Ferry from Chalki to Santorini (Athinios)

Chalki to Santorini is one of the longest single-ship journeys in the Aegean, running roughly ten to fifteen hours on Blue Star Ferries' Blue Star Chios depending on the calls along the way. The route crosses the whole width of the southern Aegean from the Dodecanese into the Cyclades, so it is very much a full day at sea. The ship is a conventional ferry with reclining seats, lounges and cabins on the longer sailings.

Santorini's ferries dock at Athinios, a working port wedged beneath the caldera cliffs with no town attached, so onward transport by bus, taxi or transfer is essential. Above it are the whitewashed clifftop villages of Fira and Oia, the caldera views and the volcanic beaches that draw very large numbers of visitors. The old port at Skala, below Fira, handles excursion boats and is reached by cable car or the donkey path rather than by these ferries.

The direct service runs a couple of times a week at most, so the current timetable below is the thing to check before committing. Santorini is one of the busiest ferry hubs in the Cyclades, with frequent conventional and high-speed links to Piraeus, Crete and the rest of the island group, so onward travel from there is straightforward.

Weekly Chalki to Santorini Ferry Schedule

What each ferry company has published for the four weeks from 13 November 2026 to 10 December 2026: the days it sails and its departure times from Chalki.

Things to do when you arrive: Best Santorini tours on Viator

Chalki to Santorini Ferry Fares

Hiring a car

Is it worth hiring a car on Santorini?

Yes. The ferry port at Athinios sits about 7.5km below Fira up a steep, winding road; the bus takes about 25 minutes and a taxi costs many times the fare. A car lets you reach Oia, Akrotiri and the red and black beaches at your own pace without waiting for infrequent buses; rental desks operate near the port, and you can compare prices across local suppliers at Discover Cars.

Next 14 days

Every scheduled departure from Chalki to Santorini between 13 November 2026 and 26 November 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tips for the Chalki to Santorini ferry

• When booking for the return leg of a day trip, remember that the last ferry of the day can fill up – book your return at the same time as your outward journey.
• In summer, the heat on docksides can be intense, especially during midday departures – a hat and water are essential while waiting to board.
• Most ferries have a small kiosk selling souvenirs, snacks, and basic travel items; useful if you have forgotten sunscreen or earplugs.
• In Santorini, the clifftop villages of Oia and Fira offer the famous caldera views over the submerged volcanic crater, best seen at sunset from Oia's castle. The 214 steps down to Amoudi Bay lead to some of the best seafood tavernas on the island, and local wine tours offer a taste of Assyrtiko, the volcanic-soil white grape unique to the island.

Plan a journey

Search for a connection between any two Greek ports, including journeys that need a change.