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
Figures from the Municipal Port Fund of Thira, the official port authority. Checked: August 2026.
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.
| Athinios | Fira Bay (Old Port) | |
|---|---|---|
| Role | Main passenger and commercial port | Port zone below Fira, cruise and excursion context |
| Scheduled ferries | All regular ferries | None |
| Typical traffic | Conventional ferries and high-speed craft | Cruise tenders and excursion boats |
| Location | West coast, 8 km from Fira | Directly below Fira |
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: the port authority lists daily, year-round service to Piraeus plus connections across the Cyclades, to Crete and to the Dodecanese. The port operates around the clock.
Athinios or the Old Port?
The confusion is built into the landscape: Santorini has several port zones, and two of them receive visitors. Athinios is where every scheduled ferry docks. The Old Port in Fira Bay, directly below the capital, is the cruise and excursion context - tenders from cruise ships and local boats. If you are travelling by regular ferry, no sailing of yours will ever use the Old Port; head for Athinios, whatever a map's "Santorini port" label suggests.
Getting between Athinios and Fira
The port authority lists taxis and public transport among the port's facilities, and both options meet arriving ferries at the quay; many hotels also arrange transfers. 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. For departures the same applies in reverse: be on the road early rather than watching the ferry from the hairpins.
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 in Fira or take a taxi or arranged transfer. 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. Arrive with the margin your operator names in the booking confirmation, 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 authority lists 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 - the port authority lists Athinios as operating 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. The booking step of the route confirms price and availability.
Check your sailing
See which ferries serve Athinios on your travel date, then open the route that fits.