Ferry companies traveling from Athens to Santorini: guide

Outside it’s dark and cold, but all you can think about is long days at the beach, pink sunsets and cocktails. When the nostalgia kicks in, you know what you gotta do: start planning your 2023 vacation in Santorini!

On our complete Athens - Santorini guide you can find out all about ferry companies traveling to the volcanic island. Compare fares, schedules, and vessel amenities, and book ferry tickets online with the operator that suits you best!

• Companies serving the Athens - Santorini route
• Cheapest ferry tickets
• Fastest ferries
• Ferry amenities
• Cabins and seats
• Pet travel
• Ferry schedules
• Port of departure in Athens

Santorini: the champion of burning sunsets and sea views

Athens - Santorini ferry companies

There are 7 ferry companies operating on the Athens - Santorini ferry route:

• Blue Star Ferries: it serves routes to Santorini all year round, with standard ferries.
• Seajets: it operates on the Athens - Santorini ferry route from April to October, mostly with high-speed vessels.
• Fast Ferries: it usually operates on the Athens - Santorini connection all year round with a conventional ferry.
• Golden Star Ferries: it connects Athens and Santorini from early June to mid-September with a high-speed ferry.
• Minoan Lines: it operates on Athens - Santorini crossings from June to early October with a high-speed vessel.
• Zante Ferries: the company normally travels to Santorini all year round, with a conventional ferry.
• Aegean Pelagos: it usually serves year-round Athens - Santorini crossings, with a standard ferry.

Note 1: the companies Zante Ferries and Aegeon Pelagos have not yet announced their Piraeus (Athens) - Santorini ferry schedules for summer 2023.

Note 2: the company Sea Speed Ferries also used to travel between Athens and Santorini in the past, but will not continue its operations in 2023.

Which company has the cheapest ferry tickets?

The ferry company Aegeon Pelagos offers the cheapest tickets for the Athens (Piraeus) - Santorini ferry connection, with a single ticket starting at about €40. However, the company serves only a few crossings to the island per month. An alternative to Aegeon Pelagos, is Zante Ferries with Santorini tickets from around €48, but also not not many crossings.

If you are looking for a company that offers cheap tickets and regular crossings to Santorini, we suggest booking with Blue Star Ferries. It’s Piraeus - Santorini ferry tickets start at about €45.50.

High-speed ferry tickets to Santorini usually range between €65-90.

Which ferry company traveling to Santorini is the fastest?

The fastest ferry ride to Santorini from Athens is offered by Seajets. The company’s fastest ferry, Worldchampion Jet, reaches Santorini from Piraeus in just 4 hours 45 minutes. The ferry normally runs to the island daily from April to October.

Tip: check where you can travel in the Cyclades with the extra-fast Worldchampion Jet.

If you wish to get to Santorini from Athens in less than 7 hours, there are more vessel options, such as:

• the Seajets Speedrunner Jet, arriving in around 5 hours
• the Golden Star Ferries Superexpress, arriving in about 6 hours 10 minutes
• the Fast Ferries Thunder, arriving in about 6 hours 45 minutes

The “Worldchampion Jet”, the fastest ferry to Santorini

Amenities on Athens - Santorini ferries

All Athens - Santorini ferries have several amenities that can make your trip comfortable and pleasant, such as air-conditioned indoor lounges, open-deck seats, cafés, restaurants and kiosks with beverages and snacks, and shops. Moreover, all 7 companies have car decks, so you can transfer your vehicle.

Note: all 7 companies are equipped to accommodate people with disabilities and assist them throughout the ferry trip.

Can I book a cabin on Athens - Santorini ferries?

You can book a cabin only with companies that serve the Athens - Santorini route with large conventional ferries, that need more than 7 hours to get to the island:

• Blue Star Ferries, on the Blue Star Delos and the Blue Star Patmos vessels
• Zante Ferries, on the Dionisios Solomos vessel
• Aegeon Pelagos, on the F/B Prevelis vessel

However, you can enjoy maximum comfort on your trip even without a cabin. You can book airplane-type seats instead. In fact, if you want some extra privacy and relaxation, you can even book a business-class or VIP seat with all ferry companies. 

Cozy cabin with a sea view on the “Blue Star Delos”

Can I travel from Athens to Santorini with my pet?

You can travel with your 4-legged friend on all Athens - Santorini ferries, which have special pet accommodation infrastructure, such as kennels and on-deck pet areas. However, pets are not allowed in indoor areas, and should wear a muzzle and a leash when walking on the open deck, always accompanied by a guardian.

Blue Star Ferries and Aegeon Pelagos are the only ferry companies traveling to Santorini that have designated pet cabins.

Note: pets travel at no extra charge on Athens - Santorini ferries.

Tip: remember to carry all updated health documents and necessary supplies for your pet. Some companies might also ask you to fill out a pet transfer declaration form.

Do you love to travel with your furry friend? Explore the top Greek islands for a holiday with your dog.

The historic and spacious “F/B Prevelis” of the Aegeon Pelagos company

How late do ferries run to Santorini?

In the high season, the last ferry to Santorini from Athens is normally scheduled at 17:30 and is serviced by Blue Star Ferries. The ferry departs from the port of Piraeus and reaches the island after midnight, at around 01:45-02:45.

The first crossing to Santorini usually runs at 07:00 and is operated by the Seajets high-speed Worldchampion Jet. In general, there are up to 6 crossings a day from Athens in total: 5 crossings departing from the port of Piraeus, and 1 daily ferry from Rafina to Santorini. Most ferries run in the morning from 07:00 to 09:00.

Blue Star Ferries and Seajets normally serve up to 2 daily crossings each. The other companies usually run once daily.

Note: all ferry companies traveling from Athens to Santorini, except Aegeon Pelagos and Zante Ferries, support e-tickets. That means you don’t have to collect your tickets before boarding the ferry. You can just download them from the Ferryhopper App!

Which port is best from Athens to Santorini?

You can actually reach Santorini from 2 ports in Athens: the port of Piraeus and the port of Rafina.

Most companies traveling to Santorini depart from the port of Piraeus, the largest port in Attica, serving many routes to the Aegean islands daily. It is easy to reach by public transport (metro and train) and takes about 45 minutes starting from the city center. It’s your best option if you have already spent a few days in Athens and don’t wish to hire a car or a taxi.

The only ferry company departing from the port of Rafina to Santorini is Golden Star Ferries. Rafina is a smaller port town on the eastern coast of Attica, 33 km east of the Athens city center. This port is your best option if you're flying to Athens and heading directly to Mykonos by ferry, as it’s only 20 minutes away by car or taxi from the airport. If, however, you are using public transport, Piraeus is easier to reach from the airport.

Tip: what about the port of Santorini? Where is it on the island? Find the answer to this and all your other questions on our survival guide for Athinios Port in Santorini.

The high-speed “Thunder” riding the waves

There is an Athens - Santorini ferry for every travel budget and preference. By now, we hope that you have found yours and you are ready to cruise through the Cyclades in style and comfort! All that’s left is for you to book ferry tickets today on Ferryhopper at no extra cost!

Extra tip: what about combining your vacation in Santorini with a getaway in Mykonos? Take a look at our guide to Santorini - Mykonos ferries for 2023, to plan your trip the easiest way possible!