Rethymno to Athinios
Rethymno to Santorini ferry
Check which days the Rethymno sailing runs and open a booking for Athinios
- SeaJets Elite Jet in about 2 h 20, roughly two sailings a week
- Season September to October in the current schedule
- Departure from Rethymno's east harbour, arrival at Athinios
Table of Contents
The crossing at a glance
Rethymno to Santorini is a seasonal SeaJets route flown by the Elite Jet, a catamaran with a vehicle deck, in about 2 h 20. The current schedule shows roughly two sailings a week in September and October. There is no conventional ferry and no second operator on this leg.
Getting to the port in Rethymno
The ferry leaves from Rethymno's east harbour in the Perivolia district, the commercial port where cruise ships and car ferries berth - not from the Venetian harbour in the old town. The municipal port fund runs the quay; from the old town it is a short taxi ride, and the national road passes right behind the port for anyone driving in from Chania.
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.
On board
Elite Jet is a large catamaran with seats allocated by class, café bar, shop, Wi-Fi and pet kennels. The leg crosses open sea, and as a high-speed craft it is the first to be cancelled in a strong north wind - the operator then refunds the fare. Luggage up to 50 kg per person is free.
Vehicles, bicycles and pets
Elite Jet carries up to 181 vehicles, and drivers load and unload themselves after presenting the car at the loading area 60 minutes 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. Pets under 10 kg travel in a basket, larger ones in the kennels.
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. Departures for your date are in the timetable.
Rethymno - Santorini
Western Crete to Santorini without the drive to Heraklion
Rethymno - Santorini is a seasonal SeaJets service with the Elite Jet, a vehicle-carrying catamaran, in about 2 h 20 - the alternative to driving to Heraklion for anyone based in western Crete. In the current schedule it runs about twice a week in September and October.
Because it sails on set days only, plan the trip around the departure rather than the other way round. The schedule below shows the next sailings.
- Departure
- Rethymno, east harbour
- Operator
- SeaJets (Elite Jet)
- Crossing
- about 2 h 20
- From-price
- €93
Next departures
FAQ Rethymno - Santorini
Frequently asked questions
Questions about the Rethymno - Santorini crossing.
How long does the Rethymno - Santorini ferry take? +
About 2 h 20 on SeaJets' Elite Jet, the only vessel on the route. It sails on set days - about two a week in September and October - so check the timetable before fixing dates.
Where does the ferry leave from in Rethymno? +
From the east harbour in the Perivolia district, where the cruise ships and car ferries berth - not from the small Venetian harbour in the old town. The municipal port fund manages the quay; allow a taxi ride from the old town.
Can I take a car from Rethymno to Santorini? +
Yes. Elite Jet carries up to 181 vehicles. Present the car at the loading area 60 minutes before departure; electric cars board with the battery at 40 % or less.
Is a Santorini day trip possible from Rethymno? +
Not with a same-day return on this route - the sailing runs only on set days. Combine an outbound from Rethymno with a return via Heraklion, which has a daily jet.