Port guide
Santorini ferry port: Athinios
Regular passenger ferries use Athinios, the island's main sea gateway - not the Old Port below Fira.
Key facts
Athinios at a glance
Main passenger port
8 km from Fira
7 km from the airport
Open 24 hours
Two ports, two jobs
Athinios or the Old Port?
Both lie below steep caldera cliffs, but they serve different traffic. Every scheduled ferry docks at Athinios; the Old Port in Fira Bay, directly below the capital, handles cruise tenders and excursion boats. Whatever a map's "Santorini port" label suggests, head for Athinios.
Table of Contents
Where is Athinios?
Athinios lies on Santorini's west coast, at the foot of the caldera cliffs - about 8 km from Fira, the island capital, and 7 km from the airport. It is the island's main passenger and commercial port and the sea gateway for vehicles and visitors arriving by water: it has daily, year-round service to Piraeus plus connections across the Cyclades, to Crete and to the Dodecanese. The port operates around the clock.
Getting between Athinios and Fira
Taxis and public buses serve the port; the bus runs between Athinios and Fira, where the island's other bus lines start. The road up from the port climbs the caldera wall in switchbacks, so the short distance takes longer than the kilometres suggest - factor that in when your onward plan is tight, and on departure day add it to the check-in time below.
Getting between Athinios and the airport
The airport lies on the island's east side, about 7 km from the port. There is no single dedicated link between the two - travellers change buses in Fira or take a taxi. If you are connecting a ferry to a flight, leave real buffer between them: both ferry arrivals and island roads have their own rhythms in high season.
Arriving for your ferry
Athinios is compact but busy: ferries load and unload vehicles and foot passengers on the same quay, often several ships in quick succession. How early you need to be there depends on the operator:
- Blue Star Ferries, Hellenic Seaways and Maistros: at least one hour before departure, on foot or with a vehicle.
- SeaJets, Golden Star Ferries and Cyclades Fast Ferries: foot passengers 30 minutes, vehicles one hour before departure.
Keep your boarding document ready and follow the staff's directions on the quay - lanes and waiting areas shift with each arrival. At night the port keeps operating; plan your transfer to match the actual departure time.
Facilities at the port
The port has the practical basics: ATM, taxis, public transport, toilets, catering, Wi-Fi, parking, first aid and facilities for travellers with reduced mobility. It is enough for the wait before boarding, but Athinios is a working port rather than a destination - most travellers head up to Fira as soon as the transfer question is settled. Which ferries serve the port on your date is in the timetable; the main corridor is described on the Athens to Santorini route page.
FAQ Athinios
Frequently asked questions
Questions about arriving and departing at Athinios.
What port name is on my ticket? +
Usually Thira - the island's official name, which booking systems use for the port as well. Regardless of the name shown, all regular ferries use Athinios. If your ticket says Thira, Santorini or Athinios, it is the same arrival.
Do ferries leave from Fira? +
No. The Old Port in Fira Bay below the capital serves cruise tenders and excursion boats. All scheduled passenger ferries - conventional and high-speed - use Athinios further south along the west coast.
Is the port open all day? +
Yes - Athinios operates 24 hours, and night departures and early-morning arrivals are part of normal service, especially on the Piraeus corridor. Plan your transfer for the actual arrival time, not office hours.
Where can I check my sailing? +
In the live timetable - pick your date and route to see the departures that actually run, with operator and duration.
Check your sailing
See which ferries serve Athinios on your travel date, then open the route that fits.