Greece

How to get from Santorini to Naxos

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

⏱
FASTEST
2h 40min
💶
From
33€
📍
Distance
76 km
Powered by 12Go system
⚡ Quick answer

Checked offer from Santorini to Naxos: Ferry, about 2h 40min, from €33. Main companies selling this route on 12Go (checked on November 4, 2026): Blue Star Ferries; main departure point: Thira Santorini Port.

Distance: 76 km. Data updated on .

One option to get from Santorini to Naxos

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

Ferry
2h 40min
33 €
View
🚌 Departure from Santorini
📍Ferries leave from the port of Athinios, Santorini's main ferry port, set at the foot of the caldera cliffs on the southern side of the island. It has a small terminal building, a few cafés and ticket offices, with limited shelter, so bring water and sun protection.
🚇From Fira, the KTEL bus runs to Athinios in time for ferry departures, and taxis or hotel transfers are also available. In summer, the winding road gets busy, so arrange your transfer in advance and leave a comfortable margin.
⏰Departures vary by season, with more sailings in summer and fewer in winter. Check the table on this page for the current sailings, and confirm the time and port on your ticket before travelling.
💸 Transport from 33€ per person
⚡ Fastest: 2h 40min
🗓 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
Blue Star Ferries Ferry Thira Santorini Port €33 1
📶 Stay connected the moment you land

Activate an eSIM before you go: internet the moment you land, no SIM to swap, zero roaming fees.

Yesim · eSIM partner

Practical tips

💡
Book early for summer sailings

In July and August, the most convenient Santorini–Naxos sailings can sell out. Book as soon as your dates are fixed, and choose a flexible option if your plans might change.

💡
Check the departure port

Your ferry leaves from Athinios, not from Fira or the old port below it. Confirm the port on your ticket and plan your transfer from your hotel accordingly.

💡
Mind the Athens ports on onward trips

If you continue from Naxos towards Athens, check whether your boat arrives at Piraeus, Rafina or Lavrio. They are in different places, so match your onward plans to the right port.

💡
Leave a buffer for wind delays

Strong winds can delay or cancel sailings, especially high-speed boats. Avoid booking a flight or a tight connection on the same day as your crossing, and keep a spare night if possible.

💡
Arrive at the port in good time

Allow plenty of time to reach Athinios, as the road down from the caldera is winding and busy in summer. Keep your ticket handy and check the boarding gate on arrival.

The journey experience

Santorini to Naxos is one of the most popular hops in the Cyclades, and the good news is that the ferry is the clear answer here. There is no need to weigh up coaches or trains between two islands, and a flight would only complicate things. Check the table on this page to compare the crossing at a glance and pick the sailing that suits your plans.

You travel from Santorini's port at Athinios, on the island's southern side, and arrive in Naxos Town (Chora), right next to the old town, the waterfront restaurants and most accommodation. Conventional ferries offer open decks, indoor lounges and a relaxed pace, while high-speed boats are quicker but more exposed to rough seas. Several companies, such as Blue Star Ferries, SeaJets and Minoan Lines, have served the Cyclades, so times and fares can differ noticeably from one sailing to the next.

My advice: book ahead in summer, when popular sailings fill up, and always check the departure port on your ticket. Schedules change with the season and wind can delay boats, so avoid tight connections on the same day, especially before a flight home. Booking online gives you instant confirmation and one less thing to worry about on the island.

Frequently asked questions — Santorini → Naxos

Why visit Naxos?

  • ✓ Climb to the Portara, the monumental marble gateway of an unfinished Temple of Apollo, at sunset
  • ✓ Wander the maze-like alleys of Chora and the Venetian Kastro, with its old Catholic mansions
  • ✓ Relax on Plaka, Agios Prokopios and Mikri Vigla beaches, and try windsurfing or kitesurfing
  • ✓ Hike up Mount Zas, the highest peak in the Cyclades, and visit the Cave of Zeus
  • ✓ Explore the mountain villages of Apeiranthos and Halki, and the ancient kouros statues in Melanes
🌙
Recommended stay
4 to 7 nights — enough to combine beaches, mountain villages and hiking without rushing

When to visit Naxos?

MEDITERRANEAN CLIMATE

Late May to early October — warm, sunny and dry, with calm seas; July–August is busiest and windiest

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

What to do in Naxos?

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

MUST-SEE
🏛️
Portara and Temple of Apollo
The 6th-century BC marble gateway on the islet of Palatia is Naxos's emblem. Walk the causeway from the port in 10 minutes. Entry is free and the site is always open. Arrive 30 minutes before sunset for golden light and fewer crowds, and bring water as there is no shade.
🏰
Chora's Kastro and Old Town
Climb through the whitewashed lanes of the Venetian quarter to the 13th-century Kastro, still lived in by descendants of Catholic families. Visit the Archaeological Museum inside (about 6€). Go in the morning before the heat, wear flat shoes for the slippery marble steps, and let yourself get lost.
🏖️
Agios Prokopios and Plaka Beaches
Fine sand and shallow turquoise water stretch for kilometres south of Chora. Agios Prokopios is lively, while Plaka is longer and quieter, with a nudist section at the far end. Sunbeds cost around 10€ for two. Take bus line to Agios Prokopios from the port, about 2€, every 30 minutes in summer.
🏺
Temple of Demeter, Sangri
This restored Archaic marble temple from 530 BC sits in a quiet wheat-field valley, with a small museum on site. Entry is about 4€ and it closes mid-afternoon, so go before 2:30 pm. Rent a car or scooter to combine it with Chimarros Tower and the surrounding villages.
🏘️
Halki and Filoti Villages
Halki, the old capital, has neoclassical mansions, Byzantine chapels and the Vallindras distillery, which makes kitron liqueur (free tasting). Continue to Filoti, a hillside village under Mount Zas. Stop for lunch in a Halki square shaded by plane trees; mains from about 12€.
🗿
Ancient Marble Kouroi Quarries
Near Apollonas lies an unfinished 10-metre kouros from the 7th century BC, abandoned in the quarry after it cracked. Entry is free and open all day. Another kouros lies near Melanes in a lemon grove (about 2€). Visit with a car and stop for a swim at Apollonas.
⛰️
Hike Mount Zas Summit
At 1,001 metres, Zas is the highest peak in the Cyclades. The trail starts near Filoti and takes about 1.5 hours up, passing the Cave of Zas. Start before 9 am to avoid heat, bring 2 litres of water and sturdy shoes. The view covers dozens of islands.
🧀
Naxian Cheese and Potato Tasting
Naxos is known for its graviera, arseniko and xynotyro cheeses and its famed potatoes. Visit a mountain farm near Apeiranthos or a village taverna for a platter. Ask for a local kitron liqueur to finish. Expect a full meal for about 15€ per person.

How long to visit Naxos?

3 to 5 days

Plan 4 to 5 days to see Naxos properly. With 2 days, stick to Chora (Portara, old Kastro), a beach like Agios Prokopios or Plaka, and one drive to Apeiranthos. With 4 to 5 days, add Halki, the Temple of Demeter, the Kouros statues, Mount Zas hike and the quieter southern beaches. Rent a car or scooter on arrival, as buses are infrequent outside Chora and the main beaches.

Related searches

ferry Santorini Naxos how to get from Santorini to Naxos ticket price Santorini to Naxos travel time Santorini to Naxos travel to Greece

Other trips from Santorini

Book now