Are you planning a trip to Santorini from your Athens holiday yet don’t know where to start? Don’t worry; I’ll tell you everything you need for a pleasant sea journey to Santorini.
This article will help you find the most convenient ferry trip to your dream destination, the majestic Santorini. Below, you can find helpful information about taking a ferry from Athens’ Piraeus to Santorini, the beautiful island, and many tips to make your journey easier!
If you’re planning an unforgettable holiday in Santorini, you should find the ideal means of transportation. While flying is fast and convenient, taking a ferry ride is the best way to travel from Athens to Santorini due to its affordability and gorgeous scenery.
Skip Ahead To My Advice Here!
Ferry Companies Operating Between Athens And Santorini
Finding the best ferry from Athens to Santorini is significant. Because most Greek ferry companies operate Piraeus to Santorini ferry routes, you’ll have an abundance of options.
Different Greece to Santorini ferry companies have distinct pros and cons; therefore, you should know what various companies offer before deciding.
Below are the most popular Greek companies operating a ferry between Athens and Santorini.
1. Blue Star Ferries
Blue Star Ferries is among the most popular companies that operate slow ferries from Athens to islands such as Santorini or Paros. The company has a myriad of destinations, offering you an extraordinary opportunity to island-hop.
Founded in 1965, Blue Star Ferries is one of Greece’s oldest ferry companies. Currently, the company operates a fleet of 12 modern vessels to the Cyclades, Dodecanese, Crete, and Northeast Aegean Sea.
Baggage & Pet Policies
- Luggage Allowance: passengers are entitled to carry free of charge luggage up to 50 kilos
- Pet Policy: up to five pets per passenger are allowed, yet they aren’t allowed in common areas. Passengers traveling with a pet must have a recently updated health booklet for the pet
2. SeaJets
Established in 1989, SeaJets is another prominent company operating ferry lines between Athens and Greece. The company’s fleet consists of 14 high-speed vessels, which offer you the best fast ferry options from Athens to Santorini.
Fast ferry lines of SeaJets travel to 14 Greek islands, with 140 connections between destinations. Most of SeaJets’ lines are seasonal and operate from September to October every year.
Baggage & Pet Policies
- Luggage Allowance: passengers can carry hand luggage weighing up to 50 kg.
- Pet Policy: each passenger may travel with up to 5 pets, each vaccinated and has a recently updated health booklet.
3. Anek Lines
One of the largest ferry companies in Greece, Anek Lines, was originally founded in Crete. Initially, the company offered ferry lines mainly between Piraeus and Crete. Nevertheless, over time, the company’s destination network grew, and new lines were introduced.
Today, Anek Lines operates ship from Athens to Santorini, Chania, Heraklion, Rhodes, and many other Greek islands. The company’s vessels are Ro-Ro ships, which carry both passengers and vehicles, such as cars.
Baggage & Pet Policies
- Luggage Allowance: the information about luggage allowance is unspecified.
- Pet Policy: pets are allowed as long as they are vaccinated, in the on-board kennels, and have recently updated health booklets. Pets are not allowed indoors in certain areas, and owners are responsible for their pet’s care, safety, and hygiene.
4. Zante Ferries
A small ferry company that strives to provide its customers with secure and convenient service, Zante Ferries is truly a rising star. The company has a fleet of modern ferries that travel to over 10 destinations. Besides passengers, Zante Ferries also offers freight transportation services.
The company mostly operates ferries between mainland Greece and the Aegean islands. Kythnos, Santorini, and Lemnos are only a few destinations Zante Ferries travels to.
Baggage & Pet Policies
- Luggage Allowance: unspecified
- Pet Policy: pets are allowed. Passengers traveling with a pet must have a recently updated health booklet for the pet
5. Minoan Lines
Founded in 1972, Minoan Lines is one of the most prominent European passenger ferry companies. The company operates ferries to the Cyclades, Crete, and Italy.
Minoan Lines’ high-speed ferry, Santorini Palace, departs from the Piraeus port of Athens and takes passengers to Santorini. The ferry also visits the islands of Heraklion, Ios, Paros, and Mykonos.
6. Fast Ferries
Cyclades Fast Ferries is a shipping company that offers regular and high-speed ferries from Athens to various Greek islands, including Santorini. The company aims to provide safe, fast, comfortable, and reliable trips to an extensive network of destinations.
The company currently boasts a four-vessel fleet operating on three major routes. Fast Ferries’ vessels allow pets on board and have special amenities to facilitate the journey for customers with disabilities.
Baggage & Pet Policies
- Luggage Allowance: unspecified
- Pet Policy: pets are allowed in the areas for their accommodation. They are not allowed in the common areas for sanitary reasons. Passengers traveling with pets must carry a recently updated health book for the pet
7. Aegean Sea Lines
Aegean Sea Lines is another ferry company that operates a ferry from Santorini to Athens. The company’s vessel, Anemos, travels on two major routes – one from Athens to Santorini and one from Athens to Milos.
While Aegean Sea Lines operated high-speed vessels in the past, it no longer offers fast ferry services. The company has affordable and secure ferry trips, which makes it one of the most preferred operators.
Baggage & Pet Policies
- Luggage Allowance: passengers can carry baggage up to 40 kilograms free of charge.
- Pet Policy: pets are allowed as long as they are recorded in the electronic booking system.
*Remember that companies constantly update their policies. Therefore, contacting your company or checking their website in advance might provide you with information on their up-to-date luggage policy.
Brands We Use And Trust
Ferry Prices From Athens To Santorini
You must be wondering what the ferry price from Athens to Santorini is. Since various companies operate between the mainland and the islands, you can buy ferry tickets from Athens to Santorini at different prices.
The average Santorini to Athens ferry price varies between €40 and €100. Depending on the season and the type of vessel, this price varies greatly.
During the peak season, the Athens to Santorini or Santorini to Athens ferry cost might be as high as €400 per person for a luxury trip. Of course, you can always find more affordable prices thanks to several companies that provide economic trips.
That’s why you should always consider booking in advance and looking for special discounts companies offer. When you buy your ticket out of season, you will have the cheapest boat ride from Athens to Santorini equally in high season; the ticket prices will be much more
Athens To Santorini Ferry Times
The Athens to Santorini ferry schedule might vary due to many reasons, such as weather conditions and a change in companies’ plans. However, Blue Star Ferries and SeaJets provide regular trips from Athens to Santorini.
Check the following table for the first and last ferry departures of these companies*:
| Ferry Line | Departure | Arrival |
| Blue Star Ferries (first ferry) | 7:25 AM | 3:30 PM |
| Blue Star Ferries (last ferry) | 7:25 PM | 3:30 AM |
| SeaJets (first ferry) | 7:00 AM | 11:45 AM |
| SeaJets (last ferry) | 7:00 PM | 11:45 PM |
* Note that this timetable is an approximation, and changes might occur for various reasons. Check the companies’ websites for the exact schedule.
Tips For Traveling By Ferry
You should follow some tips when getting from Athens to Santorini by ferry. Here are some bits of advice that will help you have a more pleasant journey:
- Check the ferry schedule: you should always check the ferry schedule in advance to stay informed of any potential changes due to weather or various factors
- Book in advance: since ferry companies usually charge higher rates during the peak season, you might want to book in advance to save both your money and the spot
- Check the luggage policies: different ferry companies have varying policies regarding free baggage allowance. Therefore, check your ferry company’s website or contact their customer services line for information
- Bring precautions for sea sickness: if you’re prone to motion and sea sickness, you might want to bring precautions. Salty snacks and medicines might help you have a more pleasant and sickness-free journey. Also, considering your journey will last several hours, you might use snacks to quench your hunger
- Please don’t connect to unknown networks: ask your ferry crew whether they have a free WiFi connection before connecting to unknown networks. While some ferries have free WiFi, most companies don’t offer such services
- Be mindful of your belongings: taking a boat from Athens to Santorini is entirely safe. However, ferries usually get crowded, and securing your valuables might be a good idea
- Pay attention to crew instructions: always pay attention to announcements and crew instructions before and after boarding
Move This Adventure To Your Inbox & Get An Instant Freebie
No spam. Unsubscribe at any time.
FAQs
How can I get to Santorini from Athens?
You can get to Santorini from Athens by ferry or plane. It would be best if you considered both options and their pros and cons before deciding whether to fly or sail to Santorini.
How far is Santorini from Athens?
Santorini is roughly 186 miles (300 kilometers) from Athens.
What is the travel time from Athens city center to Santorini?
It usually takes 5 to 6 hours to travel from Athens to Santorini by ferry. On the other hand, there are direct flights that get to the island in 55 minutes. Look for flights with Aegean Airlines and Olympic Air. Remember that it is just the flight time, not the transit time.
How long is the ferry from Athens to Santorini?
Traveling Santorini from Athens by ferry usually takes about 5 to 6 hours. It depends on the type of ferry you take from Santorini to Athens or Athens to Santorini.
How much is a ferry from Athens to Santorini?
While it depends on the ferry company, most standard tickets are priced between €40 and €90.
How can I find cheap ferries from Athens to Santorini?
If you’re looking for cheap ferries from Athens to Santorini, then you should book your tickets a few months prior to your journey because tickets tend to get more expensive as the departure date draws near.
Where is the departure point for ferries from Athens to Santorini?
Most Santorini Piraeus ferry lines depart from the gates E6, E7, E9, and E10. You can contact your ferry company or check your ticket to make sure of the departure point.
Where is the departure point for ferries from Santorini to Athens?
Although Santorini has two ports, only one operates for passenger ferries. You will use the operating port, Athinios, also known as Thira, for traveling between Santorini and Athens by ferry.
The old port, Fira, generally serves as a cruise port.
Which ferry companies operate ferries from Athens to Santorini?
Several companies have Athens to Santorini ferry lines:
- Aegean Sea Lines
- Anek Lines
- Blue Star Ferries
- Cyclades Fast Ferries
- Minoan Lines
- Sea Speed Ferries
- SeaJets
- Zante Ferries
All these ferry operators depart from the Piraeus port of Athens to Thira ferry port.
Where can I find Athens to Santorini ferry schedules and timetables?
Besides this article, you can find the updated Athens to Santorini ferry time tables on operator companies’ websites.
How can you book ferry tickets from Athens to Santorini?
You can use the websites of ferry companies or online booking services to book your ferry tickets.
Can you rent a car in Santorini?
Yes, there are many rent-a-car services in Santorini, near the port. CoolCars, CarHub, Spirikados, and Kronos are only some of the companies that offer rental cars.
Is Santorini a good day trip destination?
Yes, a day trip to Santorini from Athens is a perfect way to discover different aspects of Greece and its unique culture.