Santorini (Thira) - Athens (Piraeus)
Ferries to Athens
Santorini (Thira) - Athens (Piraeus)
Ferries to Athens
On the Santorini (Thira) Athens (Piraeus) route, fares generally fall between $77* and $577*. On average, a Santorini (Thira) Athens (Piraeus) ferry ticket costs around $244*, with the lowest Santorini (Thira) Athens (Piraeus) fares starting at $77*. Foot passengers pay an average of $229*. Traveling with a car adds up to an average fare of $708*.
Actual fares depend on passenger numbers, vehicle type, chosen route and sailing time. Figures are based on fares searched over the past 30 days, exclude service fees, and were last refreshed September 26.
Compare fares, operators and sailing times from across the globe in one place, then book with confidence. Booking ahead is the easiest way to lock in a better price and a wider choice of departures.
Yes. Direct Ferries runs a number of discounts throughout the year. If a senior discount applies to your route, it's applied automatically once you select the right age range in the passenger options during your search.
Students and recent graduates can save 5% on their booking. Simply register with our partner Student Beans to verify your status, and you'll be issued a discount code to apply at checkout.
On several Spanish and Italian routes, residents can also access a discounted fare — look out for the "Residents" option during your search, which applies the reduced price automatically. Keep in mind you'll be asked to show proof of residency, such as a registration certificate or an ID card showing your address, at check-in.
Santorini (Thira) Athens (Piraeus) sailings usually begin with a departure from Santorini (Thira) at approximately 03:00, with the final sailing of the day leaving around 15:45.
Given the length of the crossing, a trip between Santorini (Thira) and Athens (Piraeus) tends to work better as a weekend getaway or longer stay, so you can get the most out of the journey.
Yes, Blue Star Ferries, Cyclades Fast Ferries & SeaJets operates car-friendly sailings between Santorini (Thira) and Athens (Piraeus). Use our Deal Finder to check live pricing for taking a vehicle on this route.
Whether a campervan or caravan is permitted on the Santorini (Thira) to Athens (Piraeus) crossing depends on the ship and operator running your preferred sailing. Enter your travel details into our Deal Finder, and we'll compare the operators on this route to confirm your options.
Bicycles currently aren't accepted on any of the ferries running between Santorini (Thira) and Athens (Piraeus).
Yes, Blue Star Ferries, Cyclades Fast Ferries & SeaJets accepts foot passengers on sailings between Santorini (Thira) and Athens (Piraeus).
Good news for pet owners — Blue Star Ferries & SeaJets allows pets on board sailings between Santorini (Thira) and Athens (Piraeus). Traveling with a pet on this route costs an average of $363.
Figures reflect fares searched over the last 30 days, exclude service fees, and were last updated September 26.
When you bring a pet on board, you'll typically need to have the following ready:
This varies by operator — on some ferries, pets must stay in your vehicle for the whole crossing, while others provide dedicated pet zones, pet-friendly cabins, or lounge areas. Check our Deal Finder to compare the pet arrangements on offer and choose the crossing that suits you and your pet best.
A few things are worth knowing before you travel with a guide or assistance dog. We'd suggest letting our customer service team know, or flagging it with the ferry operator when you book, that you'll be travelling with an assistance animal.
Bring along any relevant certification and paperwork too, since you may need to show it at boarding or at some point during the crossing.
Even on sailings where pets generally aren't permitted, different rules often apply to guide dogs and assistance dogs. Get in touch with our customer service team to confirm the specific policy for your sailing, or visit our Special Assistance Help page for general guidance.
Overnight sailings on the Santorini (Thira) to Athens (Piraeus) route aren't guaranteed and depend on a range of factors. Run a search with your travel details and our results will show whether an overnight option is available, along with current timetables, crossing times, and day-sailing alternatives.
Bear in mind that overnight crossings can run a little longer than their daytime equivalents.
Document requirements aren't the same on every route, so it's worth confirming what you'll need before you travel. A valid passport is generally required for the Santorini (Thira) to Athens (Piraeus) crossing, alongside any visas or national ID your nationality calls for. Exact requirements depend on your citizenship and the rules of your destination country, so for the latest guidance and to avoid delays at check-in, take a look at our Check-in, Travel Documents & Tickets guide.
Booking is straightforward: enter your departure and arrival ports along with your travel date to pull up every available sailing and fare. You can also browse alternative routes and departure times to find the option that works best for you.
Keep an eye out for early-booking savings and flexible ticket types, including upgrades or flexi-fares that let you amend or cancel later on. For a hassle-free booking, double-check the details you enter, such as passenger numbers and any vehicle specifications.
As soon as your booking is confirmed, you'll get a confirmation email. Exactly how your boarding pass is issued after that depends on which operator you've booked with.
Some operators send your boarding pass out the moment you book, while others require check-in at the port itself. Where it's offered, online check-in is also available through the Direct Ferries app, saving you a step at the terminal.
You'll typically find the ticket desk close to the ferry terminal itself. It's a good idea to arrive a little early so you have plenty of time to collect your tickets and get checked in without rushing.
At check-in, have your confirmation email ready along with valid photo ID, such as a passport or identity card. If you're travelling with a pet, bring along their vaccination and insurance paperwork, and if you booked using a resident discount, be prepared to show proof of address too.
A few things can explain a lack of sailings on your chosen date: a temporary schedule change, limited space, or a seasonal shift in the timetable are the most common. It's worth trying a nearby date or exploring alternative routes using our Route & Port finder.
As a rule, the earlier you book your Santorini (Thira) to Athens (Piraeus) ferry, the better. Booking ahead tends to secure lower fares along with a wider pick of departure times and cabin or seating options.
Aim to book at least a few weeks ahead to make the most of the best available offers, keeping in mind that fares can shift depending on the season and how much space is left.
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| Santorini (Thira) - Athens (Piraeus) Ferry Route Prices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Foot Passenger | $229 | |
| Average Price with Car | $708 | |
| Average Price with Motorcycle | $354 | |
| Average Campervan Price | $896 | |
| Average Cabin Price | $332 | |
| Santorini (Thira) - Athens (Piraeus) Ferry Route Summary | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Cyclades Islands |
| Destination | Athens |
| No. of Operators | 3 |
| Operators | Blue Star Ferries, Cyclades Fast Ferries & SeaJets |
| Average Price | $244 |
| Average Pet Price | $363 |
| Average Daily Sailings | 5 |
| Average Weekly Sailings | 33 |
| Average Sailing Duration | 5 h 57 m |
| Fastest Sailing Duration | 5 h 10 m |
| First Ferry | 03:00 |
| Last Ferry | 15:45 |
| Distance | 137 Nautical Miles |
* Prices subject to change, pricing is taken from last 30 days, last updated 1 September 2026.
Located in the southern Aegean Sea is the Greek island of Santorini and lies around 200 km to the south east of the Greek mainland. It forms part of the Cycladic group of islands and is the only location in Europe to have a hot desert climate. A popular pastime for visitors to Santorini is to take a cruise to the island's three islets, which were created in ancient times during a volcanic eruption. The islets are called Nea Kammeni, Palea Kammeni and Thirassia and provide an excellent vantage point for visitors to see the volcano, being located to the west of the island. The island's capital is Fira and is full of typical Cycladic houses with whitewashed walls, blue domed churches and stepped streets full of shops, cafes, restaurants and bars.
The island of Santorini has two ports. The main port is Athinios, where all the ferry and commercial boats arrive. There is also the Old Port which is mostly used for cruise ships. From the main port, ferries can be taken to Piraeus, Rafina and to the other islands in the Cyclades. Both conventional and high speed ferries operate on these routes.
The Greek city and port of Piraeus is one of the largest ports in the whole of the Mediterranean, and the third largest in the world, and has become a major hub for the ferry network that spans the Aegean Sea. Piraeus is an important city in its own right despite the fact that it is frequently considered to be a suburb of Athens, the Greek capital, which is only a very short distance away. Despite its proximity to Athens, Piraeus' waterfront has its own distinct appearance and visitors will see that the most appealing parts of the city are located around its eastern quarter, alongside both Mikrolimano Harbour and Zea Marina. A popular event in Piraeus is the Ecocinema International Film Festival which is held annually in late February and is where a number of films are screened at the Atticon Cinema and the Cineac Cinema, which are both located in the city's Town Hall Square.
Full of restaurants, bars and nightclubs, the waterfront district was greatly redeveloped in time for the Athens Olympics and as a result a new harbour front promenade was created that is lined with trees and passes the medieval city walls. The walls serve as a reminder and as an insight into the city's rich past.
