Ios - Santorini (Thira)
Ferry to Cyclades Islands
Ios - Santorini (Thira)
Ferry to Cyclades Islands
Fares for the Ios to Santorini (Thira) crossing usually range somewhere between $13* and $381*. Most travellers pay around $126* for a Ios Santorini (Thira) ferry ticket, and the cheapest fares on this route begin at $13*. Foot passengers can expect to pay roughly $126* on average. Bringing a car along typically brings the average fare up to $364*.
Fares vary according to passenger count, vehicle type, the route itself and what time you sail. Figures come from fares searched in the previous 30 days, don't include service fees, and were last checked August 26.
There's a quick way to stack up ferry fares and operators from around the world side by side, so you can pick the crossing that best suits you. Getting in early tends to open up the widest choice of prices and sailing times.
Direct Ferries has discounts running throughout the year. Where a senior discount applies to your crossing, it's applied the moment you pick the matching age bracket in the passenger section of your search.
If you're a student or recent graduate, a 5% discount is up for grabs. Head to our partner Student Beans to confirm your status and you'll receive a code to enter at checkout.
A handful of Spanish and Italian ferry routes also offer a resident discount — choose the "Residents" option if it appears during your search and the lower fare is applied straight away. You'll usually need to show proof of address, like a residency card or certificate, when you check in.
Sailings on the Ios Santorini (Thira) route generally kick off from Ios at around 00:05, and the last departure of the day is usually around 23:30.
You certainly can — with a short crossing and sailings running daily, Ios to Santorini (Thira) is an easy day trip. Taking a vehicle, where possible, gives you the freedom to explore a bit further once you land.
Yes, Blue Star Ferries, Cyclades Fast Ferries, SeaJets & Golden Star Ferries carries vehicles on the Ios to Santorini (Thira) route. Check our Deal Finder for up-to-date car ferry pricing on this crossing.
Whether a caravan or campervan is welcome on board the Ios to Santorini (Thira) ferry comes down to the ship and operator running the sailing. Pop your travel details into our Deal Finder, and we'll check the operators on this route for you.
Bicycles aren't currently accepted on sailings between Ios and Santorini (Thira).
Yes, Blue Star Ferries, Cyclades Fast Ferries, SeaJets & Golden Star Ferries carries foot passengers between Ios and Santorini (Thira).
Pet owners are in luck — Blue Star Ferries, SeaJets & Golden Star Ferries allows pets on board between Ios and Santorini (Thira). Travelling with a pet on this crossing costs an average of $177.
Fares reflect searches from the last 30 days, exclude service fees, and were last checked August 26.
Before you bring a pet on board, it helps to have the following sorted:
It depends on which operator you're sailing with — some ferries keep pets in your vehicle for the whole trip, while others have dedicated pet areas, kennels, or even pet-friendly cabins. Our Deal Finder lays out the options so you can pick the crossing that works for your pet.
There's a bit to know before travelling with a guide or assistance dog. Let our customer service team know in advance, or mention it to the ferry operator when you book, so everything's arranged ahead of time.
Carry any certification or documentation your dog needs, since you could be asked to show it at boarding or partway through the crossing.
Rules for guide dogs and assistance dogs can differ from general pet policy, even on sailings where pets aren't otherwise allowed. Reach out to our customer service team to check what applies to your sailing, or visit our Special Assistance Help page for more detail.
Whether the Ios to Santorini (Thira) route has an overnight sailing depends on a mix of factors. Search with your travel dates, and we'll show you whether an overnight option exists, plus current timetables, crossing times and daytime alternatives.
Note that overnight sailings can occasionally take a bit longer than daytime crossings.
What you'll need to travel varies by route, so it pays to check ahead of your sailing. A valid passport is typically required for the Ios to Santorini (Thira) crossing, along with any visa or national ID required for your nationality. As rules depend on both where you're from and where you're headed, our Check-in, Travel Documents & Tickets guide is worth a read to avoid any hold-ups at check-in.
Booking couldn't be simpler — select your departure port, arrival port and travel date to see everything on offer. From there, you can weigh up alternative routes and departure times to land on the best fit.
Look for early-booking deals and flexible fare types, like upgrades or flexi-tickets, which give you room to change plans later. Double-check details such as passenger numbers and vehicle specs as you go, to keep the booking process painless.
You'll get a confirmation email the moment your booking goes through. From there, how your boarding pass turns up depends on the operator.
Some operators send the boarding pass straight away, while others want you to check in at the port. Where it's on offer, online check-in through the Direct Ferries app can save you time at the terminal.
Ticket desks tend to sit right by the ferry terminal. Building in some extra time before you sail means you won't be rushed collecting tickets and getting checked in.
Have your confirmation email and valid photo ID — a passport or identity card — ready at check-in. If a pet's travelling with you, bring their vaccination and insurance papers, and hold onto proof of address if you booked with a resident discount.
A gap in sailings from Ios to Santorini (Thira) on your chosen date usually comes down to something like a timetable adjustment, limited space, or a seasonal dip in service. Try a different date, or browse other options with our Route & Port finder.
Generally speaking, booking your Ios to Santorini (Thira) ferry sooner rather than later pays off — earlier bookings usually mean lower fares and more choice of departure times and cabins.
A few weeks' lead time is usually enough to catch a good deal, though fares can still move around depending on the season and what's left available.
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| Ios - Santorini (Thira) Ferry Route Prices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Foot Passenger | $126 | |
| Average Price with Car | $364 | |
| Average Cabin Price | $225 | |
| Ios - Santorini (Thira) Ferry Route Summary | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Cyclades Islands |
| Destination | Cyclades Islands |
| No. of Operators | 4 |
| Operators | Blue Star Ferries, Cyclades Fast Ferries, SeaJets & Golden Star Ferries |
| Average Price | $126 |
| Average Pet Price | $177 |
| Average Daily Sailings | 4 |
| Average Weekly Sailings | 27 |
| Average Sailing Duration | 40 m |
| Fastest Sailing Duration | 35 m |
| First Ferry | 00:05 |
| Last Ferry | 23:30 |
| Distance | 21 Nautical Miles |
* Prices subject to change, pricing is taken from last 30 days, last updated 1 August 2026.
Forming one of the Cyclades group of islands, the Greek island of Ios is located in the Aegean Sea and lies around mid way between the island of Naxos and the island of Santorini. The island's terrain is characterised by hills and cliffs that lead down to the sea on most sides of the island. Located on the north west coast is the island's port which is only a short distance from the village of Chora. The trip between Chora and the port can be made on foot which will take you along a steep donkey path, and takes around 15 minutes. The village is characterised by narrow paths and streets most of which have now been taken over by bars, restaurants, shops and night clubs to cater for tourists.
There are ferries from the island's port to Piraeus and Rafina with a crossing time of between 4 1/2 hours and 8 hours, depending on ferry type, route and destination. During the summer months Ios is also connected by ferry to the other islands of the Cyclades.
The Greek island of Santorini is one of the Cyclades group of islands that lies in the south Aegean Sea. The island has very much been shaped by its volcanic past which has created a rather unusual landscape in places. A popular site on the island is the water filled 'Caldera' crater and is surrounded by a wall of colourful cliffs which are packed full of charming houses. The island is also known for its lovely beaches, its busy port, its archaeological finds and the wonderful sunsets which are best viewed from the village of Oia, on the island's northernmost tip.
The island's beaches are distinctive in that they are mainly made up of dark volcanic sands, which can get very hot during the summer, and therefore a sun lounger or towel are an essential piece of kit. The best beaches tend to be located around the eastern coastline and always popular is the stretch found at Perissa. However, a little to the south is Perivolos Beach which is also lovely as is Red Beach which is close to ancient Akrotiri, where the red cliffs are hard to miss.
