Santorini Ferry Port

by Mary Howard
- June 15, 2024

Popular Ferry Routes

Table of Contents

Santorini Ferry Port vs Santorini Cruise Port

Santorini island has two ports: one for ferries and one for cruise ships. The ferry port is Athinios Port, also called the “New Port” or “Thira Port.” The aged Port of Santorini (aka Skala) accommodates cruise ship tender boats and some private tour boats. All passenger and vehicle ferries serving Santorini arrive and depart at Athinios Port.

Santorini Ferry Port Transportation

Traveling between Athinios Port and destinations on the island of Santorini will require transportation as the distances make walking impractical. Public bus or private vehicles like taxis, cars, and shuttles are options, with the bus generally being the easiest and most affordable method.

Buses at Santorini Ferry Port

From the Port: Public transportation on Santorini take travelers from Athinios ferry terminal to Fira, the island`s central hub, after each ferry docking. They wait on the left side when disembarking the boat. Store any luggage either below the bus – usually the driver awaits outside to provide tickets and guidance, if not tickets are sold onboard. Cash payment of €2.30 is required for each passenger; the approximate 20 minute ride. Another ticket must be purchased to continue from Fira to other destinations, as timetables show at the Fira stop. Buses on Santorini are inexpensive, comfortable, reasonably frequent and generally reliable. The main Fira station seems hectic but is easy to navigate; I don`t recommend the bus if changing at Oia with luggage – high demand makes it difficult to secure space simultaneously for yourself and gear above and below. The current schedule appears on the official transportation website.
To the Port: Public transportation to the Athinios ferry port in Santorini departs solely from Fira; if lodging elsewhere, travelers must initially take the bus to Fira and then change vehicles (and purchase an additional ticket) to Athinios harbor. The daily Fira-Athinios bus schedule adapts to ferry timetables, and is posted one day ahead; it is not outlined on the website timetable.

Taxis at Santorini Ferry Port

North of St Pierre the seaside road continues to the scenic hamlet of Le Prêcheur before ending at a trail leading to a couple stunning and remote beaches. Inland, the town of Le Morne Rouge sits below Mont Pelée – more about the volcano can be learned at La Maison des Volcans. It’s possible to drive directly to the base of the volcano where a restaurant is located, but reaching the summit (4,583ft/1,397m) necessitates taking one of the more strenuous hiking routes originating here.

Taxis on the island of Santorini do not use meters, so fares should be negotiated ahead of time to avoid unanticipated costs. If a price is not set up front, drivers may charge whatever amount they please upon arrival. A taxi from the ferry port to towns like Fira, Firostefani or Imerovigli is estimated around €30 to €35; €30 to €45 from the port to Oia. Expect rates to be higher in the evenings and after midnight. Payment for these taxis is only possible with cash in euros – credit cards cannot be used.
Taxis in Greece are limited to four passengers maximum.

Private Car and Shuttle Service at Santorini Ferry

. Costs are set and paid beforehand, so everything is arranged prior to arrival. Upon booking, a confirmation email is sent along with a photo of the driver for identification at the port. Drivers monitor ferries and await arrivals with welcome signs. Child seats can be ordered ahead of the trip.
Welcome Pickups costs around the same as pre-booked taxis (€35 to €40 to Fira, Firostefani, or Imerovigli; €40 to €50 to Oia), but being prepaid means you won`t need cash on hand.

Car Rental & Parking at the Ferry Port

- Based on my own encounters, one of the simplest methods to pre-book a car rental in Santorini online through RentalCars.com. They utilize reliable international brands and their straightforward website allows effortless identification of the optimal deal. If you’re arriving at the Santorini port, best pick-up places are either Downtown Fira (take the bus up to Fira from the port and walk to the rental car office: most of the rental car offices are within a 5-minute walk from the bus station) or the Santorini airport ( pre-book private transfer from the port to the airport, and then pick up your rental car there).

Oia (a more peaceful area than Fira though still with shopping, dining, and some nightlife) and Imerovigli (outstanding caldera and sunset views, higher priced hotels, and several exceptional restaurants) are also wise choices for initial visitors to Santorini.

Vehicles crowd the small, loosely organized car park at Santorini port when ferries arrive or depart, creating busy conditions. Picking up a rental car directly from the port is not suggested due to the activity levels.

Santorini Port to the Airport

For transportation between Santorini`s port and airport during high season, there is occasionally a shuttle service operating. But there is no regularly scheduled transportation directly connecting the harbor and airport. To travel from the port to the airport when the direct route is unavailable, you first take the bus from the dock up to Fira, then switch to another bus (paying an added fare) to the airfield; buses run approximately hourly between Fira and the airport. The fare to go from the harbor to Fira by bus is €2.30 for a 20-minute ride, and the bus from Fira to the airport costs €1.80 for 10 minutes. Payment is in cash only. ( Santorini Bus Timetable)
There is often a handful of Taxis waiting at the port after the arrival of a ferry, but sometimes not – and, as there are only 25 taxis that serve the entire island, your chances of securing one are low. Especially if you have a flight to catch, it’s best not to rely on a taxi. Pre-book a ride via Welcome Pickups instead.
A pre-arranged ride from Welcome Pickups from Athinios Port to the Santorini airport will cost around €50 – comparable to a pre-scheduled taxi. Drivers are English-speaking, monitor the ferry schedule for delays, and await you upon your arrival at the port with a welcome sign. Child seats are accessible upon request.

Santorini Port to Fira

- One of the easiest and most affordable means of travel from Athinios port to Fira is the local bus system. The buses in Santorini are clean, comfortable, and reliable. They are always waiting at the port upon arrival of ferries. Look for buses parked on your left side after disembarking the ferry. Pay the driver prior to boarding or sometimes on board, store your luggage underneath, and select your seat. The fare from Athinios port to Fira is €2.30 per person and takes around 20 minutes. Cash payment is required for bus fares. The Fira bus station is centrally located near the beginning of the pedestrian-only promenade. ( Map)

Over on Lake Ashi, many menus feature local river fish varieties, black sea fish, and tiny native ocean animals (“wakasagi”). Daimasa Honten in Hakone-machi is a reliable selection. Nearby, Tatsumi Garden skillfully prepares top-notch soups. The Japanese-style fried poultry at Hakone Karaage Karatto (in Moto-Hakone) is also savory, while basic Hiroshiya serves all the staples (soba, ramen, katsudon), and lake catches.

Transport vehicles sometimes await at the port after the arrival of a ferry, but not always. Only 25 taxis exist on the entire island, so the chances of securing one are low. It is significantly safer to pre-book a ride via Welcome Pickups than to hope for a taxi. Additionally, Welcome Pickups trips are paid beforehand (Santorini taxis only accept cash), larger van-sized rides are available (Greece strictly limits taxis to 4 passengers), and you can arrange for a child safety seat if needed.
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Santorini Port to Oia

There is no direct transportation from Athinios Port to Oia without transferring. Getting to Oia by bus necessitates changing at the somewhat chaotic bus station in Fira; the Fira-Oia route is the most heavily utilized path on the island, and it can be difficult to safeguard a place for both one`s luggage (below the bus) and oneself (inside the bus) before the bus reaches full capacity. Unless you are traveling without baggage, I do not advocate taking the bus from Athinios port directly to Oia. The fare from Athinios port to Fira is €2.30/individual, and the trip takes about 20 minutes; the fare from Fira to Oia is €1.80/individual, and the trip lasts around half an hour. Bus fares must be paid in cash. ( Santorini Bus Timetable)
. Drivers are English-speaking, monitor the ferry schedule, and wait for you at the port with a welcome sign. Welcome Pickups fares are prepaid and will cost around €50 from the port to Oia – the same as a prebooked taxi ride. Car seats are available upon request.
Taxis may wait at the port after ferry arrivals, but not always. With only 25 taxis on the whole island, chances of getting one soon after disembarking are low – unless you hurry and don`t hesitate. Pre-booking a ride with Welcome Pickups is less risky than hoping for a taxi. Welcome Pickups also has benefits over taxis: payment made online beforehand (taxis on Santorini only accept cash), larger vehicles can be arranged (Greek taxis limit 4 passengers), and child seats are bookable if needed.
Some of my favorite Oia hotels offer pre-arranged complimentary port transfer or will arrange a pre-booked taxi for their guests.

Santorini Port to Imerovigli

- Taking the bus is the most cost-effective way to travel from Athinios port to Imerovigli. Clean, comfortable and reliable buses are continuously awaiting passengers at the port following a ferry arrival; find the local buses parked to your left upon disembarking, pay the driver prior to boarding (or sometimes onboard), store your luggage underneath, and select your seat. Cash payment is required for bus fares. There is no direct bus route from the port to Imerovigli; the trip involves a transfer (and additional fare) at the Fira bus station. The fare from Athinios port to Fira is €2.30/person (20-minute trip), the fare from Fira to Imerovigli is also €1.80/person (also 20 minutes). Buses to Imerovigli depart hourly from the Fira bus station from 8am to 10pm. ( Santorini Bus Timetable) The Imerovigli bus stop is situated near the town entrance, a 5 to 10-minute walk to most cliffside hotels. ( Map)
- . English-speaking drivers communicate about your trip in advance, monitor the ferry schedule for delays or changes, and wait with a welcome sign upon your arrival. A pre-paid Welcome Pickups fare from the port to Imerovigli will be around €40, similar to a pre-scheduled taxi. Vehicle seats are available upon request.
- I don’t recommend solely relying on a taxi to get from the port to Imerovigli. There are only 25 on the island, and often there will be none waiting at the port after a ferry arrival. Pre-book a ride via Welcome Pickups instead: it’s arranged beforehand (no stressing about finding a taxi), paid for upfront (taxis on Santorini only take cash), you can book a larger van-sized ride if needed (Greek taxis have a strict 4-passenger limit), and you can arrange for a child seat if needed.

Many highly-rated hotels in Imerovigli such as those detailed at /imerovigli-hotels provide complimentary port transfers or allow guests to pre-arrange airport pickup. Visitors should contact these hotels ahead of time to coordinate transportation

Santorini Port to Kamari

Taking public transportation is the most cost-effective way to travel from the Santorini ferry dock to Kamari, and it’s relatively straightforward to do so. Santorini buses are clean, comfortable, and generally dependable, and there are always buses waiting at the port after a ferry arrival. Local buses will be parked on your left as you disembark the ferry; pay the driver prior to boarding (or sometimes on the bus itself), store your luggage under the bus, and you’re ready to go. Note fares are only paid with cash. There is no direct bus route from the port to Kamari; the journey requires transferring (and paying an additional fare) at the Fira transportation hub. The fare from Athinios port to Fira is €2.30/individual (20-minute trip), and the fare from Fira to Kamari is €1.80/person (25-30 minutes). Buses to Kamari depart regularly from the Fira transportation hub from 7am to 11:30pm – typically every 20 minutes or so. ( Santorini Bus Timetable) The Kamari bus stop is situated in downtown Kamari, a 5 to 15-minute walk to most Kamari hotels. ( Map)
The most straightforward means of traveling from the Santorini Ferry Port to Kamari is pre-booking a ride with Welcome Pickups. English-speaking drivers monitor ferry schedules for delays or changes, awaiting passengers with a sign at the port upon disembarking. Rides are pre-arranged and prepaid; cost from port to Kamari is around €40, comparable to a booked taxi. Child seats can be requested.
Travelers arriving by boat at the port of Imerovigli should avoid solely dependent on taxis for transportation to their destination, as there are only a small number of taxis available on the island. It`s unlikely a taxi will be waiting at the port upon arrival or easily accessible even if present due to limited options. A preferable choice is pre-booking a ride via Welcome Pickups in advance. This ensures transportation is arranged and paid for ahead of time, removing stress over finding a taxi or having sufficient cash. It also allows for reservation of a larger vehicle like a minivan, as local taxis strictly limit passenger capacity. Child seats can be requested if needed as well through this service.
Numerous of the highest rated Kamari hotels will offer complimentary port transfer or pre-arrange transfer for their guests. Contact the hotel in advance to organize the transfer.

Tickets for Santorini Ferries

• Boat ticket website – The best site for booking and buying ferry tickets.

How Early to Arrive for Santorini Ferry Departures?

The Santorini ferry port handles large volumes of traffic, especially during the peak summer months. Due to the high levels of activity, it`s advised to arrive at least one hour before the scheduled departure time of your ferry. This provides a suitable buffer to obtain tickets (prioritize this step initially as lines can grow long just before departure) and relax at the port, reassured that your place on the vessel is confirmed. In addition to a passenger waiting area, Athinios Port also has a few compact markets and cafes; it’s simple and enjoyable to pick up a quick meal or drink while waiting.

Should I buy my ferry tickets in advance or at the port?

Santorini is a popular Greek island for hopping between destinations by ferry, so securing ferry tickets ahead of time is wise – particularly for travel spanning June through September. During spring, autumn, and winter, showing up at the port an hour in advance to purchase tickets usually suffices, but booking beforehand if possible suits me better for certainty. FerryHopper.com offers an easy search function to explore ferry routes, schedules, and pricing whether obtaining tickets ahead online or at the dock. Ferryhopper also professionally informs customers of any ferry modifications, cancellations, or delays; purchasing in advance through their website earns my recommendation. Most ferry lines provide e-tickets bookable online via Ferryhopper. Other advance tickets can be collected at the port one hour before departure.

Where are the ticket kiosks in the Santorini Ferry Port?

There are two travel bureaus where you can obtain ferry admissions at Athinios Port, situated within the row of structures opposite the ferry dock: Nomikos and Dakoutros. If you have booked in advance via Ferryhopper and need to collect admissions, you can do so at Nomikos.

Do Greek ferries use e-tickets?

Now most Greek ferry companies offer electronic tickets, which removes the need to collect physical tickets at the port. After booking e-tickets on FerryHopper.com, travellers will receive a confirmation email containing links for web check-in. Upon online check-in on the day of departure, a boarding pass can then be downloaded to print or keep on a mobile device to present when boarding the ferry.

Delivery of Santorini Ferry Tickets

Some ferry companies allow tickets to be sent in advance to your accommodation, however it`s best not to do this. Schedule changes are frequent, and once physically holding your tickets, any cancellation or modification can only be handled in-person through a ferry line representative – for a fee. It`s considerably easier to reserve e-tickets or pick up paper ferry passes about an hour before departure at the port.

Santorini Port Ferry Schedules

FerryHopper.com maintains up-to-date schedules and prices for Greek ferries, serving as an excellent resource to purchase tickets. Even though overbooking rarely occurs, for peace of mind I suggest reserving seats 2 to 3 months in advance.

Staying Near the Santorini Ferry Port

There are no hotels near the Santorini ferry port. Regardless of where one stays on the island, a taxi, bus, or pre-booked transfer will be required to get to and from the port, so generally moving lodgings just to be near the ferry is not advised.
Fira, the town closest to Athinios Port, is the sole location with direct buses to and from the port. All other towns necessitate a transfer in Fira. Amongst the most convenient Fira lodgings for the bus to the port are Angel Luxury Suites (luxury), Atlantis Hotel (mid-range), and Petini’s Place (budget).
On the off chance that you’re taking a taxi or reserving a ride with Welcome Pickups, there’s little contrast in cost and time to achieve between any Santorini town and the port, so remain in your favored town and don’t stress an excessive amount about accommodation.

Santorini Ferry Port Photos

about me

Welcome to my travel website! I’m Mary Howard, an American who has been exploring the world full-time for 8 years.

Together with my husband, Intan, we often find ourselves in our second home, Bali, but our adventures take us to exciting destinations all over the globe.

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