Ferry from Santorini (Athinios) to Rhodes (Rodos)

Santorini to Rhodes is one of the longest scheduled crossings in the Aegean, taking anywhere from about twelve hours to seventeen depending on the calls made along the way. Blue Star Ferries operates it with the Blue Star Chios, a conventional ship built for this kind of distance. Most people travel it overnight or treat the daylight version as a slow tour of the southern islands, since the route threads past Crete's eastern tip and the smaller Dodecanese on the way.

Rhodes is the largest of the Dodecanese, tucked into the southeast Aegean close to the Turkish coast. Arriving travellers find a substantial island with a UNESCO-listed medieval Old Town built by the Knights of St John, alongside long beaches and a busy resort scene. Mandraki harbour, traditionally associated with the Colossus, sits at the heart of Rhodes Town.

The service runs a few times a fortnight rather than daily, so it needs planning around. Current departure dates, journey times and fares are listed in the table below. Rhodes is a hub in its own right, with onward ferries to the rest of the Dodecanese, Crete, Piraeus and Turkey, which makes it a natural end point for a long southern crossing like this.

Santorini to Rhodes Ferry Fares

Weekly Santorini to Rhodes Ferry Schedule

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

Hiring a car

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.

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 Rhodes between 24 August 2026 and 6 September 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tips for the Santorini to Rhodes 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.
• Once you arrive in Rhodes, the medieval walled Old Town – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – is one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Europe, with the Street of the Knights and the Palace of the Grand Master as its centrepieces. Tsambika Beach on the east coast and the ancient hilltop site of Lindos are the island's other headline attractions.

Plan a journey

Search for a connection between any two Greek ports, including journeys that need a change.