Ferry from Santorini (Athinios) to Chalki (Halki)
9h 45m to 15h 15m · 1 operator
Santorini to Chalki at a glance
Ferries from Santorini (Athinios) to Chalki (Halki) are scheduled 4 times over the next 14 days, roughly 2 a week. Departures in that window are at 23:50. The crossing takes between 9h 45m and 15h 15m, depending on the vessel. The route is served by 1 operator: Blue Star Ferries. There are sailings on Monday and Friday during the next fortnight. Operators have published this timetable as far as 30 October 2026.
Operators have published this route's timetable to 30 October 2026. Sailings beyond that date have not been announced yet.
Santorini to Chalki Route Map
This is a long southern crossing, taking Blue Star Ferries' Blue Star Chios from Santorini out to the small island of Chalki, west of Rhodes. Depending on the calls the ship makes, the passage runs from about ten hours to around fifteen. It is very much a sea journey rather than a transfer, and most people take it overnight or treat the deck as their day out.
Chalki is tiny even by Dodecanese standards, sitting just off the west coast of Rhodes and largely undeveloped. The port and only real settlement is Emborio, where pastel neoclassical houses line the harbour front. Travellers come for quiet beaches and a slow pace, and the island is small enough to see on foot over a couple of days.
Sailings are sparse, running a couple of times a fortnight and seasonally at that, so the timetable below is worth reading carefully before you commit. Journey times and fares are listed there too. If the direct sailing does not line up, Rhodes is the usual alternative jumping-off point, with short local crossings over to Emborio.
Santorini to Chalki Ferry Fares
No published fares for this route yet.
Weekly Santorini to Chalki 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 | 23:50 | 15:05 | 15h 15m | 2026-08-21 to 2026-10-30 | Book the Blue Star Chios sailing | ||
| Blue Star Ferries | Blue Star Chios conventional | 23:50 | 09:35 | 9h 45m | now to 2026-10-26 | Book the Blue Star Chios sailing |
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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 Santorini to Chalki between 24 August 2026 and 6 September 2026.
| Date | Departs | Arrives | Duration | Vessel | Operator |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon 2026-08-24 | 23:50 | 09:35 | 9h 45m | Blue Star Chios | Blue Star Ferries |
| Fri 2026-08-28 | 23:50 | 15:05 | 15h 15m | Blue Star Chios | Blue Star Ferries |
| Mon 2026-08-31 | 23:50 | 09:35 | 9h 45m | Blue Star Chios | Blue Star Ferries |
| Fri 2026-09-04 | 23:50 | 15:05 | 15h 15m | Blue Star Chios | Blue Star Ferries |
Frequently Asked Questions
How often do ferries run from Santorini to Chalki?
Ferries from Santorini (Athinios) to Chalki (Halki) are scheduled 4 times over the next 14 days, roughly 2 a week. In that fortnight there are departures on Monday and Friday. Operators have published this route's timetable as far as 30 October 2026, and nothing beyond that date has been announced yet.
Are there ferries from Santorini to Chalki today?
Yes, there is 1 sailing from Santorini (Athinios) to Chalki (Halki) today. Departure time: 23:50.
How many ferries run from Santorini to Chalki this week?
2 sailings from Santorini (Athinios) to Chalki (Halki) are scheduled over the next seven days, typically 1 a day on the days it runs.
What time is the first ferry from Santorini to Chalki?
Scheduled departures from Santorini (Athinios) to Chalki (Halki) leave at 23:50.
How long is the ferry from Santorini to Chalki?
The fastest crossing from Santorini (Athinios) to Chalki (Halki) takes 9h 45m and the slowest 15h 15m.
Which ferry companies operate the Santorini to Chalki route?
The Santorini (Athinios) to Chalki (Halki) route is served by Blue Star Ferries. Crossings run on conventional ferries.
Tips for the Santorini to Chalki ferry
- Arrive at Athinios port at least 45 minutes before departure – the switchback access road down the caldera cliff often backs up in summer, and boarding can start earlier than the printed departure time.
- If you're staying in Oia, note that no bus runs directly to or from Athinios port – you'll need to change at Fira, adding a ticket and a wait, so a taxi or pre-booked transfer is usually more practical.
- Collect paper tickets from the Nomikos or Dakoutros travel agency booths at the port as soon as you arrive, rather than waiting until boarding – queues build quickly as departure time approaches.
- If you're travelling by public bus, stow large luggage in the storage compartment underneath rather than carrying it aboard, as space inside is limited, especially on the busy Fira–Oia route.
- If you are joining a longer island-hopping route and not returning to the same base, travel with everything you need from the start – you cannot go back for forgotten items.
Plan a journey
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