-speed craft on one corridor
- Arrival at Athinios, the island's main port
Table of Contents
The crossing at a glance
Athens to Santorini is the main corridor to the island and the only one the port authority lists as connected daily and year-round. Three operators currently share the Piraeus departures: Blue Star Ferries with conventional ships that call at Cyclades islands on the way, SeaJets with faster high-speed craft, and Cyclades Fast Ferries on a longer chain via the western Cyclades. Departure times, durations and fares differ a lot between these vessel types - the schedule below shows what actually sails on your date.
Choose your Athens departure port
Piraeus, south-west of central Athens, is the default and carries almost all Santorini traffic. Rafina, the second Athens port on the other side of the city, appears in the schedule seasonally with Golden Star Ferries and is often the quicker terminal to reach from Athens airport. If both fit your date, compare total travel time door to door - the transfer to the right port can outweigh the difference on the water; both Athens options sit side by side on the frontpage route guide.
Getting to the Piraeus terminal
Piraeus is connected to central Athens by metro and bus, and the port area is vast: it is divided into gates, and Cyclades ferries do not all leave from the same one. Your ticket or the operator's boarding information names the right gate - Blue Star publishes an official port map for its own departures. Plan the way to the gate like a separate leg of the journey rather than a walk across a quay.
Check-in and boarding
Foot passengers with an online ticket board with the operator's boarding document; some operators require a printed or digital boarding pass issued before departure. The binding check-in deadline is in your booking confirmation - allow extra in high season for queues, and significantly more if you bring a vehicle, which boards via its own lanes and earlier deadlines.
On board
Conventional ferries have open decks, lounges and vehicle space, and the longer sailings run partly overnight - a steady, relaxed way to arrive. High-speed craft are seat-only with a closed cabin and noticeably faster, but more sensitive to wind: in rough weather they are the first sailings to be cancelled. Luggage rules differ by operator, especially on high-speed craft - check the conditions of your sailing if you travel heavy.
Vehicles, bicycles and luggage
Vehicle transport exists only on vessels with a vehicle deck, which on this corridor means the conventional ferries. Whether a vehicle fare is offered for your specific sailing shows in the booking step; check-in deadlines and deck rules come from the operator. For bicycles and bulky luggage the same applies - the operator's current conditions are authoritative, so clarify before you book rather than at the ramp.
Arriving at Athinios
All scheduled ferries arrive at Athinios, the island's main passenger and commercial port on the west coast - about 8 km from Fira and 7 km from the airport, open around the clock. Plan your onward transfer before you land and read the practicalities on the Athinios port guide.
Tickets and fares
The fare depends on operator, vessel type, accommodation on board and date; the binding amount appears in the booking step. Compare more than the headline price: a conventional evening sailing and a midday high-speed crossing are different products on the same route. Departures for your date are in the timetable.
Piraeus - Santorini
One corridor, two vessel types
Piraeus - Santorini is the backbone of the island's ferry traffic and the only origin the port authority lists as connected daily and year-round. Blue Star Ferries runs conventional ships that call at Cyclades islands on the way, SeaJets adds faster high-speed craft, and Cyclades Fast Ferries serves the island on a longer chain via the western Cyclades.
The trade-off is simple: high-speed craft are quicker but seat-only and more wind-sensitive; conventional ferries take longer, ride more steadily, have open decks and carry vehicles. Exact times and durations for your date are in the schedule below.
- Departure
- Piraeus, Athens' main port
- Operators
- Blue Star, SeaJets, Fast Ferries
- Arrival
- Athinios
- From-price
- €40
- SeaJets
- Blue Star Ferries
- Cyclades Fast Ferries
Next departures
FAQ Athens - Santorini
Frequently asked questions
Questions about the Athens - Santorini crossing.
Piraeus or Rafina? +
Piraeus is the default: it is connected to Santorini daily and year-round and carries both conventional ferries and high-speed craft. Rafina appears in the schedule seasonally on Golden Star's route chain and can be quicker to reach from Athens airport. If your dates are outside summer, Piraeus is the safe choice.
Which port do I arrive at on Santorini? +
At Athinios, the island's main passenger port, about 8 km from Fira and 7 km from the airport. The Old Port below Fira serves cruise tenders and excursion boats, not the scheduled ferries. What to expect on arrival is on the Athinios port guide.
Can I take a vehicle? +
Only on vessels with a vehicle deck - that means the conventional ferries, not the high-speed craft. Whether a vehicle fare is offered for your sailing shows in the booking step, and the operator's current conditions govern check-in times and what you may bring. Clarify the vehicle question with the operator before you book.
When should I be at the port in Piraeus? +
Piraeus is a large port divided into gates, and Cyclades ferries do not all leave from the same one. Your operator names the gate on the ticket or in the boarding information - Blue Star publishes an official port map for its own departures. Allow generous time for the way to the gate, more if you travel with a vehicle, and follow your booking confirmation's check-in deadline.