Ferry from Santorini to Athens
Tickets, Prices & Schedules
You can easily travel by ferry from the Cycladic island of Santorini to the ports of Athens year-round, with up to 10 daily crossings during the high season. Ferries from the port of Athinios in Santorini generally arrive in Piraeus, however during the summer you can also travel to the port of Rafina.
The journey can take as little as 5 hours and ticket prices usually start from around €45. Blue Star Ferries, Fast Ferries, Golden Star Ferries, Saos Ferries, Seajets and Zante Ferries operate the ferry route with both conventional and high-speed ferries. Find up-to-date info, compare timetables, companies and prices, and book your ferry tickets on Ferryhopper without hidden fees.
Discounts
Take advantage of the available discounts and travel by ferry from Santorini to Athens with lower-cost ferry tickets. The ferry companies offer discounts of up to 50% to the following passenger categories:
- Children from 5 to 10 years old
- Permanent residents of islands (holders of Unique Islander Number)
- Students of Greek Public Universities
- People with disabilities and their accompanying persons
Note: infants and children up to 4 years travel for free. However, keep in mind that available discounts may vary depending on the company you’re traveling with.
On-board services and amenities
Ferries traveling from Milos to the ports of Athens are both conventional and high-speed, offering travelers flexibility and comfort.
Onboard, you can typically expect to find air-conditioned lounges, spacious open decks and snack bars, as well as shops for a pleasant journey. Most ferries also feature a Wi-Fi hotspot, allowing you to stay connected during your journey.
Cabins and accommodation
High-speed ferries do not have cabins, but they have numbered seats. There are cabins and numbered seats on standard ferries for a more comfortable trip.>
You can book a cabin on the conventional ferries traveling from Santorini to Athens, for 1-4 passengers. There are typically standard interior cabins and exterior cabins with a window. Cabin prices usually start at around €92 each. Alternatively, you can book a numbered airplane style seat for a more comfortable journey.
On high-speed ferries there are no cabins available, only numbered seats, However, for a more relaxed ride, you can usually also book a VIP seat or a place in the business lounge.
Luggage
The ferry companies in Greece are usually quite flexible regarding luggage size and weight. You can store your bags and suitcases at the designated luggage area onboard the ferry to Athens from Santorini.
Each ferry company has its own baggage allowance policy. We recommend that you don’t carry more than 50 kg of luggage to avoid delays due to restricted space in the luggage area.
Good to know: bear in mind that there is no check-in procedure for luggage items.
Traveling with pets
You can travel with your pet on the ferry to Athens from Santorini, depending on the company and type of vessel you’ve chosen. Make sure to carry along the necessary certificates, tickets and any pet supplies you may need for your trip.
Useful tips for your ferry trip to Athens from Santorini
Here are some useful tips for your ferry trip from Santorini to Athens:
- The port of Athinios in Santorini can get quite busy in the summer, so we recommend getting there at least 1 hour before your departure, especially if traveling with a car.
- The sea can get a bit choppy, so if you are prone to seasickness, consider taking motion sickness medication before your ferry trip. As always, you can discuss your options with your pharmacist or doctor.
- The air-conditioned lounges of Greek ferries can get a bit chilly, even during the summer, so bring a long a light jacket or sweater for a more comfortable journey.
- Athens is connected by ferry to more islands in the Saronic Gulf such as Agistri, Poros and Hydra. Check your island-hopping options and plan your itinerary on Ferryhopper.
Where to take the ferry from Santorini to Athens
You can catch the ferry to Athens from the port of Athinios in Santorini. It is located on the western coast of Santorini, 8 km from Fira and 20 km from the village of Oia. You can get to the port by bus, taxi or car.
Where does the ferry arrive in Athens?
Ferries traveling from Santorini to Athens dock either at the port of Piraeus or the port of Rafina:
- Piraeus, the largest port in Greece, is approximately 15 km south of the Greek capital and 45 km from Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos. You can easily get to downtown Athens and the airport by car, taxi, as well as public transport, including metro, train, bus, and suburban railway.
- The port of Rafina is located approximately 33 km east of the city center of Athens and 26 km from the airport. You can travel from the port of Rafina to downtown Athens and the airport by car, taxi, and intercity bus (KTEL).
How long is the ferry ride from Santorini to Athens (all ports)?
The duration of the Santorini - Athens (all ports) ferry trip normally ranges from 5h to 15h 45m.
Santorini - Athens (all ports) ferry companies
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FAQs
Yes, you can travel with a vehicle, as most ferries traveling from Santorini to Athens have a car deck. Prices usually start at around €85 for transporting a car and €40 for a motorbike.
Yes, you can travel with a fast ferry from Santorini to Athens as many companies run the route throughout the year. The duration of the trip with the high-speed ferry to Athens takes about 5 hr connecting the island of Santorini with the port of Piraeus.
The distance between the port of Athinios in Santorini and Athens depends on your destination port:
- Santorini-Piraeus: 127 nautical miles (approximately 236 km)
- Santorini-Rafina: 120 nautical miles (approximately 220 km)
When booking your Santorini - Athens trip on Ferryhopper, you can easily check in online, get your tickets on your phone, and board the ferry directly with your e-ticket without collecting any paper tickets at the port.
Yes, during the summer there are conventional ferries that leave from Santorini at around 19:30 and arrive in Piraeus the next day at 05:00. The rest of the year, ferries occasionally depart for Athens at about 21:00 and 23:30 in the evening.
Find detailed answers to all your questions about ferry ticket changes, cancellations and refunds.
Remember that you can also use Ferryhopper's online booking modification service, available with certain ferry companies.