Operator
Golden Star Ferries
The high-speed link from Rafina and the northern Cyclades to Santorini
- Rafina to Athinios in about 5 hours 30 minutes, the port 15 to 20 minutes from Athens airport
- Superexpress (1,070 passengers, 200 vehicles) and Golden Princess (877 passengers, 180 vehicles) carry cars
- Foot passengers 30 minutes and vehicles one hour before departure, at every port
About Golden Star Ferries
Table of Contents
About Golden Star Ferries
Golden Star Ferries is a Greek operator founded in 2011 and built around Rafina, the second port of Athens on the east coast of Attica. Rafina sits about 10 kilometres from Athens International Airport, 15 to 20 minutes by taxi or 30 minutes by regional bus, which is the company's main argument against Piraeus for travellers arriving by air. From Rafina it serves Andros, Tinos, Mykonos, Paros, Naxos, Ios and Santorini with a fleet of conventional ferries and high-speed craft; on the Santorini routes it is the only operator using Rafina.
The ships on the Santorini routes
Two high-speed car ferries carry the Santorini traffic. Superexpress is a 91.3-metre, 26-metre-wide catamaran with room for 1,070 passengers and 200 vehicles at a service speed of up to 43 knots, fitted with numbered aircraft-style seats, some with tables, a café bar, Wi-Fi, satellite TV, stabilisers and designated pet areas. Golden Princess is a 122-metre high-speed ferry for 877 passengers and 180 vehicles at up to 38 knots, with the same seat classes, a café bar, Wi-Fi, lifts and pet areas. Both are seat-only ships without cabins, which fits crossings of one to five and a half hours. The company's conventional ferries Superferry, Andros Queen and Andros King work the northern Cyclades and do not appear on the Santorini sailings.
Routes to Santorini on this site
Golden Star runs one chain: Rafina - Santorini in about 5 hours 30 minutes, calling at Tinos, Mykonos, Paros and Ios on the way, with Andros and Naxos on some sailings. The intermediate legs are short: Ios to Santorini takes about 40 minutes, Paros about 1 hour 45 minutes and Mykonos about 3 hours. The chain is seasonal, so check the timetable for your date. Every sailing arrives at Athinios; the full network, including the Piraeus alternative, is on the route map.
Check-in, vehicle and pet
Golden Star's ticket terms ask foot passengers to arrive at the ship no later than 30 minutes before the scheduled departure and drivers to be at the loading point one hour before, at Rafina and at the island ports alike. The e-ticket arrives by email and is accepted printed or on a phone or tablet together with an ID card, passport or driving licence; tickets are not issued on board. Luggage of up to 50 kilos travels free. Vehicles are loaded and unloaded by the driver alone, other occupants leave the vehicle first; electric and plug-in hybrid cars board with at most 40 percent battery charge, LPG and CNG vehicles with the tank at most half full, and alternative-fuel vehicles cannot travel unaccompanied. Small pets of up to 10 kilos travel in a carrier or bag and may stay with you in the public areas; larger animals use the designated pet areas and stay out of the enclosed lounges, on deck on a lead under your supervision, and you carry the health certificate.
Tickets
Tickets are sold online through the booking step on each route page, on Golden Star's own site and at its agencies in Rafina and on the islands. Children up to five travel free on a mandatory zero-fare ticket in economy class, and the fare otherwise depends on seat class, vehicle class and date. Cancellation is contractual and steps down with the time left before departure; read the conditions of your sailing. Departures are in the timetable.
FAQ Golden Star Ferries
Frequently asked questions
Questions and answers about Golden Star Ferries and its Santorini sailings.
Which routes does Golden Star Ferries sail to Santorini? +
Which ships does Golden Star Ferries use? +
Two high-speed car ferries: Superexpress, a 91-metre catamaran for 1,070 passengers and 200 vehicles at up to 43 knots, and Golden Princess, a 122-metre high-speed ferry for 877 passengers and 180 vehicles at up to 38 knots. Both have numbered aircraft-style seats, a café bar, Wi-Fi and designated pet areas.
When do I have to be at the port? +
Golden Star asks foot passengers to be at the ship at least 30 minutes before departure and drivers to be at the loading area one hour before, at Rafina and at the island ports alike. The e-ticket on your phone or printed is accepted at boarding together with an ID card, passport or driving licence; tickets are not sold on board.
Can I take a car? +
Yes, both Superexpress and Golden Princess have vehicle decks. The driver loads and unloads the car alone and other occupants walk on. Electric and plug-in hybrid cars must arrive with the battery at 40 percent or less, LPG and CNG vehicles with the tank at most half full, and such vehicles cannot travel unaccompanied. Whether a vehicle fare is offered for your sailing shows in the booking step.
Are pets allowed on board? +
Yes. Small pets of up to 10 kilos travel in a carrier or bag and may stay in the public areas with you; larger animals use the designated pet areas and are not allowed into the enclosed passenger lounges. On deck the animal stays on a lead under your supervision, and you carry its health certificate.
Where do I find fares? +
Fares depend on route, seat class, vehicle class and date. Children up to five travel free on a mandatory zero-fare ticket. Departures for your date are in the timetable.
Check your sailing
See when Golden Star sails to Athinios on your travel date, then open the route that fits.