Ferry from Athens (Rafina) to Santorini (Athinios)

Golden Star Ferries run this route with the Golden Princess, taking a shade under six hours from Rafina down to Santorini. It is a conventional ferry rather than a high-speed craft, calling at intermediate Cycladic ports on the way south, which is why the journey takes longer than the direct fast services from Piraeus. The trade-off is a steadier ride, more space to move about and the ability to take a vehicle.

Ferries dock at Athinios, the commercial port set beneath the caldera cliffs, which is a working quay rather than a place to linger. Buses and transfers meet the arrivals and climb the switchback road up to Fira, from where the clifftop villages including Oia are easy to reach. The old port at Skala below Fira is used by excursion boats and reached by cable car, not by scheduled ferries.

The service runs roughly daily in season and is strongly seasonal, so it is largely a summer proposition. Departures and current fares are in the table below. Rafina's bus link to Athens airport makes this a useful option for anyone flying in and heading straight down to the southern Cyclades, and Santorini itself connects onward to Crete and most of the surrounding islands.

Rafina to Santorini Ferry Fares

Weekly Rafina to Santorini Ferry Schedule

The repeating pattern behind the dated timetable, without dates. Each row is one scheduled departure and the days it runs.

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 at Rafina port?

Yes, several international agencies including Sixt, Avis and Budget have desks at the port, roughly 25km from Athens airport by road. It's a useful pickup point if you're collecting a car before driving onward, rather than sailing, or heading into Athens after a ferry from the islands. Compare prices at Discover Cars.

Next 14 days

Every scheduled departure from Rafina to Santorini between 24 August 2026 and 6 September 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tips for the Rafina to Santorini ferry

• The KTEL bus from Athens Airport to Rafina port runs roughly hourly between around 04:30 and 22:30, picking up between arrivals exits 2 and 3, opposite the Sofitel hotel, and takes about 30 to 40 minutes.
• Rafina is far smaller than Piraeus, with a single terminal and no barrier gates, so arrive around 30 to 45 minutes before departure – boarding typically starts about half an hour beforehand and staff will point you to the right quay.
• There is no free parking directly at Rafina port; the municipal car park is about a three-minute walk from the terminals, with private sheltered lots also nearby – arrive with a plan for where you'll leave your car.
• On conventional ferries, the centre of the vessel at the waterline is the most stable point; if you feel unwell, move there and focus on the horizon.
• 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

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