--- title: "Getting to Santorini by Boat: Ferry Routes, Prices & Booking" date: 2026-10-31 canonical: https://boattoursantorini.com/ferry-to-santorini/ --- **How to get to santorini by boat** comes down to picking a departure port, Athens, Crete, Mykonos, or Rhodes, and then choosing between a high-speed ferry that cuts the crossing to a few hours or a slower conventional ferry that costs less. Here's what I'd actually do first: decide whether time or money matters more on this specific leg of your trip, because that single choice determines almost everything else about which ferry you book. I'll cover the main routes, rough prices and crossing times for each one, and when I'd skip the boat entirely and just fly instead, then route you to the detailed page for your specific departure point. Since this whole guide is about reaching the island rather than touring it once you're here, once you've landed I'd also [weigh every Santorini boat tour by price and duration](/tours/) before booking anything for your time on the water. If a caldera cruise is already the main reason for your trip, my [catamaran cruise pillar](/catamaran-cruise/) covers the island's busiest category once you've arrived. ## What Are the Main Ferry Routes to Santorini? The four routes that cover almost every visitor's trip are Athens (Piraeus port), Crete, Mykonos, and Rhodes, each run by multiple ferry companies with several sailings a day in high season and far fewer in winter. My [Athens to Santorini ferry page](/ferry-to-santorini/athens-to-santorini-ferry/) covers the busiest of these, since most international travelers fly into Athens first. My honest take: if your trip starts in Athens, the ferry from Piraeus is the obvious default. If you're coming from another island instead, the route gets more specific, and I'd read the dedicated page for your exact departure point rather than relying on general advice. ## How Much Does a Ferry to Santorini Actually Cost? A **boat ride from athens to santorini** on a high-speed ferry typically runs noticeably more than the slower conventional option, since you're paying for roughly half the crossing time. A **ferry crete santorini price** sits in a similar range, with Heraklion departures usually a bit cheaper than Chania given the shorter distance. I'd book the high-speed ferry if you're short on vacation days and the time saved is worth the extra cost, and the conventional ferry if you'd rather put that money toward something else and don't mind a longer day of travel. ## High-Speed vs Conventional Ferry: Which Should You Book? A high-speed ferry cuts the Athens crossing down substantially compared to a conventional ferry, but it also tends to feel the swell more and has less outdoor deck space to wander during the trip. A conventional ferry takes longer but usually rides more steadily and gives you more room to move around. I'd pick the conventional ferry if you get seasick easily, since the extra stability matters more on a multi-hour crossing than shaving an hour or two off the trip. If speed is your priority and you don't get queasy, the high-speed option is worth the premium. ## Should You Fly Instead of Taking the Boat? Honestly, for the Athens route specifically, a direct flight takes a fraction of the ferry's crossing time, so if you're only weighing cost against time and have no interest in the sea journey itself, flying wins on pure logistics. I'd still choose the ferry if arriving by sea into the caldera is part of the experience you want, since sailing into Santorini's harbor beneath the cliffs is a genuinely different first impression than landing at the airport. My honest take: I'd fly if you're tight on time or prone to seasickness, and ferry if the journey itself is part of why you're visiting Greece by boat in the first place. ![illustrated map of Santorini highlights for Getting to Santorini by Boat: Ferry Routes, Prices & Booking, how to get to santorini by boat](/images/blog/santorini-ferry-to-santorini-2.webp) ## Getting to Santorini from Crete A **crete santorini boat** connects Heraklion or Chania to Santorini, and my [Crete to Santorini ferry page](/ferry-to-santorini/crete-to-santorini-ferry/) covers both departure points, including the private-boat option some travelers search for specifically from Chania. I'd pick Heraklion over Chania if minimizing crossing time is your main concern, since it sits closer to Santorini on the map. ## Getting to Santorini from Mykonos, Rhodes, or Other Islands A **boat ride from mykonos to santorini** and ferries from Rhodes both run as part of the broader Cyclades and Dodecanese ferry network, and my [island-hopping ferry page](/ferry-to-santorini/mykonos-rhodes-santorini-ferry/) covers these alongside the general "other islands" routes. I'd book this leg as part of a wider island-hopping itinerary rather than a single round trip, since most travelers taking this route are stringing together several islands rather than going straight there and back. ## How Far in Advance Should You Book? I'd book your ferry at least a few weeks ahead for a summer trip, since the most popular sailings on the Athens route sell out during peak season. For shoulder-season travel in spring or fall, booking a week or two out is usually fine, though I wouldn't leave it to the last minute on any route if you have a fixed schedule to keep. ## My Honest Take on Getting to Santorini by Boat For most first-time visitors coming from Athens, I'd book the high-speed ferry and treat the crossing as part of the trip rather than a chore to rush through. If you're island-hopping from Mykonos, Rhodes, or Crete instead, read the dedicated page for your exact route, since the operators, prices, and crossing times genuinely differ enough to matter. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How long does the ferry from Athens to Santorini take? A high-speed ferry typically runs a few hours, while a conventional ferry can take roughly twice as long. Exact times vary by operator and season. ### Is it cheaper to fly or take the ferry to Santorini? Flights are often similarly priced to a high-speed ferry ticket, but the ferry usually wins on cost if you book the slower conventional option instead. ### Can you take a ferry to Santorini from Crete? Yes, ferries run from both Heraklion and Chania on Crete to Santorini, with Heraklion typically offering a shorter crossing. ### Do I need to book my Santorini ferry in advance? I'd book at least a few weeks ahead for summer travel, since popular sailings on the busiest routes do sell out. For background on the Greek ferry network connecting these islands, see the [Wikipedia page on transport in Greece](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transport_in_Greece). [santorini boat tour →](/)