Santorini to Athens Itinerary
Plan a Santorini-to-Athens trip: ferry vs flight, transfer times, hotel stops and a day-by-day itinerary.
Detailed guide for returning to Athens from Santorini by ferry.
The Santorini to Athens ferry route is the most popular way to travel between the iconic Cycladic island and mainland Greece. Most ferries depart from Santorini's Athinios Port (also called the new port) and arrive at Piraeus, the largest passenger port in Europe and Athens' main maritime gateway. The journey takes between 5 and 9 hours depending on the ferry type, with several departures every day during peak season (May to October) and reduced winter schedules from November to April.
Travellers can choose between high-speed catamarans operated by SeaJets and Blue Star's conventional car ferries. High-speed services (around 5 hours) are quicker but more expensive (€60–€90 one way) and tend to sell out faster, while conventional ferries (8–9 hours) are cheaper (€38–€55) and a smoother ride in choppy weather. Children under 4 travel free, and most operators offer a 50% discount for children aged 5–9.
Book at least 4–6 weeks in advance for July, August, and Greek public holidays, when ferries fill quickly. For shoulder-season travel (May, June, September, October) two weeks ahead is usually enough. Tickets are released about three months before departure and prices stay roughly constant — there are no last-minute deals — so booking early secures your preferred departure time and seat class.
Arrive at Athinios Port at least 60 minutes before departure (90 minutes if you have a rental car). The port has limited shaded seating, so bring water and snacks. Once you board, head to the upper deck for the best caldera views as the ferry pulls away — the cliffs and white-washed villages of Fira and Imerovigli are at their most dramatic from sea level. On arrival at Piraeus, the metro Line 1 (Green) connects directly to central Athens in around 25 minutes, or take a taxi for €25–€35 to Syntagma Square.