The ferry from Santorini to Rethymno is a seasonal but very useful link between the Cyclades and Crete, taking you from Athinios Port in Santorini to the harbour of Rethymno on Crete’s north coast in about 2 hours 20 minutes. The route is operated exclusively by Seajets with fast catamarans and usually runs from around May to October, with roughly 2 weekly sailings and afternoon departures from Santorini. Typical journey times are listed at about 2 hours 20 minutes, with most schedules showing a single direct crossing that does not require a change of ferry. One way ticket prices for foot passengers generally start from about €30 in low season and can reach around €100–€110 in peak months, with average fares reported around €105–€125. The service is not daily in most sources, so this is a route you plan your dates around, but it is an excellent option if you want to arrive directly in Rethymno instead of going via Heraklion.
Key Information
Ferry duration
The ferry duration from Santorini (Athinios) to Rethymno is usually about 2 hours 20 minutes, with both timetable and booking sites agreeing on this standard crossing time. Under normal conditions you can safely plan for roughly 2 hours 20 minutes at sea plus time for boarding and disembarkation.
Ferry companies
This route is served exclusively by Seajets, using fast catamarans such as the Elite Jet or similar vessels. Other ferry companies operate to Crete in general, but for the direct Santorini to Rethymno route Seajets is the only operator listed in current schedules.
Fast vs slow ferry
There is no slow conventional ferry alternative on the Santorini to Rethymno route at present, as all listed crossings are on Seajets high speed catamarans. This means the crossing is quick and efficient, but it also means you do not have a cheaper, slower large-ship option like you do on some other Crete routes.
Best time to travel
You can normally travel by ferry from Santorini to Rethymno between about May and October, when the Seajets service operates. In June, July, August and September there are typically 2 weekly crossings, often on fixed days such as Tuesday and Saturday, with departures around 17:00 from Santorini.
Sea conditions/wind
The sea between Santorini and Rethymno can be affected by strong meltemi winds in summer, which can make the high speed catamaran ride feel bumpy even though the trip is short. Travellers who are prone to seasickness often mention that they manage the crossing better by sitting towards the middle of the vessel, avoiding heavy food before departure and carrying motion sickness remedies.
Port guide
In Santorini, the ferry to Rethymno departs from Athinios Port, the main ferry harbour below the cliffs, which is served by buses, taxis and hotel transfer minibuses from Fira, Oia and other villages. In Crete, the ferry arrives at the port of Rethymno, a compact harbour close to the old town, with easy walking access to many hotels, car rental offices, bus stops and the waterfront promenade.
Car rental advice
Seajets ferries on the Rethymno–Santorini route accept vehicles, and guide prices from Rethymno to Santorini suggest that a car plus 2 adults can cost around €299 each way, with average car-only prices reported around £746 in some booking tools. Because Rethymno has many local car rental agencies near the port, many travellers recommend picking up or dropping off a car there rather than paying high fares to ship a rental car back and forth between Santorini and Crete.
Foot passenger tips
As a foot passenger, you should arrive at Athinios Port at least 1 hour before the scheduled Santorini to Rethymno departure, especially in high season when the port road and boarding areas are busy. In Rethymno, the port is close to the town centre, so it is easy to walk to many accommodations, and if you are heading to other parts of Crete you can catch intercity buses from the nearby KTEL bus station.
“Is this route worth it?”
The Santorini to Rethymno ferry route is very much worth it if you want to combine Santorini with the western or central part of Crete without going via Heraklion. Rethymno makes a great base for exploring the old town, nearby beaches and day trips to Chania, the south coast or mountain villages, and the direct fast ferry from Santorini saves you several hours of extra travel.
Alternative route if canceled
If your direct Santorini to Rethymno ferry is cancelled or not running on your chosen day, the main alternative is to travel from Santorini to Heraklion by ferry and then continue by bus or car to Rethymno. There are usually more daily sailings between Santorini and Heraklion than between Santorini and Rethymno, so this combination gives more flexibility when the direct service is not available.
Reverse route internal links
The reverse route from Rethymno to Santorini is described in more detail by several guides, which report around 2 weekly Seajets crossings taking about 2 hours 20 minutes, usually with morning departures around 08:00. Ticket prices in this direction start from about €104–€110 for a foot passenger in low season and increase in peak months, with similar fares for the Santorini–Rethymno leg.
FAQs about the Santorini to Rethymno ferry route
How long does the Santorini to Rethymno ferry really take?
Most sources agree that the Santorini to Rethymno ferry takes about 2 hours 20 minutes, and this matches what travellers report in practice. Timetables do not show big variations for this route, so you can plan confidently around this crossing time.
How often does the Santorini to Rethymno ferry run in summer?
In a typical season there are about 2 weekly Santorini to Rethymno sailings, usually operated on fixed days such as Tuesday and Saturday in the late afternoon. Some aggregators mention “up to 3 sailings per day”, but detailed calendars and official style summaries show this route as a 2-times-per-week service rather than a daily one.
How much does the Santorini to Rethymno ferry cost?
For foot passengers, ticket prices on the Santorini to Rethymno ferry typically range from about €30 in low season up to around €104–€110 in peak season. Average fares for adults are reported at roughly €105–€125 for one way trips, with car fares adding around €70–€80 on top of that.
Is the Santorini to Rethymno ferry suitable for people who get seasick?
The Santorini to Rethymno crossing is relatively short at around 2 hours 20 minutes, but it is on a fast catamaran which can feel lively in rough seas. Travellers who are prone to seasickness usually sit near the middle of the vessel, avoid heavy meals before departure and take seasickness tablets or use wristbands for extra comfort.
Can I do a day trip from Santorini to Rethymno by ferry?
A same day return day trip is not realistic, because the Santorini to Rethymno ferry normally leaves Santorini in the late afternoon and there is no return sailing later the same day. Ferry guides explicitly say that despite the short crossing time, the timetable does not allow enough time on shore for a classic day trip.