How to Use the Ferry System in Santorini

May 2, 2023 NavigatorNick
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The Ferry system in Greece is the most extensive network in the world and is very efficient and cost-effective.

Ferries service over 200 islands and numerous Mainland destinations too and can enable you to explore Greece at a relaxed and fun pace. Many ferries are huge and are like cruise ships enabling you to embark on overnight journeys ( and beyond) at a fraction of the cost of a Cruise ship while others are fast and speedy. There are also small water taxis on many of the islands too.

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Traveling by ferry from Athens to Santorini is one of the most comfortable and affordable ways to reach the island. There are frequent ferry crossings to Santorini from 2 ports in Athens all year round, and you can choose to travel with a standard or high-speed vessel.

What is the Main Port in Santorini?

The main port of Santorini, Athinios, is located on the island’s southwest side. Athinios is a relatively small port so it can get quite crowded, particularly in July and August. Therefore, make sure that you book your FerryHopper tickets to/from the port of Santorini in advance.

Athinios Port

 

At Athinios port you will find car rentals, grocery stores, cafés, and a few tavernes. The port of Fira exclusively serves cruise ships, so make sure you don’t end up on a cruise on your way back to Athens unless that’s your plan!

 

Island hopping from Santorini

 

The port of Athinios in Santorini serves as a great starting point for island hopping in the Cyclades, as well as other islands in the Aegean Sea, such as Crete and the Dodecanese. Here you can find more information about some of the most popular ferry connections from Santorini:

  • Santorini – Mykonos ferry: the ferry route from Santorini to Mykonos includes 4 daily crossings of about 2 hours, operated by Minoan Lines, Seajets, Golden Star Ferries and Blue Star Ferries.
  • Santorini – Ios ferry: there are more than 14 weekly connections from Santorini to Ios. The ferry duration ranges from approximately 35 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the type of vessel.
  • Santorini – Amorgos ferry: there are 1-2 daily ferry crossings from Santorini to Amorgos in the summer months. The trip takes less than 1.5 hours with a high-speed ferry. The route is usually operated by 2 ferry companies: Seajets and Small Cyclades Lines.
  • Santorini – Paros ferry: the Santorini – Paros ferry route has up to 4 ferry crossings per day lasting from 2 hours to 4 hours. The ferry companies that mainly operate on this route are Seajets, Blue Star Ferries, Minoan Lines, and Golden Star Ferries.
Crowds gather at Athinios Port in Santorini, Greece

On Ferryhopper’s Map of ferries, you can find all Santorini ferry routes to easily plan your trip in the Aegean Sea and book ferry tickets! Explore all ferry schedules for the Greek islands to plan your holiday in Santorini.

 

Santorini is frequently connected by ferry with the mainland throughout the year. As one of the most popular holiday destinations in the country, there are regular Santorini ferries from 2 ports in Athens: Piraeus and Rafina.

 

  • Piraeus – Santorini: from Piraeus to Santorini, ferries are available throughout the year, with up to 6 daily crossings in the summer. The trip duration is 4 hours with a high-speed vessel, which is the best way to travel to Santorini from Athens by ferry.
  • Rafina – Santorini: you can catch a ferry from Rafina to Santorini mostly during the summer, with 1-2 daily crossings. It takes approximately 5.5 hours to reach the island with a high-speed ferry.

 

Traveler Tip: You can also get to Santorini from the port of Heraklion in Crete.

Main Ferry Companies

• Blue Star Ferries: Known for their reliability and comfort, Blue Star Ferries offers frequent connections between the mainland and islands such as Crete, Rhodes, and the Cyclades.

 

• SeaJets: Specializing in high-speed vessels, SeaJets provides quick connections between popular island destinations in the Cyclades, Crete, and the Saronic Gulf.


• Hellenic Seaways: Operating both high-speed catamarans and conventional ferries, Hellenic Seaways covers numerous routes throughout the Aegean and Saronic Gulf.

 

• ANEK Lines: Focusing primarily on routes between the mainland and Crete, ANEK Lines also serves several other island destinations.


• Minoan Lines: Known for their luxurious amenities, Minoan Lines operates routes between the mainland and Crete, as well as international routes to Italy.

How to Book Your Ferry Tickets

Your ferry travel companion

Use our booking engine of ferries to find all direct and indirect ferry routes for the islands of Greece, Spain, Italy & Turkey, compare ferry companies & prices, and book cheap ferry tickets with no hidden fees in one go!

Why book your ferry tickets with Ferryhopper?

Craving for a trip by ferry in Greece, Italy, Spain, Turkey or Morocco? With Ferryhopper, it’s easier than ever!

Find updated ferry schedules and timetables for all ferries in the Mediterranean. Compare companies and ferry ticket prices to choose the route that suits you the most and book cheap ferry tickets online with no extra fees. And that’s just for starters! With the Ferryhopper App, you can get your e-ticket, check in for your trip online and track your ferry live on the map. Plus, you get free customer support for all your travel needs to sail with confidence!

Ready for island hopping?

Plan your island-hopping tour in Greece, Spain, Italy, and other destinations in the Mediterranean easily on Ferryhopper.

Want to explore the Greek islands, the Canaries and the Balearics, the Amalfi coast or other top Italian destinations? Hop your way through Mykonos, Santorini and Crete or Tenerife and Gran Canaria, Ibiza, and Mallorca, Ischia and Procida with confidence!

Find all ferry connections, browse available schedules and timetables, compare ferry companies and ticket prices, and manage all your island-hopping trips in a single booking!

 

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Large crowd at the Athinios port of Santorini

The crowded port of Athinios in Santorini

Conditions at the port of Santorini

The Athinios port is small and gets quite crowded from June to August. Keep in mind that the high temperature combined with the port’s overcrowding may be uncomfortable for travelers. So, be sure to follow our tips to make the best of your trips.

Should I book my ferry tickets from Santorini ferry port in advance?

I definitely suggest that you book your ferry tickets in advance for your trips from the ferry port of Santorini! Firstly, ferry tickets sell out fast and might have limited availability. Secondly, because of the traffic at the port of Santorini, local travel agencies are almost always full of people trying to buy last-minute tickets.

Tickets from Santorini port > 

How early should I be at Port of Santorini to catch my ferry?

Santorini’s port gets rather crowded in summer. For this reason, we encourage you to be at Thira port at least 1 hour before the departure of your ferry. There are 2 mini markets and some coffee shops nearby so that you can grab a bite and admire the view while waiting for your ferry.

When you arrive at the port, go directly to the ticket collection point indicated by Ferryhopper and get your tickets. Don’t leave this for the last minute, since the collection point is always crowded before departures. Ιn case you are traveling with a ferry company that supports e-ticket services, all you need to do is present the QR code!

Traveler Tip: if you’re traveling with a vehicle, make sure to arrive at the port as early as possible, even if it means waiting a little while longer for your ferry.

Santorini Port useful numbers

Here you can find all useful contact information for the port of Santorini:

  • Municipal Port Fund of Santorini (Thira): +3022860 28362
  • Security Control Center for Port Facilities: +302286021892 
  • Santorini Port Authority of Santorini: +302286022239
  • Athinios Port Authority: +302286025015
  • Piraeus Port Authority (Athens): +302104226000

Santorini port location, address, and map

“Where is the ferry port in Santorini?” Ferryhopper is here to help and show you all the available information on the Athinios port. The main port of Santorini is located in the center of the island, on the east coast. Near the port, you can find all sorts of services, such as cafes, banks, car rentals and a parking lot. Below, you can find the distance between Athinios and some of the most popular settlements in Santorini:

  • The distance from Oia is 20km (11.8 miles).
  • The distance from Fira, the capital (Thira), is 7.5km (5.6 miles).
  • The distance from Kamari is 9.5km (5.9 miles).
  • The distance from Akrotiri is 9km (5.6 miles).

How do I get from Santorini port to Fira?

Fira is the main settlement of Santorini and is located 7.5km north of Athinios, near the old port of Santorini. Reaching Fira from the port is easy and convenient, as you can get there by car, bus or taxi. You can find more information about transfer fees and options in the section below. 

How to get to Santorini port

The main way to get to the Santorini harbor is, well, by ferry! Check our fare search engine and book cheap ferry tickets online to Athinios port in Santorini.

What if you’re already on the island? Discover below how to get to Santorini’s ferry port if you are already on the island.

How do I get from Fira (Santorini town) to Santorini port

Fira is also referred to as Santorini Town. If you want to avoid crowds and delays, we recommend taking a taxi from Fira to the port. In this case, the best option is to use the pre-booked port transfer service that is offered in partnership with Welcome Pickups.

Through this service, you get:

  • same price as a regular taxi
  • trained & English-speaking personal driver
  • punctuality & ferry monitoring
  • excellent 24/7 customer support by Welcome Pickups

If you prefer public transport, Athinios port in Santorini is connected with Fira by bus. The schedule of the local bus lines is compatible with the departures and the arrivals of ferries at the port. You can check the available bus itineraries at the main square of Fira and buy tickets directly from the driver. The tickets usually cost less than €3.

Another option is to bring along your vehicle to Santorini and explore every corner of the island at your own pace. On Ferryhopper, you can compare ticket prices and companies, and select the best itinerary to bring along your vehicle.

How do I get from Oia to Santorini port?

The easiest way to reach the town of Oia from the Athinios port in Santorini is by car or by pre-booking your transfer with Welcome Pickups. You can also take a taxi from the port, which might be challenging due to low availability in summer.

Regarding public transport, unfortunately, there are no direct bus routes from the Santorini port to Oia. There is a connection through Fira, however. The Fira – Oia bus trip is the most popular one on the island and securing a bus seat can be tricky, especially if you’re carrying luggage. Tickets for this route cost about €2 and the duration of the journey is less than 30 min.

Tip: if you’re worried about running late, you can now check where your ferry is live on the Ferryhopper App. See how to track your ferry in Greece in real-time through our app.

How far is Oia from Santorini port?

Oia is located in the northern part of the island and is about 20km from Thira port of Santorini. You can get to Oia from Athinios by car in 30 min. Alternatively, you can also reach Oia by bus. 

Book your Port Transfer now >

Blue Star Ferries ship in Athinios, Santorini

A Blue Star Ferries vessel departing from Athinios

Ferry routes from and to the port of Santorini

Santorini is connected with numerous ports of Cyclades, as well as the main ports of Athens. The most famous ferry itineraries from and to Santorini Port are:

Craving a trip? Have a look at the The Santorini Travel Guide!

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