Ferry from Santorini (Athinios) to Sitia (Crete)
6h 40m to 8h 10m · 1 operator
Santorini to Sitia at a glance
Ferries from Santorini (Athinios) to Sitia (Crete) 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 6h 40m and 8h 10m, depending on the vessel. The route is served by 1 operator: Blue Star Ferries. There are sailings on Wednesday 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 Sitia Route Map
The crossing from Santorini to Sitia is a long haul down the eastern edge of the Aegean, run by Blue Star Ferries on the conventional ship Blue Star Chios. Depending on the routeing and the calls it makes on the way, the passage takes somewhere between about six and a half and eight hours. It is a proper sea day rather than a hop, so settle in on deck or claim a seat inside early.
Sitia sits on the northeast coast of Crete, in Lassithi, and is a good deal more relaxed than Heraklio or Chania. It has the feel of a working Cretan town rather than a resort, with the Venetian-era Kazarma fortress looking down over the waterfront. From here you are well placed for eastern Crete, including the palm beach at Vai and the archaeological site at Zakros, and the town has its own small airport if you are flying out.
Sailings are infrequent, running a couple of times a week rather than daily, and they are concentrated in the warmer months. The current timetable, journey times and fares are shown in the table below. The same Blue Star routeing links Sitia onward to Kassos, Karpathos and Rhodes, so this crossing works well as one leg of a longer Aegean loop.
Santorini to Sitia Ferry Fares
Official maximum fares on subsidised sailings
These are ceilings set by ministerial decision for public-service (PSO) sailings, quoted net of VAT and port dues. They are the most an operator may charge on a subsidised departure, not a fare on sale, and they do not apply to commercial sailings on the same route.
| Ticket type | Category | Maximum, net | Valid to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passenger, conventional ferry | passenger | €17.99 | 2027-04-30 |
| Passenger, conventional ferry (vessel <10y) | passenger | €21.59 | 2027-04-30 |
| Passenger, high-speed | passenger | €35.98 | 2027-04-30 |
| Car up to 4.25m | vehicle | €59.02 | 2027-04-30 |
Weekly Santorini to Sitia 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 | 08:00 | 8h 10m | 2026-08-21 to 2026-10-30 | Book the Blue Star Chios sailing | ||
| Blue Star Ferries | Blue Star Chios conventional | 23:50 | 06:30 | 6h 40m | now to 2026-10-28 | Book the Blue Star Chios sailing |
Book ferry port and airport transfers here: Welcome Pickups →
Hiring a car
Do you need a car in Sitia?
Yes, a car is genuinely useful here. Sitia sits about 130km, roughly two hours' drive, east of Heraklion, on the quieter side of Crete. A limited KTEL bus reaches the palm forest at Vai (28km) in summer, but a car gives easier access to Toplou Monastery and Sitia's beaches. Rental offices operate in Sitia town and at the small local airport; compare prices 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 Sitia between 24 August 2026 and 6 September 2026.
| Date | Departs | Arrives | Duration | Vessel | Operator |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wed 2026-08-26 | 23:50 | 06:30 | 6h 40m | Blue Star Chios | Blue Star Ferries |
| Fri 2026-08-28 | 23:50 | 08:00 | 8h 10m | Blue Star Chios | Blue Star Ferries |
| Wed 2026-09-02 | 23:50 | 06:30 | 6h 40m | Blue Star Chios | Blue Star Ferries |
| Fri 2026-09-04 | 23:50 | 08:00 | 8h 10m | Blue Star Chios | Blue Star Ferries |
Frequently Asked Questions
How often do ferries run from Santorini to Sitia?
Ferries from Santorini (Athinios) to Sitia (Crete) are scheduled 4 times over the next 14 days, roughly 2 a week. In that fortnight there are departures on Wednesday 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 Sitia today?
No, there are no scheduled departures from Santorini (Athinios) to Sitia (Crete) today. The next sailing in the published timetable is on 26 August 2026, at 23:50. Departures fall on Wednesday and Friday.
How many ferries run from Santorini to Sitia this week?
2 sailings from Santorini (Athinios) to Sitia (Crete) 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 Sitia?
Scheduled departures from Santorini (Athinios) to Sitia (Crete) leave at 23:50.
How long is the ferry from Santorini to Sitia?
The fastest crossing from Santorini (Athinios) to Sitia (Crete) takes 6h 40m and the slowest 8h 10m.
Which ferry companies operate the Santorini to Sitia route?
The Santorini (Athinios) to Sitia (Crete) route is served by Blue Star Ferries. Crossings run on conventional ferries.
Tips for the Santorini to Sitia 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.
- A lightweight drybag or small tote is handy for beach days on islands – it doubles as your day bag on short crossings when you leave your main bag at the hotel.
Plan a journey
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