Ferries from Athens to Santorini (and return)

The Santorini to Athens schedule is available at the bottom of the article.

For the majority of budget travelers, the ferries are the best way to travel between Athens and any island, at an affordable price (economy class ticket). If you have enough time on your hands and low the company of other fellow travelers, a ferry is the best way to get from Athens to Santorini .

>>read more about Getting from Athens to Santorini: a flight or a ferry ride away?

Port of Piraeus

The Port of Piraeus (or Pireas*) is large and can be a little confusing, especially without a map (download and print a map from the Ministry of Mercantile Marine page ). Make sure to allow plenty of time to find the gate and the ferry.

All ferries to Santorini (Eastern Cyclades) depart from Port Gate Ε7. This gate is both for passengers and vehicles.

>>more information on Getting from Athens to Piraeus

Santorini or Thira?

When you look up the ferries between two cities, you are actually looking for ferries between two ports. While for the majority of islands, you’ll find the port name exactly the same of the island’s name, you are in for a surprise when you look for Santorini.

In the on-line booking systems and on official schedules, look for Thira (Santorini). The port code is ATI.

How long does it take to get from Athens to Santorini?

The journey between the Athens (Piraeus) and Santorini (Thira) is between 5 and 8 hours, depending on the type of ferry you are taking.

Is there a high speed ferry between Athens and Santorini?

Yes, during the summer season. The Flying Dolphins (high speed ferries) also connect Santorini to other islands, such Mykonos, Crete, Rhodes and Paros.

How much does it cost to get from Athens to Santorini by ferry?

The price depends on the type of ferry and class you choose. .

On a high speed ferry operated by Sea Jets, expect to pay €56.10 (per person, one way). On the slow ferry operated by Blue Star Ferries, the single fare is €37.50 (if you don’t travel with a car) for an economy seat. Airplane type of seats cost €42 one way , while a business class seat is €52.50.

How many ferries per day depart from Athens to Santorini during the low season?

In 2012, the following ferries connect Athens to Santorini during the low season:

• Daily except on Tue, 7:00 a.m., May 5 to June 14
• Tue (May 15,22, 29), 7 a.m.
• Daily, 7:25 a.m., until Jun 17
• Mon, 2 p.m., Apr 23 to May 28
• Fri, 5 p.m, Apr 27 to May 25
• Sat, 7:30 p.m., Apr 21 to June 9
• Fri, 6 p.m., Apr 20 to May 25
• Tue, Thu, Sun, 7 p.m, until May 10

How many ferries per day depart from Athens to Santorini during the high season?

The following ferries link the two ports only during the high season 2012 (June to Sept/Oct):

• Mon, Wed, Fri, 7 a.m., June 15 to Sept 17
• Thu, Sat, Sun, 7 a.m., June 16 to Sept 16
• Tue (Jul 3, 17, 24, 31), 7 a.m.
• Daily, 7 a.m., June 15 to Sept 9
• Daily, 7:25 a.m., June 18 to Sept 9
• Daily except on Wed, 7:30 a.m., June 15 to Sept 9
• Daily except on Wed, 4:15 p.m., June 15 to Sept 9

Are there any overnight journeys between Athens and Santorini?

Yes, there are.

Where can I buy tickets from?

Tickets can be bought directly from here as early as two months prior to departure. Your travel agent (or any travel agency) can book ferry tickets for you as well but the same restrictions apply. However, your local travel agent will have to buy via a Greek Travel Agent so you are better off booking directly from a reliable source yourself.

You can always buy the tickets directly from the Port of Piraeus in Athens. If you are looking for an economy class ticket you don’t need to worry about booking in advance – except during the weekends in the middle of the high season.

The ticketing office is located at the Port Gate Ε1.

Does everyone charge the same prices?

If you buy directly from the port the price might be a little lower than if you buy online. But the difference is not significant.

How about the ferries between Santorini and Athens?

As for getting back from Santorini to Athens (Piraeus), during the high season 2012 there are the following connections:

• Daily, 11:40 a.m., June 15 to Sept 9
• Tue, Jul 31, 11:45 a.m.
• Tue, Jul 17, 2:45 p.m.
• Daily, 5:30 p.m., June 18 to Sept 9
• Thu, Sat, Sun, 6 p.m., June 16 to Sept 16
• Tue, 6 p.m., Jul 3 to Jul 10
• Tue Jul 24, 6 p.m.
• Mon, Wed, Fri, 6:15 p.m., Jul 2 to Sept 3
• Daily, except on Wed, 9 p.m., June 15 to Sept 9

During the low season 2012, the following connections are available between Santorini and Athens (Piraeus):

• Tue, Thu, Sat, 2 a.m., until May 12
• Sun, 7 a.m., Apr 22 to June 10
• Tue, May 15, 29, 11:45 a.m.
• Daily , 3:30 p.m., until June 17
• Daily except on Tue, 5 p.m., May 9 to Jun 14
• Tue, May 22, 5 p.m.
• Sun, 5 p.m., Apr 29 to May 27
• Sun, 8:30 p.m., Apr 22 to May 27
• Thu, 11:30 p.m., Apr 26 to May 31

Important note:

The ferry schedules available on line are not very accurate or reliable. This happens because ferry companies submit their schedule to the Ministry of Merchant Marine weekly so the info you see today online might not be accurate next month.

The weekly ferry schedule comes out each Friday in the Athens News (newspaper in English) so make sure to get your hands on a copy as soon as you get to Athens.

Read more about:

>>Ferries in Greece
>>Ferries from Athens: How to deal with the Port of Piraeus
>>Ferries from Athens to Mykonos
>>Ferries from Rafina to Mykonos
>>Ferries from Athens to Rhodes
>>Ferries from Athens to Crete
>>Ferries from Athens to Hydra
>>Ferries from Athens to Aegina
>>Ferries from Athens to Patmos
>>Ferries from Athens to Karpathos
>>Ferries from Mykonos to Syros
>>Ferries from Santorini to Crete
>> Ferries from Santorini to Mykonos
>> Ferries from Santorini to Naxos
>> Ferries from Alonissos to Skopelos
>> Ferries from Corfu to Patras
>> Ferries from Rhodes to Kos
>>Ferries to and from Santorini
>> Ferries from Athens to Paros
>> Ferries from Mykonos to Crete
>> Ferries from Santorini to Karpathos
>>Ferries from Thessaloniki to Lesvos
>> Ferries to and from Mykonos
>> Ferries from Mykonos to Paros (and return)
>> Ferries from Crete to Gavdos
>> Ferries from Santorini to Rhodes
>> Ferries from Santorini to Paros
>> Ferries from Mykonos to Ios
>> Ferries from Mykonos to Tinos
>> Ferries from Thessaloniki to Rhodes
>> Ferries from Athens to Naxos
>> Ferries from Athens to Thessaloniki
>> Ferries from Santorini to Syros
>> Ferries from Kavala to Thassos
>> Ferries from Alonissos to Skiathos
>> Ferries from Athens to Lesvos (Lesbos)
>> Ferries from Thessaloniki to Kos
>> Ferries from Thessaloniki to Chios

Note:
* Pireas and Piraeus are exactly the same place, but you can find them spelled in both ways. All road signs though point to Pireas.
**The article was first published in 2009; latest schedule and price update was made as of April 2012.