Athens Santorini

You can get from Athens to Santorini by ferry or flight and below you will find some additional information to help you choose the way of traveling that suits you the most.

Table of contents:
• Ferry • Plane • Island-hopping packages • Map

Having spent some time exploring Athens, the Greek capital, a trip to Santorini is always a good idea in order to see a totally different landscape compared to the city.
Santorini is one of the most popular and spectacular destinations in Greece and a trip there is a must-do while you are in the country!

The Athens Santorini ferry route is one of the most popular ones, along with the route from Mykonos to Santorini and the route from Athens to Mykonos.
At least one ferry crossing per day is available at any time of the year with Blue Star Ferries. There are multiple scheduled daily routes during the high season with other companies, too, like Seajets and Golden Star Ferries.
Keep in mind that there are three ports in Athens, but the best way to get to Santorini is from Piraeus Port (the closest port to Athens center). The port of Santorini is Athinios.
The trip usually lasts 4 to 10 hours, depending on the type of ferry (conventional or high-speed). For long trips, you may also book a cabin.
The fare varies; standard tickets, which are the most affordable, start from 48€ but can reach 89.7€. Price changes depending on the class you pick for your trip (economy or business) and the type of vessel (high-speed or conventional).

Pros of getting to Santorini by ferry:
Ferries are usually the cheapest way to get to Santorini and are less likely to sell out than flights. Ticket prices are fixed and do not fluctuate depending on season/demand.

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• How long is the duration of the trip?

The duration of the trip from Athens to Santorini ranges between 4 hours and 20 minutes and a maximum of 10 hours. The average travel time is 5.5 hours. That depends on several variants: the type of vessel (conventional or high-speed), the port of departure (Piraeus or Rafina), the intermediate stops to other islands, and the weather conditions.

• How much do the tickets cost?

Prices depend on the ferry type (conventional or high-speed) and the port of departure (Piraeus or Rafina). Some indicative prices are:

• €59 for a conventional Blue Star from Piraeus with a trip duration of 7.5 hours.
• €89.7 for a high-speed Seajets from Piraeus with a trip duration of around 5 hours.
• €48 for the conventional Fast Ferries from Piraeus with a trip duration of 10 hours.
• €82 for the high-speed Golden Star Ferries from Rafina with a trip duration of 5.5 hours.

• What types of vessels are operating?

There are two types of ferries operating the route from Athens to Santorini: the conventional, mainly run by the Blue Star and Fast Ferries companies, and high-speed, mainly run by Seajets and Golden Star Ferries.

> Conventional ferries

The conventional type consists of a large vessel with many indoor and outdoor spaces and a garage. If you are traveling with a dog, there is an organized kennel; however, depending on the vessel, you can also keep your dog with you on the deck. Restaurants, fast food options, cafes and small shops with magazines and miscellaneous products are included on the ferry's premises. All interior spaces are air-conditioned. Traveling with a conventional Blue Star Ferry is the most popular option. Challenging weather conditions, such as strong winds, rarely affect this type of vessel so it usually departs and arrives on time. Also, the trip is quite pleasant thanks to the vessel's size and you get to enjoy the beautiful sea views along with lunch or coffee. Lastly, a great advantage of the conventional type is the garage option for your vehicle. By paying an extra fee, you can take your car or motorcycle with you.
Types of seats: Deck/Economy, Air seats/Economy, Air seat/Business, cabins with/without a view.
Price range: €48 - €186
Vehicle: €33 - €41 (Moto), €108 - €131 (Car)
Timetable: During the summer season, there are 1-2 crossings daily for this type of vessel from/to Piraeus Port.

> High-speed ferries

High-speed vessels are smaller boats operating at faster speeds than conventional ones. There are limited outdoor spaces and passengers sit in assigned seats in the indoor area.
The vessel’s interior spaces are air-conditioned. It is important to note that not all high-speed vessels boast garages, so transporting your vehicle is not possible with some ferries.
The advantage of choosing high-speed vessels is that the journey is much shorter. Keep in mind that since they are smaller in size, bad weather conditions (strong winds during summer months) affect them, and delays may occur quite often. In case you are traveling with strong winds, you might feel a bit seasick.
Types of seats: Air seats/Economy, Air seats/Business, and Air seats/VIP.
Price range: €82 - €138.7
Vehicle: €38- €49.7 (Moto), €85 - €131 (Car)
Timetable: During the summer season, there are 3-4 crossings daily for this type of vessel from/to Piraeus Port and 1-2 from/to Rafina Port.

• Indicative Timetables from Athens ports

Check our booking engine for precise timetables.

Note: Ferry companies announce their official timetables in February or March.

Discover other popular ferry routes to Santorini.

 

Direct flights connect Athens International Airport with Santorini Airport throughout the year.
A flight usually lasts around 45 minutes and the ticket prices change regularly, depending on availability and demand.
Aegean Airlines, Sky Express, Olympic Air, Ryanair, and Volotea are the companies that operate this route.
It is highly advised to book your tickets a few months in advance in order to save money or just to be sure, since they tend to sell out quickly.
Choosing an off-season date for your trip usually comes with a drop in ticket prices.

Pros of getting to Santorini by flight: Flights are the fastest way to get to your destination. If you book your ticket early, it will probably have a lower fare.

Scheduled Flights

 

If you would like to have your Cycladic trip from Athens pre-planned for you, check out our special island hopping packages that will get you from Athens to Santorini and other fascinating Cycladic destinations.

 

Discover an illustrated map with the ferry and flight route from Athens to Santorini.