Ferry from Rhodes (Rodos) to Santorini (Athinios)

The Rhodes to Santorini ferry is one of the great Aegean crossings, linking two of the most visited islands in Greece. Rhodes, with its medieval old town and long sandy beaches on the eastern edge of the Dodecanese, sits a world apart from Santorini’s dramatic caldera cliffs and whitewashed villages — yet the ferry makes connecting them straightforward. Whether you’re island-hopping through the Cyclades or heading directly between the two, this route gives you a genuine taste of the open Aegean.

Service runs year-round, which is unusual for a route of this distance and makes it a reliable option even outside the summer season. On average, you can expect around one sailing per day across most of the year.

Rhodes to Santorini Ferry Fares

Weekly Rhodes 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.

Is it worth hiring a car in Rhodes?

Worth it if you're staying more than a couple of days, since the island is large and its two bus companies (Roda in the west, KTEL in the east) don't make it easy to combine both coasts in a day. The port is a 10-minute walk from Rhodes Old Town, with paid parking nearby. Compare local suppliers at Discover Cars.

Next 14 days

Every scheduled departure from Rhodes to Santorini between 4 September 2026 and 17 September 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tips for the Rhodes to Santorini ferry

• Rhodes has two separate ferry ports: large car ferries such as Blue Star Ferries use Akandia, while Dodekanisos Seaways catamarans and small boats to Symi depart from Kolona, just outside the Old Town walls – check your ticket for the correct one.
• Akandia port is roughly a 20-minute walk from the Old Town and has no shelter, seating or toilets while you wait, so it is more comfortable to wait in town and take a taxi straight to your ferry.
• Arrive at least one hour before departure to allow time to check in, since boarding for ferries from Rhodes typically closes around 20 minutes before the scheduled sailing time.
• If you want to avoid the worst of the meltemi, book morning departures from exposed Aegean ports in July and August – conditions are typically calmer before midday.
• 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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