Ferries Santorini

All ferry companies operating routes to and from Santorini offer discounts for specific categories of tickets, which may vary by company and type of vessel.

When you book your tickets on Ferryhopper, the discounts available for your chosen route will be shown automatically. You only have to select the category that applies to you, and the discount will be applied to your ticket price.

The discounted ticket categories for ferry trips to Santorini include:

Student Tickets

Students are eligible for discounts of up to 50%. Upon boarding, a valid ID from a Greek public university or an ISIC (International Student Identity Card) must be shown.

Children’s Tickets

Most ferry companies offer special discounts for children travelling on the ferry routes to Santorini. More specifically:

• Infants (up to 2 years): usually travel free of charge.
• Children (3-12 years): a 50% discount is usually offered. 

Large Family Tickets

Most ferry companies offer up to 50% discounts on passenger tickets for large families with 3 or more children. Discounts may also apply to car and motorcycle tickets. Presentation of the Large Family Card is required upon boarding.

Disabled Persons and Companions Tickets

Most ferry companies offer a 50% discount for disabled passengers and their companions. Proof of disability or other relevant documents is required during boarding. Furthermore, the crew can offer assistance during embarking and disembarking, but prior notice should be given to the ferry company.

There are two key factors to consider before booking your ferry tickets to Santorini. First, if you already know your travel dates, we suggest you book your tickets as soon as possible. Santorini is one of the world’s most popular travel destinations, and it would be best to avoid any last-minute “surprises”, such as not finding any available tickets, routes or prices that suit your dates or travel budget. 

The second factor (which requires that you have a flexible travel schedule) is the question of when is the best time to visit Santorini:

• Summer months: June, July and August are the busiest periods on the island, with record numbers of tourists every year. If you wish to experience Santorini in all its summer glory, booking your ferry tickets 2-3 months in advance is best.
• May, September, and October: Ii you want to avoid large crowds and secure cheaper prices, opt for a trip during these months. Still, that does not mean you should book your tickets at the last minute because the weather is still good during those months, and other travellers may have the same idea. 
• Orthodox Easter: Easter in Santorini is an excellent opportunity to discover the unique religious customs of the island and the enchanting effect of spring on its rocky terrain. Many Greeks choose the island as their holiday destination, so booking your tickets on time is strongly suggested.

Santorini, whose beauty as we know it today was born from the awakening of a volcano thousands of years ago, still awakes all its visitors’ senses. The famous caldera and the world-renowned sunset view are a sight for sore eyes. The local wine and other traditional products give shocks of pleasure to one’s palate. The sound of the waves hitting its wild beaches compliments the act of touching the open-air sculptures created by the encounter of salt and volcanic rock. 

Whether you just want to relax and take it all in or you want to explore every inch of the island via the numerous available activities, including hiking trails and archaeological sights, Santorini truly has something for everybody.

Breathtaking hike on Santorini

Santorini’s beauty is enchanting, but the island has its challenges due to its immense popularity. As ferry routes to Santorini can be as busy as a stroll around the Caldera, especially during the summer months, here are some tips to make your trip easier:

• If you travel with your vehicle and/or have a deck seat, make sure you’re at the port at least 1 hour before your ferry's departure.
• During peak tourist months, expect long lines for buses to transfer you to settlements like Fira or Oia if you are not travelling with a vehicle. Don’t forget to pack a hat, sunglasses, an ice-cold bottle of water, and your patience!
• If you want immediate access to the beach, consider staying in Kamari or Perissa rather than Oia or Fira.
• For the best sunset experience, skip Oia’s Castle and the crowds and try the Lighthouse of Akrotiri or any convenient spot along the route from Fira to Firostefani and Imerovigli.
• Santorini is an ideal island-hopping tour stop, with its port connecting to many popular destinations. For example, you can catch a ferry from Santorini to Mykonos or another Cycladic island or travel from Santorini to Heraklion and explore Crete’s countless attractions.

Ferry companies with routes to and from Santorini offer diverse services that will make your trip more comfortable, but these can differ, especially between conventional and high-speed boats.

Conventional VS high-speed boats

Conventional ferries to and from Santorini offer the following ticket categories:

• Seat tickets (deck/lounge or numbered seats)
• Whole cabin tickets
• Bed in a shared cabin
• Pet-friendly cabin (available on Blue Star Ferries)

On board a conventional ferry, you may also find a restaurant and stores for some last-minute shopping.

On high-speed ferries, cabins are not an option, but you can choose between different types of numbered seats:

• Simple
• Business
• VIP

Services and amenities that you can find both on conventional and high-speed ferries to and from Santorini include:

• Bars with snacks and refreshments
• Accessibility infrastructure for people with disabilities (PWD), including elevators and escalators
• Wi-Fi for Internet access (usually at an additional cost)

Pets are allowed on all ships and travel free of charge on the deck or in designated pet spots.

Lastly, garages for private vehicle transportation are available on all conventional but not on all high-speed ferries, which may either not have a garage or have garages with limited capacity.

Santorini has 2 ports, although only one of them will welcome you to the island when you travel aboard a passenger boat. This is Athinios Port, the central commercial and passenger port of Santorini, serving all ferry routes to and from the island. It is located on the island's southwest side, about 10 km from Fira, the island's capital.

The second is the Old Port, which is located below the town of Fira and serves small tourist boats and cruise ships from around the world.

Ferry route map

Below, you can see all active ferry connections to Santorini, as well as starting prices for each route. Use our interactive Map of ferries to visualize your trip and easily plan an island-hopping adventure.