Rhodes to Athinios
Rhodes to Santorini ferry
Check the Dodecanese sailing days and open a booking for Athinios
- Blue Star Chios, about three sailings a week, 11 h 40 to 18 h
- Overnight conventional ship with cabins and vehicle deck
- Departure from Rhodes ferry port, arrival at Athinios
Table of Contents
The crossing at a glance
Rhodes to Santorini is Blue Star Ferries' Dodecanese line: Blue Star Chios sails about three times a week in September and October, calls at Chalki, Diafani and Pigadia on Karpathos, Kasos and Anafi, and reaches Athinios after 11 h 40 to 18 hours, largely overnight. A conventional ship with 252 berths, airline seats, a full garage and pet cabins - and the only sea link between the Dodecanese and Santorini.
Getting to the port in Rhodes
The ship leaves from the ferry port just outside the walls of Rhodes Old Town; the harbour has several basins - Kolona and the adjacent commercial port - and the berth is on the ticket, so follow Blue Star's boarding information rather than the first quay you reach. Vehicles marshal on the harbour road in the order the port authority sets. Boarding is also possible at the intermediate calls on Chalki, Karpathos and Kasos.
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. For an overnight crossing a cabin is the sensible booking; the open sea south of Karpathos can be rough in a north wind. 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 are the option 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.
Rhodes - Santorini
The Dodecanese line to Santorini
Rhodes - Santorini is the long Blue Star Ferries line across the southern Aegean: Blue Star Chios sails about three times a week in September and October, calls at Chalki, Diafani and Pigadia on Karpathos, Kasos and Anafi on the way, and reaches Athinios after 11 h 40 to 18 hours, largely overnight. It is a conventional ship with 252 berths, airline seats and a full garage - the only sea link between the Dodecanese and Santorini.
Chalki, Diafani and Kasos have no separate pages: they are calls on this sailing and appear on the map below. The schedule shows the next departures.
- Departure
- Rhodes ferry port
- Operator
- Blue Star Ferries (Blue Star Chios)
- Crossing
- 11 h 40 - 18 h
- From-price
- €21
Next departures
FAQ Rhodes - Santorini
Frequently asked questions
Questions about the Rhodes - Santorini crossing.
How long is the ferry from Rhodes to Santorini? +
11 h 40 to 18 hours on Blue Star Chios, depending on the day's itinerary; the ship calls at Chalki, Diafani, Karpathos, Kasos and Anafi on the way and sails largely overnight, about three times a week in September and October.
Where does the ferry leave from in Rhodes? +
From the ferry port just outside the walls of the Old Town; the harbour has several basins and the ticket names the berth. Be at the embarkation area at least one hour before departure.
Should I book a cabin? +
For twelve to eighteen hours, mostly at night, yes: Blue Star Chios has 252 berths in cabins, plus airline seats as the cheaper alternative. Cabin and seat types are selected in the booking step.
Can I take a car from Rhodes to Santorini? +
Yes - the ship has a 430-lane-metre garage for cars, campers and motorbikes. Vehicles must be at the loading area one hour before departure; electric cars board with the battery at 40 % or less.
Can I board at Chalki, Karpathos or Kasos? +
Yes - the same sailing calls at Chalki, Diafani and Pigadia on Karpathos and at Kasos, and each has its own fare to Santorini in the booking step. Karpathos has its own page under Karpathos - Santorini; the smaller calls are shown on the map on this page.