Naxos to Santorini Ferry: Boats, Ports and How to Book

Yes, a direct ferry connects Naxos and Santorini, run by Blue Star Ferries and SeaJets. The crossing takes roughly 1 to 2½ hours depending on the boat, and high-speed ferries usually cost more than the conventional ones. Book ahead for summer, expect some lateness, and sort out your ride from the Santorini port before you land.

Which ferry companies run Naxos to Santorini?

Blue Star runs large conventional ships, and SeaJets runs high-speed catamarans. Some SeaJets boats carry passengers without vehicles, so if you're bringing a car, look for a sailing with space for vehicles.

The Blue Star ships feel a little like a small cruise ship, with cafés, lounges, outdoor decks and room to walk around. Kids tend to love them, which makes Blue Star the easy pick for families. The catamarans are quick and fitted with airplane-style seats, but they're enclosed. Many visitors find the scenery harder to enjoy on the high-speed boats, especially from a seat far from a window.

How long is the crossing?

Blue Star takes about 2 to 2.5 hours, and the odd sailing runs closer to 2 hours 45 minutes. The fast boat usually saves you somewhere between 30 minutes and an hour.

How often do ferries run, and when?

Ferries sail all year. Summer brings several departures a day across both companies. Service thins out in the shoulder season and again in the low season, which generally runs from November to March. Official timetables are usually published by the ferry companies in February or March, and sailings continue to change with the seasons after that. Treat any timetable you find online as an example, and check the current one for your exact date before you plan around a particular boat.

How much does the ferry cost?

Blue Star is usually the cheapest option, and high-speed tickets often cost about twice as much. Blue Star sells undesignated deck seats at the low end, then assigned seats, business class and cabins. SeaJets offers standard, club and platinum classes. Fares change daily with availability and tend to climb as the date gets close, so booking early often gets you a lower price.

When you compare, match like with like. A basic Blue Star deck seat and a premium catamaran seat are different ticket categories.

How far ahead should you book?

Ferry tickets sell out quickly in high season. If you're traveling in July or August, it helps to reserve once your dates are settled, particularly when you want a certain departure, a premium seat or room for a car. Visiting in May, June, September or October usually leaves you fine with booking a few weeks in advance. In winter seats rarely sell out, but the thinner schedule still calls for planning.

It's a good idea to have the ID you used when booking with you, and to save your ticket or boarding pass on your phone before you head to the port.

Where do you board and arrive?

In Naxos, ferries leave from the main port in Chora, the island's capital, at the edge of town. The center, the promenade, restaurants and many hotels are a few minutes' walk away. The bus station is about a 5-minute walk along the harbor front, and there's a taxi rank at the port exit. Taxis can be scarce in high season, so allow extra time. Foot passengers should reach the port at least an hour before departure.

In Santorini, ferries dock at Athinios Port, the island's main ferry port. It sits below the caldera cliffs about 5 miles (8 km) south of Fira and roughly 12 miles (20 km) from Oia. The port is steep, chaotic and not at all walking-friendly. The Old Port below Fira is a different place, used by cruise ships and smaller boats, so it isn't where your ferry will arrive.

How do you get from Athinios Port to your hotel?

Santorini has few taxis, and at busy times there may be none waiting at the port. The easiest move is to ask your hotel to arrange a pickup as soon as you book your ferry. It takes the stress out of arriving with luggage and kids, and the drive from Athinios to Oia takes about 40 minutes. In summer, traffic on the switchback road up from the port can be severe, so even a pre-booked driver may need some patience.

Buses are the cheap alternative. They run from Athinios to Fira, the hub of the island's bus network, and no bus goes directly to Oia. Getting there means changing in Fira, about an hour in total. It works, but it's slow with luggage.

Can you do it as a day trip?

If a single day is all you have, an organized boat trip from Naxos gives you roughly 6 hours to explore places like Oia and Fira, with the island bus included in the price.

Otherwise, stay the night. Oia is a lovely base once the day-trippers leave. Cruise ship days make the island far more crowded, so check the cruise calendar before you pick your night.

What about delays, wind and cancellations?

Lateness is common. Many ferries reach Naxos after stops at other islands, so delays tend to build through the day. A boat might leave on time, 20 minutes late or much later than that.

Wind matters too. High-speed catamarans are more sensitive to rough seas, which makes them more prone to weather delays and cancellations, and the ride can be bumpy. Blue Star's larger ships ride steadier, so if you get seasick, take the big ship. On a catamaran, sit near the middle and keep your eyes on the horizon.

Leave breathing room between your scheduled arrival in Santorini and any dinner reservation, tour or flight.