A ferry(tale) about getting from Athens to Santorini

It’s time for a break and what better place to spend your vacation if not Santorini? Hop aboard to find useful information about the ways to reach the island. Ready? Off we go! 

Stunning views to the Aegean Sea from the blue-domed churches of Oia in Santorini

How to get from Athens to Santorini

You’ve already picked your next destination and now you’re trying to figure out which is the best way to go! Follow us and get there easily and comfortably! You can reach Santorini from Athens by ferry or plane. 

If you’re looking for the fastest way to go, then catching a plane is a move in the flight direction! Many flights from Athens to Santorini take off daily from the Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos. The airport is located 27km from Athens city center and takes around 35-40 minutes by car, taxi or metro and 60 minutes by bus.

However, if you consider taking the sea-nic routes, relax with a book while enjoying the endless blue and sunshine, Ferryhopper brings the good news! There are at least 4 daily ferry crossings to Santorini from the port of Piraeus in Athens. 

The port of Piraeus is around 15km south of Athens city center. You can easily reach the port by car, taxi and public transport including bus, metro and suburban railway.

Should I fly or take a ferry from Athens to Santorini?

A lot of questions pop up daily in our heads! Should I stay or should I go? You luckily answered that one which brings us to the second question. Should you go from Athens to Santorini by ferry or flight? Well, it really depends on your schedule and budget!

The flight from Athens to Santorini takes about 50 minutes while the ferry trip duration ranges from 4 to 7 hours (depending on the type of ferry). On the bright side, you can catch one of the fast ferries from Athens to Santorini and enjoy the Aegean Sea from the boat's deck. 

Also, traveling by ferry is cheaper than taking a plane. Ferries between Athens and Santorini cost around 35€-56€ depending on the type of vessel (conventional or high-speed ferry). Plus, if you book your ferry tickets in advance, you can also take advantage of the early-booking offers with ticket prices of around 30€.

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Which port is more convenient, Piraeus or Rafina?

Both ports are convenient depending on your travel plans. Find below all the information and tips for the best port for your trip to Santorini:

• Piraeus is the most convenient port for you if you plan to stay in Athens before your trip to Santorini. It’s closer to the city center and easily accessible by metro, bus or taxi. Also, most ferries between Athens and Santorini depart around 07:00 with a ticket cost of 35€-60€.
• The port of Rafina is the best starting point for your journey if you plan to go to the port directly after your flight or make a stop in Mykonos. Ferries from Athens to Santorini usually depart at 07:30 and 16:00 with ticket prices starting at 56€. The Rafina - Santorini route is operated by SeaJets, Golden Star Ferries and Blue Star Ferries taking about 5 hours.

The old scenic port of Oia surrounded by cliffs in Santorini

Are there ferries from Santorini to Athens?

Yes and yes! There are actually 2 types of boats from Santorini to Athens. Depending on your schedule and budget, you can hop on a high-speed or conventional ferry.

There are usually 2 fast ferries from Santorini to Athens and 1 conventional ferry per day.

Good to know: ferry schedules to the Greek islands are usually announced a few months before the date of departure. So, if you can't find routes available on Ferryhopper, please check again 1-3 months before the day you want to travel.

Which type of ferry should I choose, conventional or high-speed?

Nothing is more fit than you gazing at the blue horizon from the ferry dock, ready to depart for your ferrytale-like vacation! You can reach the mesmerizing island of Santorini with a conventional or high-speed ferry. 

Traveling with a conventional ferry allows you to fully enjoy your ferry ride from Athens to Santorini, relax under the sun and feel the sea breeze. Also, conventional ferries can guarantee you a smooth trip in case of bad weather conditions and are usually cheaper than high-speed ferries. 

However, if you cannot wait to see the breathtaking view of the caldera, hop on a high-speed ferry to save time. It is not an easy decision to make, but it is definitely a win-win situation!

The busy port of Piraeus in Athens 

What is the fastest ferry from Athens to Santorini?

The fastest ferry to Santorini from Athens is Worldchampion Jet taking around 5 hours. The ferry route is operated by Seajets leaving the port of Piraeus at 7:00. 

Should I book my ferry tickets in advance?

Santorini is one of the most popular islands in Greece and it’s busy throughout the year. Therefore, especially if you plan to visit Santorini during the high season, we strongly recommend you book your tickets well in advance. On Ferryhopper, you can compare prices and companies and book your ferry tickets from Athens to Santorini at no extra cost!