Sitia to Athinios
Sitia to Santorini ferry
Check which days the Sitia sailing runs and open a booking for Athinios
- Blue Star Chios, about two sailings a week, 6 h 15 to 8 h
- Conventional ship with cabins and vehicle deck, via Heraklion
- Departure from Sitia harbour, arrival at Athinios
Table of Contents
The crossing at a glance
Sitia to Santorini is a Blue Star Ferries leg: Blue Star Chios calls at Sitia on its long itinerary between the Dodecanese, Crete and the Cyclades about twice a week in September and October and reaches Santorini in 6 h 15 to 8 hours, with a stop at Heraklion on the way. It is the only sailing from eastern Crete and a conventional ship with cabins and garage.
Getting to the port in Sitia
The ship berths at Sitia harbour on the town's seafront; there is no dedicated terminal building. Blue Star's agency Sitian Holidays has a town office on Vitsentzou Kornarou street and a port office for ticket collection. Sitia airport is a few kilometres east, and the coast road from Agios Nikolaos ends at the harbour.
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, kennels and pet cabins. For a six-to-eight-hour leg a cabin is the comfortable option; on some dates the ship runs the Crete - Santorini stretch in the early morning hours. Luggage up to 50 kg per person is free.
Vehicles, bicycles and pets
Blue Star Chios takes 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 can be booked for the longer legs.
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.
Sitia - Santorini
Eastern Crete to Santorini on the Blue Star ship
Sitia - Santorini is served by Blue Star Ferries alone: Blue Star Chios calls at Sitia on its Dodecanese - Crete - Cyclades itinerary about twice a week in September and October, and reaches Santorini in 6 h 15 to 8 hours with a stop at Heraklion on the way. It is a conventional ship with cabins, airline seats and a full garage - the long, steady option from eastern Crete.
Sailing days are fixed and the times shift with the itinerary, so build the trip around the departure in the schedule below.
- Departure
- Sitia harbour, eastern Crete
- Operator
- Blue Star Ferries (Blue Star Chios)
- Crossing
- 6 h 15 - 8 h
- From-price
- €18
Next departures
FAQ Sitia - Santorini
Frequently asked questions
Questions about the Sitia - Santorini crossing.
How long is the ferry from Sitia to Santorini? +
6 h 15 to 8 hours on Blue Star Chios, which calls at Heraklion on the way; the exact time depends on the day's itinerary. The ship sails about twice a week in September and October.
Where do I board in Sitia? +
At Sitia harbour on the town's seafront; there is no separate terminal building, and Blue Star's local agency (Sitian Holidays) has an office in town and at the port. Be at the embarkation area at least one hour before departure.
Can I take a car or camper from Sitia? +
Yes - Blue Star Chios has a 430-lane-metre garage and takes cars, campers and motorbikes. Drivers load and unload themselves; electric cars board with the battery at 40 % or less.
Should I book a cabin? +
For a sailing of six to eight hours, partly at night on some dates, a cabin or airline seat is worth it; the ship has 252 berths and pet cabins. Seat and cabin types are chosen in the booking step.