Santorini (Thira) – Athens (Piraeus)
Ferry to Athens
Santorini (Thira) – Athens (Piraeus)
Ferry to Athens
You can get a ferry from Santorini to Athens. Ferries from Santorini (Thira) to Athens (Piraeus) run all year round, with an average crossing time of 5 hours 40 minutes. With 35 weekly sailings, it's easy to find a ferry from Santorini to Athens to suit you.
Santorini (Thira) to Athens (Piraeus) first ferry: departs Santorini (Thira) at 00:10.
Santorini (Thira) to Athens (Piraeus) last ferry: departs Santorini (Thira) at around 21:40.
Bear in mind that Santorini to Athens (Piraeus) ferry times can vary by season. We recommend checking the latest Santorini to Athens ferry timetable before you book.
The Santorini (Thira) to Athens (Piraeus) ferry duration depends on whether you’re travelling on an Santorini (Thira) to Athens (Piraeus) fast ferry or a conventional ferry. The Santorini to Athens (Piraeus) ferry time is usually around 5 hours 40 minutes on average.
Average Santorini to Athens (Piraeus) ferry time: 5 hours 40 minutes
Fastest ferry crossing to Athens (Piraeus): 5 hours
Longest ferry crossing to Athens (Piraeus): 11 hours 30 minutes
The Santorini to Athens fast ferry takes 5 hours. Bear in mind, the Santorini to Athens (Piraeus) ferry duration can vary.
Ferries from Santorini (Thira) to Athens (Piraeus) are provided by 3 ferry companies; Blue Star Ferries, SeaJets & Cyclades Fast Ferries. There are a combined total of 5 daily and 35 weekly sailings. Bear in mind, the Santorini Athens ferry timetable can change throughout the seasons, with more options available in the summer months.
Ferry frequency: the Santorini (Thira) to Athens (Piraeus) ferry runs all year round
Blue Star Ferries: 2 daily sailings and 13 weekly sailings
SeaJets: 3 daily sailings and 22 weekly sailings
Cyclades Fast Ferries: 1 daily sailing and 3 weekly sailings
With ferries from Santorini to Athens taking around 5 hours 40 minutes, it's not ideal for a day trip.
The Santorini to Athens ferry price can vary depending on the ferry company you're travelling with and the season you're travelling in.
Average Santorini to Athens (Piraeus) ferry cost: £151.17
Santorini to Athens (Piraeus) distance: approximately 157.8 miles (254.0km) or 137 nautical miles.
Yes, you can get the ferry to Athens (Piraeus) from Santorini (Thira) with a car.
Car operators: Blue Star Ferries, SeaJets & Cyclades Fast Ferries
Car operator prices: usually between £186 and £606
Lowest Santorini to Athens (Piraeus) car ferry price: £130
Yes, you can travel as a foot passenger on the Santorini (Thira) ferry to Athens (Piraeus).
Santorini (Thira) to Athens (Piraeus) foot passenger ferries: Blue Star Ferries, SeaJets & Cyclades Fast Ferries
Foot passenger prices: usually between £75 and £300
Cheapest foot passenger price: £40
Here's everything you need to know about taking your pet on the ferry to Athens (Piraeus).
Pets are allowed on Santorini (Thira) to Athens (Piraeus) ferries. However, you must let the ferry company know you are travelling with a pet at the time of your booking.
Pet-friendly operators:
Blue Star Ferries
SeaJets
You will need the following things with you when travelling with your pet on board the Santorini Athens (Piraeus) ferry.
Seajets:
Blue Star Ferries:
You can travel with guide dogs and assistance dogs on the ferry to Athens (Piraeus) from Santorini (Thira) with Blue Star Ferries & SeaJets. However, you must let the ferry company know at the time of booking. You may also have to present any necessary certificates if asked to do so on board.
Seajets: free
Blue Star Ferries: free
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| Santorini (Thira) - Athens (Piraeus) Route summary | ||
|---|---|---|
| Departure Country | Greece | |
| Destination Country | Greece | |
| No. of Operators | 3 | |
| Operators | Blue Star Ferries, SeaJets & Zante Ferries | |
| Average Price | £131* | |
| Average Daily Sailings | 1 | |
| Average Weekly Sailings | 8 | |
| Average Sailing Duration | 5h 42m | |
| Fastest Sailing Duration | 5h 0m | |
| First Ferry | 03:00 | |
| Last Ferry | 16:00 | |
| Distance | 137 nautical miles | |
* Prices subject to change, pricing is taken from last 30 days, last updated 2024-11-05.
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"Efficient transportation"
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No, the ferry ride is too long for a day trip; a longer stay is recommended.
From Piraeus, you can easily reach the islands of Aegina, Hydra, and Poros, all within a short ferry ride away. Each island offers its own unique charm, from the ancient temples of Aegina to the car-free streets of Hydra. Enjoy a day trip exploring these picturesque destinations or stay overnight to experience the laid-back island lifestyle.
The high-speed ferry from Santorini to Athens Piraeus operated by SeaJets, takes 5h 0m.
The ferry ride from nearby islands to Athens can offer scenic views, relaxation, and ease of travel. However, flying to Piraeus is significantly faster, especially from more distant locations. While ferries have their advantages, flying is the quicker option for most travelers.
Yes, you typically need a valid passport to travel between Santorini and Athens in Greece. However, if you are an EU/EEA citizen, you can use a national ID card instead of a passport for travel within the Schengen Area. It's always recommended to check the latest entry requirements before your trip.
From Santorini airport, you can take a taxi or the local bus to Athinios Port, which is the nearest port for ferries to Piraeus. The taxi ride takes around 20 minutes, while the bus journey may take about 30 minutes. Once you reach Athinios Port, you are ready to board the ferry to Piraeus.
The ferry ride from Santorini to Athens (Piraeus) can be rough, especially during the winter months when sea conditions are more unpredictable. Summer tends to have calmer seas, but waves can still be choppy at times, so it's advisable to take seasickness precautions if you are prone to motion sickness. Be prepared for a potentially bumpy journey and consider booking a more stable high-speed ferry if you are concerned about rough seas.
The easiest way to travel from Santorini to Athen is by taking a ferry, which offers multiple connections daily. The fastest option would be a high-speed ferry, which takes around 4-5 hours. For the most scenic journey, opt for a slower ferry to enjoy the beautiful views of the Aegean Sea along the way. To travel on a budget, choose a conventional ferry, which is typically the most cost-effective option.
Located in the southern Aegean Sea is the Greek island of Santorini and lies around 200 km to the south east of the Greek mainland. It forms part of the Cycladic group of islands and is the only location in Europe to have a hot desert climate. A popular pastime for visitors to Santorini is to take a cruise to the island's three islets, which were created in ancient times during a volcanic eruption. The islets are called Nea Kammeni, Palea Kammeni and Thirassia and provide an excellent vantage point for visitors to see the volcano, being located to the west of the island. The island's capital is Fira and is full of typical Cycladic houses with whitewashed walls, blue domed churches and stepped streets full of shops, cafes, restaurants and bars.
The island of Santorini has two ports. The main port is Athinios, where all the ferry and commercial boats arrive. There is also the Old Port which is mostly used for cruise ships. From the main port, ferries can be taken to Piraeus, Rafina and to the other islands in the Cyclades. Both conventional and high speed ferries operate on these routes.
The Greek city and port of Piraeus is one of the largest ports in the whole of the Mediterranean, and the third largest in the world, and has become a major hub for the ferry network that spans the Aegean Sea. Piraeus is an important city in its own right despite the fact that it is frequently considered to be a suburb of Athens, the Greek capital, which is only a very short distance away. Despite its proximity to Athens, Piraeus' waterfront has its own distinct appearance and visitors will see that the most appealing parts of the city are located around its eastern quarter, alongside both Mikrolimano Harbour and Zea Marina. A popular event in Piraeus is the Ecocinema International Film Festival which is held annually in late February and is where a number of films are screened at the Atticon Cinema and the Cineac Cinema, which are both located in the city's Town Hall Square.
Full of restaurants, bars and nightclubs, the waterfront district was greatly redeveloped in time for the Athens Olympics and as a result a new harbour front promenade was created that is lined with trees and passes the medieval city walls. The walls serve as a reminder and as an insight into the city's rich past.
We recommend to book your ferry from Santorini to Athens (Piraeus) in advance to get it at the cheapest price. The Santorini (Thira) to Athens (Piraeus) ferry cost varies depending on the season you’re travelling in. Most Athens (Piraeus) Santorini (Thira) ferry prices are higher in the peak summer months between June to September. Ferries during these months can sell out so if you’re wanting to travel on a Santorini (Thira) to Athens (Piraeus) ferry in summer it’s always best to make you book in advance. Check out our special offers page for all the latest ferry discounts and to find the best ferry from Santorini to Athens (Piraeus) to suit you.
Yes, students can get a 5% discount on Santorini (Thira) Athens (Piraeus) ferry tickets all year round. Check out our special offers page for more discounts and to get the cheapest Santorini to Athens (Piraeus) ferry booking.
It all depends on the size of the ship but disembarking the ferry can take around 15-45 minutes.
If you're getting the Santorini (Thira) to Athens (Piraeus) ferry with luggage, then there are certain restrictions that may apply. The amount of luggage you can take on the Santorini (Thira) to Athens (Piraeus) ferry depends on the ferry company you are travelling with.
Seajets: up to 50kg
Blue Star Ferries: up to 50kg
Cyclades Fast Ferries: no specific limit
There are a wide range of facilities available on board the Santorini (Thira) to Athens (Piraeus) ferry. These include cafes, restaurants, bars and gift shops. Bear in mind that each ship’s facilities will vary.
The accommodation and seating on the boat from Santorini (Thira) to Athens (Piraeus) differs depending on the ferry company and how long the journey is. Prices are also dependent on the company you travel with and the size of your cabin.
Seajets: The high-speed ferries do not have cabins on board. Instead, there's airline-style seating available. You can choose from standard Economy seats or Business/VIP seats for extra comfort and additional amenities.
Cyclades Fast Ferries: There are a range of seats on board including Economy, Business and VIP seats. Inside and outside cabins are available too.
Blue Star Ferries: As well as Economy and airline-style seating, there are also both private and shared cabins available on board including 2, 3 and 4 berth cabins.
Yes, the ferries from Santorini (Thira) to Athens (Piraeus) are suitable for people with reduced mobility. The exact facilities on board will depend on the ship you’re travelling on. It's best to inform the ferry company at the time of booking to see if they can accommodate any requests.
Seajets: People with reduced mobility can travel on all ferry routes. Just let them know when boarding the ship or at the time of booking.
Cyclades Fast Ferries: Larger vessels may have wheelchair ramps and boarding assistance. However, the smaller vessels may not be suitable for those with reduced mobility.
Blue Star Ferries: Special cabins, priority boarding and wheelchairs are available on board.
If you're travelling from Santorini (Thira) to Athens (Piraeus) by ferry, we recommend arriving at Santorini (Thira) port at least 1 hour before departure. However, if you are travelling with a vehicle, it’s best to arrive 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours before departure to allow time for parking. Wherever you’re travelling from, you should allow plenty of time to get to the port in case of traffic.
Your Santorini (Thira) to Athens (Piraeus) ferry tickets will be sent by email. You will then need to check in with the ferry company before you travel and you may receive an additional boarding pass.
The latest check-in time for your Santorini (Thira) Athens (Piraeus) ferry crossing should be in your confirmation email.
Seajets: from 48 to 2 hours before the scheduled departure time
Cyclades Fast Ferries: up to 30 minutes before scheduled departure time
Blue star ferries: from 48 to 2 hours before the scheduled departure time
Yes, parking is available at Santorini (Thira) port.
Santorini ferry port is easily accessible from the rest of the island. You can reach the port by bus, taxi or private transfer. It's best to book taxis in advance if you're travelling during peak season.
From Fira:
By bus: there are regularly buses between Fira and the port. The journey usually takes around 25 minutes.
By car/taxi: the drive from Fira takes approximately 15-20 minutes.
From Oia:
By bus: there are no direct buses from Oia. If you wish to travel by bus, you have to change in Fira.
By car/taxi: the drive from Oia usually takes about 40 minutes.
A major hub for travellers, Piraeus port can get very busy in the summer months. It's easy to get from Pireaus port to Athens city centre.
Metro: Piraeus metro station is located next to the port. Take Line 1 (Green Line) to Athens city centre. The journey takes around 20-30 minutes.
Bus: Bus 040 operates between Piraeus and Syntagma Square in Athens city centre, taking around 50 minutes.
Taxi: There are plenty of taxis available at Piraeus port. The journey to Athens city centre takes about 20 minutes.
If you’re travelling by car, speed limits are as follows:
Urban areas: 50km/h or 31mph
Rural areas: 90km/h or 55mph
Motorways: 130km/h or 80mph
