Rafina to Athinios
Rafina to Santorini ferry
Compare the Rafina sailing with the Piraeus corridor and open a booking for Athinios
- Golden Star Ferries most days, about 5 h 20 by high-speed craft
- Rafina is 15-20 minutes from Athens airport by taxi
- Vehicles carried on both Golden Star vessels, arrival at Athinios
Table of Contents
The crossing at a glance
Rafina to Santorini is Golden Star Ferries' long Cyclades run: Superexpress or Golden Princess sails most days until the end of October and reaches Athinios in about 5 h 20, calling at northern Cyclades ports on the way. Rafina is Athens' second port and the one closest to the airport - the reason to choose this sailing over the more frequent Piraeus corridor.
Getting to Rafina port
Rafina port, run by the Rafina Port Authority, lies on the east coast of Attica about 10 km from Athens airport - 15-20 minutes by taxi, about 30 minutes by the direct regional bus. The ferry quay is right in the town; Golden Star's ticket office and the agencies sit on the harbour front, and vehicles queue on the quay road.
Check-in and boarding
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
Superexpress (1,070 passengers) and Golden Princess (877) are high-speed craft with seats allocated by class, café bar and Wi-Fi; the five hours pass with several island calls to watch. As fast craft they are cancelled sooner than conventional ships in a strong Meltemi. Luggage up to 50 kg per person is free.
Vehicles, bicycles and pets
Both Golden Star vessels carry vehicles - Superexpress 200, Golden Princess 180 - and drivers load and unload themselves. 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. Pets under 10 kg travel in a carrier in the public areas; larger animals stay in the pet area, which passengers may not enter on the high- speed ships.
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: 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.
Rafina - Santorini
The airport-side departure to Santorini
Rafina - Santorini is a Golden Star Ferries route: Superexpress or Golden Princess sails most days until the end of October in the current schedule, about 5 h 20 to Athinios with calls at the northern Cyclades on the way. Rafina is Athens' second port, on the east side of the city and only 15-20 minutes by taxi from the airport - which is why this sailing suits arrivals who land in the morning better than a cross-town transfer to Piraeus.
Piraeus has more sailings and a year-round service; Rafina wins on transfer time from the airport. The schedule below shows the Rafina departures; the Piraeus options are on the Athens route.
- Departure
- Rafina port, east of Athens
- Operator
- Golden Star Ferries
- Crossing
- about 5 h 20
- From-price
- €70
Next departures
FAQ Rafina - Santorini
Frequently asked questions
Questions about the Rafina - Santorini crossing.
How long is the ferry from Rafina to Santorini? +
About 5 h 20 with Golden Star Ferries' Superexpress or Golden Princess, both high-speed craft that call at the northern Cyclades on the way. The sailing runs most days until the end of October in the current schedule.
Rafina or Piraeus for Santorini? +
Rafina is 15-20 minutes from Athens airport by taxi or half an hour by the direct bus; Piraeus is on the far side of the city. Piraeus has more sailings, conventional ships and a year-round service. If you land in the morning and want to be on Santorini the same afternoon, Rafina is the shorter chain; otherwise compare on the Athens route.
Can I take a car from Rafina? +
Yes - Superexpress carries 200 vehicles and Golden Princess 180. Vehicles must be at the loading point one hour before departure; electric cars board with the battery at 40 % or less.
When should I be at Rafina port? +
Golden Star asks for 30 minutes before departure on foot and one hour with a vehicle. E-tickets from an online booking are shown with your ID at boarding; tickets are not sold on board.