Rethymnon to Santorini Ferry

By Dave Briggs

Useful Resources for Your Greek Island Trip

Rethymnon to Santorini at a glance

Next published sailing: 15 May 2027

The next published sailing on this route is on 15 May 2027. The operators have published no sailings before that date. Over the last 12 months it ran from May to October, busiest in June (2 or 3 times a week).

Sailings a day, last 12 months

Tap a month to see how it ran

Month by month
MonthSailingsDays with a sailingHow often
November 202500 of 30no sailings
December 202500 of 31no sailings
January 202600 of 31no sailings
February 202600 of 28no sailings
March 202600 of 31no sailings
April 202600 of 30no sailings
May 202655 of 31about once a week
June 202699 of 302 or 3 times a week
July 202688 of 31about twice a week
August 202699 of 312 or 3 times a week
September 202699 of 302 or 3 times a week
October 202655 of 28about once a week

November 2025 · this month, a year ago

Days with a sailing0 of 30
Sailings0 none

Planning a trip on this route?

Email us at [email protected] with the ferry route and the dates you want to sail. We will reply with the latest information, and send you one more email when the timetable is officially published.

Check the latest sailings on Ferryscanner

These are the sailings we recorded on this route from November 2025 to October 2026. They show what ran then, not a forecast: timetables change from year to year.

The Rethymno to Santorini ferry sails on Tuesdays and Thursdays between late May and the end of October.

Map showing the high-speed ferry route north-east from Rethymno on Crete across the Sea of Crete to Athinios on Santorini.

Rethymno Santorini Ferries

The historic town of Rethymno located in Crete can be a good place from which to make a visit to Santorini by ferry.

During the summer months, ferries leave from Rethymno Ferry Port in Crete twice per week, and sail directly to Santorini island.

Typically, the ferry from Rethymno to Santorini is operated by the Seajets ferry company.

The journey time for the Rethymno to Santorini ferry crossing is about 2 hours and 20 minutes as it is on a fast ferry.

Check the latest timetables and book ferry tickets with: Ferryscanner

Rethymnon to Santorini Day Trip

While some people may be traveling on to Santorini as part of a Greek island hopping trip in order to stay there, others may be interested in taking a day trip only.

passenger waiting area rethymno ferry port

Fortunately, (at least currently!), the Rethymno Santorini ferry timetable is designed to allow a return trip on the same day.

The current ferry schedule allows for about 7 hours of sightseeing time in Santorini between the Rethymno to Santorini ferry arrival and the return trip.

Keep in mind though, that ferry ticket prices for passengers wanting to travel between Rethymno and Santorini in Greece are not cheap. In 2023, the best price was just over a hundred Euros one way!

Still, if it’s your only opportunity to see the pretty Cyclades island of Santorini it could be worth doing.

Also read: What currency do they use in Crete?

If traveling during the high season you should book the tickets for Rethymno to Santorini ferry trips as far in advance as possible.

For the latest fares and schedules for the Rethymno Santorini ferry route, use: Ferryscanner

10 Useful Tips for Taking the Rethymno Santorini Ferry in Greece

  1. Book in Advance: Especially during peak travel season, Rethymno to Santorini ferries can get booked quickly. To ensure a spot, reserve your tickets ahead of time.
  2. Arrive Early: Arrive at least a half hour before departure at Rethymno ferry port to account for any unexpected delays and to ensure a smooth boarding process.
  3. Pack Light: If possible, try to travel with a small suitcase or backpack. You’ll find it easier to leave the suitcase below decks, and just go up to your seat with a smaller carry-on.
  4. Bring Snacks and Water: Ferries have limited food options on board, and they are always expensive. Pack some snacks and plenty of water to stay hydrated during the journey.
  5. Dress in Layers: The coldness of the air conditioning on Greek ferries is not to be underestimated!
  6. Check the Weather Forecast: Weather conditions can affect ferry schedules. Always check the weather forecast before sailing and get in touch with the ferry operator if you need to.
  7. Be Aware of Sea Sickness: If you’re prone to sea sickness, consider taking preventative medication. Ginger tablets are excellent.
  8. Keep Valuables Safe: Keep your valuable belongings in your hand luggage with you rather than leave them below decks.
  9. Respect the Seating Arrangement: If your ferry ticket has a seat number, please respect it. If it doesn’t, it’s a free-seating arrangement.
  10. Relax and Enjoy: Greek ferry travel is an experience to be enjoyed on your holidays!

FAQs

Some of the questions that people have when they want to make sure of whether this ferry is for them before booking include:

How long does the ferry from Rethymno to Santorini take?

The journey time for the Rethymno to Santorini ferry crossing is approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes on a fast ferry.

What days does the Rethymno to Santorini ferry operate?

The Rethymno to Santorini ferry operates twice a week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, between late May and the end of October.

Can I do a day trip from Rethymno to Santorini?

Yes, it is possible to do a day trip from Rethymno to Santorini. The current ferry schedule allows for about 7 hours of sightseeing time in Santorini between the Rethymno to Santorini ferry arrival and the return trip.

Are cars allowed on the Rethymno Santorini ferry?

The current ferry sailing between Rethymno and Santorini can take vehicles onboard. Keep in mind that car rental companies generally don’t allow for rental cars to be taken on board.

Related: Heraklion Ferry Port

Last published timetable

Shown as history: these sailings are no longer bookable, but they are how the route ran when it was last scheduled.

DepartsArrivesDaysValidOperatorVessel
08:0010:20Satuntil 17 Oct 2026SeajetsExpress Jet