Naxos to Athinios
Naxos to Santorini ferry
Compare the Naxos sailings, choose between speed and open deck, and open a booking for Athinios
- Up to 4 sailings a day: SeaJets high-speed craft and Blue Star ships
- From 1 h 05 by catamaran, 2 h to 2 h 55 on Blue Star Delos or Naxos
- Departure from Naxos harbour at Chora, arrival at Athinios
Table of Contents
The crossing at a glance
Naxos to Santorini runs with both vessel types every day. SeaJets sails up to four times daily from September into November, between 1 h 05 and 2 h 45 by jet; Blue Star Ferries has one conventional departure a day until the end of October - Blue Star Delos, Blue Star Naxos or Blue Star 1 - in 2 h to 2 h 55; Golden Star Ferries adds Golden Princess in September, about 1 h 35. Up to four sailings a day in total.
Getting to the port in Naxos
Ferries leave from the harbour of Naxos Town (Chora), right below the old town and the Portara islet; it is one of the largest ports in the Aegean and the ferry quay is a short walk from the bus stop on the waterfront. Ticket agencies line the harbour front; Blue Star and Golden Star do not sell tickets on board, so buy first.
Check-in and boarding
SeaJets: foot passengers at the embarkation area at least 30 minutes before departure, vehicles at the loading area 60 minutes before. Tickets are issued by name; show the e-ticket with your ID.
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.
Golden Star Ferries: foot passengers at the ship no later than 30 minutes before departure, vehicles at the loading point one hour before. Online bookings arrive as e-tickets.
On board
Blue Star's ships give you open decks, a self-service restaurant, café bars, Wi-Fi and kennels; SeaJets' jets and Golden Princess are seat-only with a café bar. Blue Star Delos and Naxos are the calmer ride in a fresh Meltemi. Luggage up to 50 kg per person is free with all three.
Vehicles, bicycles and pets
Blue Star Delos, Naxos and Blue Star 1 have proper garages; Golden Princess (180 vehicles) and SeaJets' Worldchampion, Champions League, Eurochampion and Champion Jets carry cars, Superjet and Super Jet 2 do not. 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. Blue Star's ships also offer pet cabins.
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: SeaJets refunds in full up to 14 days before departure, then in steps down to 12 hours; Blue Star Ferries refunds in full up to 14 days before departure, then in steps down to 12 hours; Golden Star Ferries charges a cancellation fee from 14 days out and cannot cancel within 12 hours. Departures for your date are in the timetable.
Naxos - Santorini
Fast or conventional - both run daily
Naxos - Santorini is one of the few Cyclades links where both vessel types sail every day. SeaJets runs up to four high-speed departures from September into November, between 1 h 05 and 2 h 45 depending on the jet and its calls; Blue Star Ferries sends a conventional ship - Blue Star Delos, Naxos or Blue Star 1 - once a day until the end of October, 2 h to 2 h 55 with vehicle deck and open decks; and Golden Star Ferries adds a Golden Princess sailing in September, about 1 h 35.
The choice is the usual one: the jets are quicker but seat-only and wind-sensitive, the Blue Star ships steadier, cheaper and the only option with a car. The schedule below shows which sails on your date.
- Departure
- Naxos harbour, Chora
- Operators
- SeaJets, Blue Star, Golden Star
- Crossing
- 1 h 05 - 2 h 55
- From-price
- €27
- SeaJets
- Blue Star Ferries
Next departures
FAQ Naxos - Santorini
Frequently asked questions
Questions about the Naxos - Santorini crossing.
How long does the ferry from Naxos to Santorini take? +
1 h 05 to 2 h 45 on SeaJets' high-speed craft depending on the vessel and its island calls, 2 h to 2 h 55 on Blue Star Ferries' conventional ships, and about 1 h 35 on Golden Star's Golden Princess in September.
Is there a car ferry from Naxos to Santorini? +
Yes - the daily Blue Star sailing (Blue Star Delos, Naxos or Blue Star 1) has a full vehicle deck, and Golden Princess and most of SeaJets' large jets carry cars too. SeaJets' Superjet and Super Jet 2 are passenger-only. The vehicle fare shows in the booking step only where the vessel has a deck.
Where does the ferry leave from on Naxos? +
From the harbour in Naxos Town (Chora), one of the largest ports in the Aegean, a few minutes' walk from the waterfront cafés. Ticket offices line the harbour road; buy before you go to the ramp, tickets are not sold on board.
When do I need to be at the port? +
Blue Star Ferries: at the embarkation area at least one hour before departure. SeaJets: 30 minutes on foot, 60 minutes with a vehicle. Golden Star: 30 minutes on foot, one hour with a vehicle.
Are there overnight sailings? +
Blue Star's ship on the Piraeus chain passes Naxos late in the evening and reaches Santorini in the small hours on some dates - useful if you want a full last day on Naxos. Exact times are in the timetable.