Karpathos to Athinios
Karpathos to Santorini ferry
Check the Karpathos sailing days and open a booking for Athinios
- Blue Star Chios, about three sailings a week, 7 to 12.5 h
- Overnight conventional ship with cabins and vehicle deck
- Departure from Pigadia, arrival at Athinios
Table of Contents
The crossing at a glance
Karpathos to Santorini is a leg of Blue Star Ferries' Dodecanese line: Blue Star Chios calls at Pigadia about three times a week in September and October on its way from Rhodes and reaches Athinios in 7 to 12.5 hours via Kasos and Anafi, mostly overnight. The ship has 252 berths, airline seats, a full garage and pet cabins, and it is the only scheduled link between the two islands.
Getting to the port in Karpathos
The ship berths at Pigadia, Karpathos' capital and main harbour on the east coast, a short walk from the town centre and the bus stop; the island's airport lies to the south. Blue Star's agents on the harbour front handle tickets. On some sailings the ship also calls at Diafani in the north - the ticket names your port.
Check-in and boarding
Blue Star Ferries: every passenger, on foot or with a car, at the embarkation area at least one hour before departure. Web check-in runs from 48 to 2 hours before departure and issues the e-ticket you show with your ID card or passport.
On board
Blue Star Chios has 252 berths, airline seats, a self-service restaurant, café bars, an open deck bar, Wi-Fi, lifts, kennels and pet cabins. Most of the leg runs at night, so a cabin or at least an airline seat is the booking to make. Luggage up to 50 kg per person is free.
Vehicles, bicycles and pets
Blue Star Chios carries cars, campers and motorbikes in its 430-lane-metre garage; drivers load and unload themselves and must be at the loading area one hour before departure. Electric cars board only with the battery at 40 % or less, declared at booking - a Greek rule every operator applies. Pets travel free but must be declared at booking with the health-booklet number; no pet ticket is issued on board. Pet cabins can be booked for the overnight leg.
Arriving at Athinios
Every sailing lands at Athinios, Santorini's main passenger and vehicle port below the caldera cliffs - about 8 km from Fira, 7 km from the airport, open around the clock, with buses, taxis and a car park on the quay. The switchback road up the cliff is the only way out, so settle your transfer before you land: Athinios port guide.
Tickets and fares
The fare depends on operator, vessel and seat type. Cancellation terms are contractual and staggered: Blue Star Ferries refunds in full up to 14 days before departure, then in steps down to 12 hours. Departures for your date are in the timetable.
Karpathos - Santorini
Karpathos to Santorini on the Dodecanese line
Karpathos - Santorini is a leg of Blue Star Ferries' Dodecanese line: Blue Star Chios calls at Pigadia, the island's main port, about three times a week in September and October on its way from Rhodes and reaches Athinios in 7 to 12.5 hours via Kasos and Anafi, mostly overnight. The ship carries vehicles and has 252 berths - the only scheduled link between Karpathos and Santorini.
The same sailing also calls at Diafani in the north of the island on some days. The schedule below shows the next departures from Pigadia.
- Departure
- Pigadia, Karpathos
- Operator
- Blue Star Ferries (Blue Star Chios)
- Crossing
- 7 - 12.5 h
- From-price
- €23
Next departures
FAQ Karpathos - Santorini
Frequently asked questions
Questions about the Karpathos - Santorini crossing.
How long is the ferry from Karpathos to Santorini? +
7 to 12.5 hours on Blue Star Chios, depending on the day's itinerary via Kasos and Anafi; the ship sails about three times a week in September and October, largely overnight.
Which port on Karpathos? +
Pigadia, the island's capital and main harbour on the east coast. Blue Star Chios also calls at Diafani in the north on some sailings - the ticket names the port.
Can I take a car from Karpathos to Santorini? +
Yes - Blue Star Chios has a 430-lane-metre garage. Vehicles must be at the loading area one hour before departure; electric cars board with the battery at 40 % or less.
Is a cabin worth it? +
On a sailing of seven to twelve hours through the night, yes; the ship has 252 berths and pet cabins, with airline seats as the cheaper alternative. Choose the seat or cabin type in the booking step.