Santorini (Thira) - Athens (Rafina)
Ferry to Athens
Santorini (Thira) - Athens (Rafina)
Ferry to Athens
Fares for the Santorini (Thira) to Athens (Rafina) crossing usually range somewhere between $169* and $679*. Most travellers pay around $340* for a Santorini (Thira) Athens (Rafina) ferry ticket, and the cheapest fares on this route begin at $169*. Foot passengers can expect to pay roughly $340* on average. Bringing a car along typically brings the average fare up to $698*.
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 September 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.
Santorini (Thira) Athens (Rafina) sailings generally depart at around 14:15.
With a longer crossing time, a trip between Santorini (Thira) and Athens (Rafina) is better suited to a weekend away or an extended stay, so you get proper value out of the journey.
Yes, Golden Star Ferries carries vehicles on the Santorini (Thira) to Athens (Rafina) 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 Santorini (Thira) to Athens (Rafina) 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 Santorini (Thira) and Athens (Rafina).
Yes, Golden Star Ferries carries foot passengers between Santorini (Thira) and Athens (Rafina).
Pet owners are in luck — Golden Star Ferries allows pets on board between Santorini (Thira) and Athens (Rafina). .
Fares reflect searches from the last 30 days, exclude service fees, and were last checked September 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 Santorini (Thira) to Athens (Rafina) 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 Santorini (Thira) to Athens (Rafina) 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 Santorini (Thira) to Athens (Rafina) 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 Santorini (Thira) to Athens (Rafina) 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.
More routes than anyone else.
Compare fares, times & routes in one place.
Change plans easily with flexi tickets.
Book e-tickets & manage trips in-app.
Live ship tracking & real-time updates.
Top-rated customer support when you need it.
| Santorini (Thira) - Athens (Rafina) Ferry Route Prices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Foot Passenger | $340 | |
| Average Price with Car | $698 | |
| Average Price with Motorbike | $417 | |
| Average Cabin Price | $449 | |
| Santorini (Thira) - Athens (Rafina) Ferry Route Summary | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Cyclades Islands |
| Destination | Athens |
| No. of Operators | 1 |
| Operators | Golden Star Ferries |
| Average Price | $340 |
| Average Daily Sailings | 1 |
| Average Weekly Sailings | 6 |
| Average Sailing Duration | 6 h 5 m |
| Fastest Sailing Duration | 6 h 5 m |
| First Ferry | 14:15 |
| Last Ferry | 14:15 |
| Distance | 123 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 town of Rafina lies on the east coast of the Attica region of mainland Greece, on the shores of the Aegean Sea. The town is close to the town's of Artemida and Nea Makri and also to the Greek capital, Athens, which is around 25 km to the west. because of its proximity to Athens Rafina is popular with many Athenians who visit to enjoy the town's many fish restaurants that can be found lining the harbour. It is not uncommon to see the day's catch lying on beds of ice outside each restaurant.
In ancient times Rafina was named Arafinidon Alon but its history dates back to prehistoric times, but more specifically to pre-Hellenic times. In Askitario, to the south of Rafina, archaeologists have found a unique vase with a dog painted on it which has been dated back to 2,800 BC. Another significant find was near the town's port where a bronze foundry was discovered and is thought to be one of the oldest in Europe, and dates back to 1800 BC.
After the Port of Piraeus, Rafina's port is the second largest in Attica. Ferry services operating from the port depart to the southern part of Euboea and to the Cyclades islands.
