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Traveling from Athens to Santorini

If you’re wondering how to get from Athens, Greece to Santorini, you have a couple of options. First, you could take the ferry to Santorini from Athens. Your second option is to fly Aegean Airlines or Sky Express from the Athens International Airport. There are pros and cons to each of these which I will go over below along with some frequently asked questions. It all depends on how much time you have to travel, the time of year you’re traveling, and the kind of experience you’re looking for.

Some travelers will pick Santorini as their one and only Greek Island trip and others may be looking for something more extensive, like a 2 week Greek Island hopping itinerary. Regardless of your travel plans, it’s always best to begin your trip in Athens and go from there.

Santorini is one of the most popular Greek islands and in my opinion, it’s a good idea to spend about 4 Days in Santorini. If you’re fortunate enough to be visiting Greece, it’s definitely a place that should not be missed. So, let’s get ready to do some island hopping!

How to Get from Athens to Santorini by Ferry

The ferry from Athens to Santorini allows you to enjoy the beautiful Aegean Sea. The downside is depending on the time of year it may be difficult to get a boat from Athens to Santorini. In the off-season, there are only 2 boats a day making the trip. Another con is the time it takes to make the trip. The ferry time from Athens to Santorini can be as much as 7 hours. You’ll get there far more quickly if you book a flight. But some people prefer the relaxing scenic trip to sitting on a packed airplane.

Making the Trip From Athens to Santorini: Ferry Options

During the peak season, there are at least 4 daily ferry crossings to Santorini from the Piraeus port in Athens. However, during the off-peak season, I found only 2 ferry crossings from Athens to the Athinios Ferry port in Santorini. The times were not to my liking and there were no high-speed ferries available. If you’re looking for fast ferries, you will only find them in the peak season. Most people make the ferry trip during the peak season of June to September when there are far more options to travel by boat.

How long is the ferry from Athens to Santorini?

The trip takes anywhere from 4 to 7 hours depending on the type of ferry you choose. Fast ferries or high speed ferry options will get you there in just 4 hours.

What is the ferry price from Athens to Santorini?

Traveling by ferry is cheaper than taking a plane. Ferry tickets between Athens and Santorini cost around 35€-56€ depending on if you take a conventional or high-speed ferry. Pro tip: if you book your ferry tickets in advance, you can take advantage of the early-booking offers which reduced the cost of your ticket to 30€.

Which port should I leave from, Piraeus or Rafina?

I recommend Piraeus if you plan to stay in Athens before your trip to Santorini. This port is closer to Athens city center and easily accessible by metro, taxi, or bus. Most ferries between Athens and Santorini depart around 7 am. Tickets cost 35€-60€.

I recommend Rafina if you’re heading directly to the port after your flight into Athens or if you’re looking to make a stop in Mykonos. Ferries from Athens to Santorini out of Rafina usually depart at 7:30 am and 4 pm. Ticket prices start at 56€. The Rafina to Santorini route is operated by SeaJets, Blue Star Ferries, and Golden Star Ferries. The Athens Santorini ferry trip takes about 5 hours.

Use the handy tool below to book ferry tickets today through Blue Star Ferry.

Here are the links to all of the various ferries from Athens to Santorini so you can check timetables and prices on the Athens Santorini route.

Ferry operators:

Blue Star Ferry

Seajets

Golden Star Ferries

Ferry Wheelchair Accessibility

Most large vessels from Athens to Santorini are wheelchair accessible. The ferry offers accessible ramps and handrails, wheelchair anchor points with safety belts, accessible toilets, and designated parking spots. However, it is recommended that you notify the ferry company at least 48 hours in advance of departure if you are traveling with a wheelchair so they may accommodate you onboard. The ferry company can give you further details about necessary arrival times and access to the port in Thira.

According to European Union law, ferry companies in Greece must provide passengers with reduced mobility or other disabilities with all necessary help and accessible options for their trip.

Athens Greece to Santorini by Plane

If you want to get to Santorini quickly, your best bet is to purchase round-trip tickets on one of the many flights. Athens to Santorini flight time is 45 minutes and there are several flights a day, even during the off-season.

Flights from Athens to Santorini take off several times a day from the Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos. During my stay in Greece, I opted to take the plane. I used miles making the trip free and I was able to pick a better arrival time given the slim pickings when it comes to ferry options in the off-season.

For the best prices on airfare, check out Skyscanner:

Airlines that Fly From Athens to Santorini

You have a couple of options if the fast ferry from Athens to Santorini isn’t fast enough for you. Avoid the Santorini ferry and fly directly into the Santorini airport. There is only one baggage carousel in Santorini, so finding your bags is easy. From here you can proceed directly to the car rental desk, or opt to have your hotel pick you up. Taxis are expensive and best avoided if possible.

Sky Express

Aegean

No Matter How You Get There, Enjoy Beautiful Santorini!

Now that you know how to get from Athens to Santorini, I hope you enjoy your trip. Santorini is gorgeous no matter which time of year you choose to visit. If you happen to go in the off-season like me (October to May) you’ll have the place largely to yourself and be able to capture beautiful photos without the crowds. However, the downside, most of the restaurants and shops will be closed. There are still a few places to grab something to eat and a few cute shops to purchase souvenirs and groceries. Santorini is beautiful year-round so don’t be put off by the nay-sayers who say to avoid the off-season.

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