Ferry from Karpathos (Pigadia) to Santorini (Athinios)
6h 40m to 11h 35m · 1 operator
Karpathos to Santorini at a glance
Ferries from Karpathos (Pigadia) to Santorini (Athinios) are scheduled 6 times over the next 14 days, roughly 3 a week. The earliest departure in that window is 16:30 and the latest is 21:15. The crossing takes between 6h 40m and 11h 35m, depending on the vessel. The route is served by 1 operator: Blue Star Ferries. There are sailings on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday during the next fortnight. Operators have published this timetable as far as 29 October 2026.
Operators have published this route's timetable to 29 October 2026. Sailings beyond that date have not been announced yet.
Karpathos to Santorini Route Map
Karpathos to Santorini is a long westbound run with Blue Star Ferries aboard the Blue Star Chios, and the time varies widely with the routing, from about six and a half hours direct to around eleven and a half when the ship calls via Crete and other islands. It is a conventional ferry with a restaurant, indoor lounges and open deck. Worth checking which routing you are booked on, as the two are very different journeys.
Ferries dock at Athinios, the working port beneath Santorini's caldera cliffs, rather than the old port below Fira. Athinios has no town of its own, so plan for a bus or transfer up the switchback road on arrival. Once up top there are the caldera villages of Fira and Oia, the clifftop sunset views and the volcanic beaches on the east coast.
Sailings run around three times a week in season. The current timetable and fares are shown in the table below. Santorini is one of the busiest hubs in the Cyclades, with frequent high-speed and conventional links to Piraeus, Crete and the rest of the Cyclades, so onward options from here are wide open.
Karpathos to Santorini Ferry Fares
No published fares for this route yet.
Weekly Karpathos to Santorini Ferry Schedule
The repeating pattern behind the dated timetable, without dates. Each row is one scheduled departure and the days it runs.
| Operator | Vessel | Days | Departs | Arrives | Duration | From | Season | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Star Ferries | Blue Star Chios conventional | 16:30 | 04:05 | 11h 35m | 2026-08-23 to 2026-10-25 | Book the Blue Star Chios sailing | ||
| Blue Star Ferries | Blue Star Chios conventional | 20:00 | 02:40 | 6h 40m | now to 2026-10-27 | Book the Blue Star Chios sailing | ||
| Blue Star Ferries | Blue Star Chios conventional | 21:15 | 07:30 | 10h 15m | 2026-08-20 to 2026-10-29 | Book the Blue Star Chios sailing |
Book ferry port and airport transfers here: Welcome Pickups →
Things to do when you arrive: Best Santorini tours on Viator
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.
Can you rent a car in Karpathos?
Yes, with desks in Pigadia near the port. It's worth it if you're staying several days: the drive north to Olympos, about 58km, runs along narrow, winding cliff roads that can turn genuinely windy, and buses only cover the main routes. For a short stay, buses and boat trips to the beaches are enough. Compare hire options at Discover Cars.
Next 14 days
Every scheduled departure from Karpathos to Santorini between 24 August 2026 and 6 September 2026.
| Date | Departs | Arrives | Duration | Vessel | Operator |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tue 2026-08-25 | 20:00 | 02:40 | 6h 40m | Blue Star Chios | Blue Star Ferries |
| Thu 2026-08-27 | 21:15 | 07:30 | 10h 15m | Blue Star Chios | Blue Star Ferries |
| Sun 2026-08-30 | 16:30 | 04:05 | 11h 35m | Blue Star Chios | Blue Star Ferries |
| Tue 2026-09-01 | 20:00 | 02:40 | 6h 40m | Blue Star Chios | Blue Star Ferries |
| Thu 2026-09-03 | 21:15 | 07:30 | 10h 15m | Blue Star Chios | Blue Star Ferries |
| Sun 2026-09-06 | 16:30 | 04:05 | 11h 35m | Blue Star Chios | Blue Star Ferries |
Frequently Asked Questions
How often do ferries run from Karpathos to Santorini?
Ferries from Karpathos (Pigadia) to Santorini (Athinios) are scheduled 6 times over the next 14 days, roughly 3 a week. In that fortnight there are departures on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. Operators have published this route's timetable as far as 29 October 2026, and nothing beyond that date has been announced yet.
Are there ferries from Karpathos to Santorini today?
No, there are no scheduled departures from Karpathos (Pigadia) to Santorini (Athinios) today. The next sailing in the published timetable is on 25 August 2026, at 20:00. Departures fall on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.
How many ferries run from Karpathos to Santorini this week?
3 sailings from Karpathos (Pigadia) to Santorini (Athinios) are scheduled over the next seven days, typically 1 a day on the days it runs.
What time is the first ferry from Karpathos to Santorini?
Scheduled departures from Karpathos (Pigadia) to Santorini (Athinios) leave at 16:30, 20:00 and 21:15.
How long is the ferry from Karpathos to Santorini?
The fastest crossing from Karpathos (Pigadia) to Santorini (Athinios) takes 6h 40m and the slowest 11h 35m.
Which ferry companies operate the Karpathos to Santorini route?
The Karpathos (Pigadia) to Santorini (Athinios) route is served by Blue Star Ferries. Crossings run on conventional ferries.
Tips for the Karpathos to Santorini ferry
- On a sunny day, the sheltered lee side of the vessel (the side facing away from the wind) is the most comfortable spot on the outer deck.
- On routes operated by a single company, focus on choosing the right class of service rather than comparing operators.
- Pets travel in a dedicated area on most Greek ferries; book your pet's space when you book your own ticket as places are limited.
- 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.
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