Greece

How to get from Piraeus (Athens port) to Santorini

Compare all transport options: bus, ferry, train, flight. Prices, durations and practical tips.

⏱
FASTEST
6h 20min
💶
From
50€
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Distance
232 km
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⚡ Quick answer

Checked offer from Piraeus (Athens port) to Santorini: Ferry, about 6h 20min – 8h 30min, from €50. Main companies selling this route on 12Go (checked on November 4, 2026): Blue Star Ferries, Fast Ferries, Cyclades Fast Ferries; main departure point: Piraeus Port.

Distance: 232 km. Data updated on .

One option to get from Piraeus (Athens port) to Santorini

Select an option below to see the route details and compare prices. Secure booking via our partner 12go.asia.

Ferry
6h 20min – 8h 30min
50 – 62 €
View
🚌 Departure from Piraeus (Athens port)
📍Ferries to Santorini leave from the Port of Piraeus, Athens' main passenger port. It is organised into numbered gates along the waterfront, and your ticket shows the right one. Arrive in good time to find your gate and board comfortably.
🚇The easiest way to reach Piraeus is Athens Metro Line 1 (green), which ends at the Piraeus station right by the port. Taxis are also available from central Athens, but allow for traffic. From the station, walk or take a shuttle to your gate.
⏰Sailings to Santorini run most days, with more departures in summer and fewer in winter. Many leave in the morning, with some later options. Check the exact timetable for your date before booking.
💸 Transport from 50€ per person
⚡ Fastest: 6h 20min
🗓 Book now Secure payment · via 12go.asia

Companies selling this route on 12Go

Offers listed on 12Go on November 4, 2026 for a departure on November 25, 2026. Timetables and prices change with the date: check them before booking.

CompanyModeDeparts fromFromOffers
Fast Ferries Ferry Piraeus Port €50 1
Blue Star Ferries Ferry Piraeus Port €61 4
Cyclades Fast Ferries Ferry Piraeus Port €109 1
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Practical tips

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Book summer sailings early

In July and August, the most convenient Santorini sailings sell out, especially fast boats and cabins. Reserve as soon as your dates are fixed, and choose a ticket with instant confirmation so you are not left scrambling at the port.

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Check you are going to Piraeus

Athens has three ferry ports: Piraeus, Rafina and Lavrio. Santorini boats normally leave from Piraeus. Read the departure port on your ticket before leaving your hotel, and never rely only on the port name used by a taxi driver.

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Find the right gate

Piraeus is a huge port with numbered gates spread along the waterfront. Your ticket or the operator's confirmation shows your gate. Check it early, because walking between gates with luggage can take longer than expected.

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Plan for wind delays

Strong winds can delay or cancel fast boats, particularly in summer. Avoid booking a flight or a prepaid tour on the same day you arrive, and keep a spare day before any international departure from the island.

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Choose speed or comfort

A conventional ferry is cheaper and steadier in rough seas, with deck space and a cabin option. A fast boat saves time but offers less outdoor space. Pick according to your budget and how much of your day you want to keep.

The journey experience

Getting from Piraeus to Santorini is one of the most popular island crossings in Greece, and for most independent travellers the ferry is the obvious answer. It is the only option on this route that needs no airport transfer, no luggage fuss and no detour: you board in Athens' main port and step off right on the caldera island.

Two kinds of boats generally serve this line: conventional ferries and high-speed catamarans. Conventional ferries are the more affordable choice, with open decks, cafés, reclining seats and the option of a cabin on longer sailings. High-speed vessels cut the journey noticeably but cost more and can be disrupted when the meltemi wind picks up. Operators such as Blue Star Ferries and Seajets are well known on Cyclades routes, but always check which company actually sails on your chosen date. Compare the durations and price ranges shown on this page side by side to decide what suits your budget.

Schedules change with the season, so confirm the departure port on your ticket: for Santorini it is normally Piraeus, not Rafina or Lavrio, which serve other islands. In summer, book early, since popular sailings sell out. Keep some flexibility on arrival day in case of wind delays, and avoid tight same-day connections such as flights. Booking online gives you instant confirmation and peace of mind.

Frequently asked questions — Piraeus (Athens port) → Santorini

Why visit Santorini?

  • ✓ Watch the sunset from the Oia castle ruins, then wander the whitewashed lanes of the village
  • ✓ Hike the 10 km clifftop trail from Fira to Oia along the caldera rim
  • ✓ Take a boat trip to the volcanic islet of Nea Kameni and soak in the hot springs
  • ✓ Taste Assyrtiko wines at a cliffside winery such as Santo Wines or Venetsanos
  • ✓ Walk through the Minoan ruins of Akrotiri, the 'Pompeii of the Aegean'
🌙
Recommended stay
3 to 4 nights — enough to see Oia, Fira, Akrotiri and the beaches without rushing

When to visit Santorini?

MEDITERRANEAN CLIMATE

Late April to June, and September to October — warm, sunny weather with fewer crowds and calmer seas

Jan 😞
Feb 😞
Mar 😞
Apr 😐
May 😊
Jun 😊
Jul 😐
Aug 😐
Sep 😊
Oct 😊
Nov 😐
Dec 😞
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In Santorini — Plan your stay
Accommodation, activities and tips selected for you
🏨 Accommodation
Hotels in Santorini
Compare the best rates available
via trip.com

What to do in Santorini?

Local experiences, must-see sights and activities selected for you

MUST-SEE
🌅
Sunset in Oia Village
Oia's sunset is the island's signature moment. Arrive 90 minutes early to claim a spot along the castle ruins or the western lanes. Summer crowds are dense, so consider shoulder season. Walk back toward Fira via the caldera path for quieter views. Free access.
🥾
Fira to Oia Caldera Hike
This 10 km trail follows the caldera rim through Firostefani and Imerovigli, with sweeping sea views. Allow about 3 hours and start by 8am to avoid heat. Bring water and a hat, as shade is scarce. Take the bus back from Oia for around 2€.
🏛️
Akrotiri Archaeological Site
This Bronze Age Minoan town was buried by the volcanic eruption around 1600 BC and remarkably preserved under a modern protective roof. Entry is about 15€. Visit early morning or late afternoon for fewer tour groups, and allow 1 to 1.5 hours. Site is sheltered, so useful on windy days.
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Volcano and Hot Springs Boat Trip
Boats leave from Old Port in Fira or Ammoudi Bay to Nea Kameni volcano, followed by a swim at the Palea Kameni hot springs. Tours cost from about 25€, plus a separate 5€ volcano entry fee in many cases. Wear sturdy shoes, as the crater path is rocky and exposed.
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Assyrtiko Winery Tasting
Santorini's volcanic soil produces distinctive Assyrtiko, grown in basket-shaped vines called kouloura. Wineries like Santo Wines or Venetsanos offer tastings from about 20€ for several glasses. Book a late afternoon slot for the caldera view, and arrange a taxi or designated driver.
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Red Beach and Akrotiri Coast
Red Beach stands out for its crimson volcanic cliffs. Reach it by a short rocky path from the parking area, and wear proper shoes. Rockfall risk has led to partial closures, so check access before going. Go early for calmer water, then eat fresh fish at nearby Akrotiri tavernas.
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Local Food in Megalochori
This quiet village offers a taste of authentic Santorini away from caldera crowds. Try fava purée, tomatokeftedes (cherry tomato fritters) and white eggplant in family tavernas. Main dishes cost roughly 10 to 18€. Visit at lunchtime, then wander the shaded lanes and bell tower square.
⛰️
Ancient Thera and Kamari
Perched on Mesa Vouno mountain, Ancient Thera reveals Hellenistic and Roman ruins with panoramic views over the east coast. Entry is about 6€. Hike up from Perissa or Kamari in roughly 45 minutes, or drive part way. Go early, since there is no shade and the site closes mid-afternoon.

How long to visit Santorini?

2 to 4 days

Plan 3 to 4 days to enjoy Santorini without rushing. With 2 days, you can see Fira, Oia for sunset and one beach (Perissa or Red Beach). With 4 days, add a caldera hike from Fira to Oia, a boat trip to the volcano and hot springs, a visit to Akrotiri and a winery tasting. Rent a quad or car for a day and book Oia sunset spots and caldera-view restaurants in advance in summer.

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