Athens (Rafina) – Santorini (Thira)
Ferry to Cyclades Islands
Athens (Rafina) – Santorini (Thira)
Ferry to Cyclades Islands
Athens (Rafina) Santorini (Thira) ferry prices tend to range between £73* and £300*. The average price for ferries from Athens (Rafina) Santorini (Thira) is typically £149*. The cheapest Athens (Rafina) Santorini (Thira) ferry prices start from £73*. The average foot passenger price is £149*. And the average price for a car is £217*.
Pricing will vary depending on the number of passengers, vehicle type, route and sailing times. Pricing is taken from searches over the last 30 days and is exclusive of service fees, last updated October 25.
You can easily find cheap ferry tickets with our Deal Finder. We recommend booking in advance to get the best possible prices and availability. You can also check out our Special Offers page for the latest deals on Athens (Rafina) ferries.
Yes, Direct Ferries offers a wide range of discounts all year around. When searching for ferries, senior discounts will be automatically applied if they are available. Just select your age range from the passenger options.
Students and graduates can get a 5% discount on ferry tickets. To take advantage of the discount, you need to register with our partner Student Beans and confirm your student or graduate status. You will then receive a discount code which can be entered during the payment process.
Resident discounts are available on a variety of Spanish and Italian ferry routes. Just click on the "Residents" option when this is displayed in our Deal Finder. The discount is automatically applied to the price. Bear in mind that proof of registration or an identity card with the correct address must be shown at check-in.
Athens (Rafina) Santorini (Thira) ferries typically depart at 07:20.
Due to the crossing time, ferries between Athens (Rafina) and Santorini (Thira) are currently not suitable for a day trip.
Yes, Golden Star Ferries ferries allow cars on board ferries between Athens (Rafina) and Santorini (Thira). Use our Deal Finder to get live pricing for car ferries between Athens (Rafina) and Santorini (Thira).
Whether you can bring your campervan on the ferry from Athens (Rafina) to Santorini (Thira) depends on several factors like the ship & operator of your preferred crossing. For more information on travelling with campervans & caravans on ferries, use our Deal Finder or visit our blog, where you can find practical tips & travel inspiration for your next adventure.
Currently, you cannot take your bicycle on board any ferries from Athens (Rafina) to Santorini (Thira).
Yes, foot passengers can travel with Golden Star Ferries ferries between Athens (Rafina) and Santorini (Thira).
Pets are allowed on ferries travelling from Athens (Rafina) to Santorini (Thira) with Golden Star Ferries. Please also note that your pet may have to stay in the vehicle during the journey unless the ferry operator supplies pet accommodation.
Use our Deal Finder to find out whether your preferred ferry is an overnight ferry. Here you can also find the current ferry timetables and crossing times. Please note that the duration of the night ferries are usually slightly longer than that of the day ferries.
Travel requirements can vary depending on the route, so it's important to check what documents you'll need before sailing. In most cases, a valid passport is required when traveling from Athens (Rafina) to Santorini (Thira), along with any necessary visas or national ID cards. Requirements may differ based on your nationality and the destination country’s regulations. To avoid delays at check-in, you can find helpful information for your journey in our Check-in, Travel Documents & Tickets guide and in our blog post on tips and tricks for international travel.
Book your ferry tickets online with Direct Ferries using our Deal Finder. Just enter your departure and arrival ports and the date you’d like to travel to see all available options and prices. You’ll also be able to view alternative routes and times, so you can find the best deal to suit you.
Look out for early booking discounts or special ticket options such as upgrades or flexi-tickets that allow you to change or cancel your booking. To make your sailing as smooth as possible, make sure you enter all the required information correctly, such as number of passengers and vehicle specifications.
Once you’ve finalised your booking, you’ll receive a confirmation email. It depends on the ferry operator you book with as to how your boarding pass is issued and collected.
Whilst some ferry operators issue the boarding pass as soon as your booking is confirmed, others may ask you to check in at the port. There’s also the option for online check-in, which can be easily done via the Direct Ferries app, if available.
The ticket desks are usually located near the ferry terminals. To avoid any delays at the port, we’d recommend allowing some extra time to collect your tickets and to check-in.
During check-in, you must show your email confirmation, as well as an official photo ID, such as a passport or identity card. You might also be asked to provide documentation for your pet (vaccines, pet insurance etc.) or proof of residence, if you have booked your ticket with a resident discount.
There could be various reasons why there are no departures from Athens (Rafina) to Santorini (Thira) for the date you’ve requested. For example, a temporary timetable change, limited availability or seasonal changes in the timetable.
We recommend checking for alternative dates. Our Deal Finder automatically compares the desired route with alternative routes and dates, offering up-to-date real time options, all in one place.
The best time to book ferries from Athens (Rafina) to Santorini (Thira) is usually as early as possible. By booking in advance, you’ll not only get your tickets at the best available prices, but you’ll also get a better choice of departure times and cabin/seating options.
We’d recommend making your booking at least a few weeks in advance to benefit from the best offers. Bear in mind that prices may vary depending on the season and availability.
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| Athens (Rafina) - Santorini (Thira) Ferry Route Summary | ||
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Athens | |
| Destination | Cyclades Islands | |
| No. of Operators | 1 | |
| Operators | Golden Star Ferries | |
| Average Price | £149 | |
| Average Daily Sailings | 1 | |
| Average Weekly Sailings | 6 | |
| Average Sailing Duration | 5 h 20 m | |
| Fastest Sailing Duration | 5 h 20 m | |
| First Ferry | 07:20 | |
| Last Ferry | 07:20 | |
| Distance | 123 Nautical Miles | |
* Prices subject to change, pricing is taken from last 30 days, last updated 1 October 2025.
"Fast service "
"Excelent trip"
"Lovely boat, need ticketing improvement"
"Fast and comfortable journey"
The Greek town of Rafina lies on the east coast of the Attica region of Greece. The town, and its port, is on the Aegean Sea coast, to the east of the Penteli Mountains and to the north east of the Mesogaia Plain. The Greek capital, Athens, is 25 km to the west of Rafina which is close to the towns of Artemida and Nea Makri. It is a popular destination for Athenians, due to its proximity to Athens, who drive out of the city to Rafina to eat in one of the town's many fish restaurants that line the harbour. It is common to see the day's catch on display on beds of ice outside each restaurant.
Rafina's port is the second largest in the Attica region, after Piraeus, although this is likely to change by the port at Lavrio which is currently being expanded. ferries from Rafina's port depart to the southern part of Euboea and to most of the Cyclades Islands. Both conventional and high speed ferries operate to the islands with most departing Rafina in the morning.
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.
