Santorini has 3 ports, and each one does a different job. Athinios, on the caldera coast south of Fira, is the main ferry port where every ferry to and from Santorini arrives. The Old Port, directly below Fira, is where cruise ship passengers come ashore and where the cable car and the famous 588 steps climb up the cliff. Ammoudi Bay, below Oia, is a tiny fishing harbour with tavernas and small boats to Thirasia. This guide explains all 3 Santorini ports, how to get from Athinios port to Fira, Oia and the beaches, how the cruise port works and what to expect when you arrive by sea.
Santorini ports at a glance
All ferries use Athinios port, about 10 km by road south of Fira. Cruise passengers land by tender at the Old Port below Fira and ride the cable car up the cliff.
- Athinios port: every ferry, from Piraeus, Rafina, Crete and the other Cyclades
- Old Port (Fira): cruise ship tenders, volcano boat trips, cable car and 588 steps
- Ammoudi Bay (Oia): fish tavernas and small boats to Thirasia
- Athinios to Fira: KTEL bus for 2.70 euros, or a taxi for about 20 to 30 euros
- Cable car: 10 euros each way, about 3 to 5 minutes
Santorini Ports Explained
| Athinios port | Old Port (Fira) | Ammoudi Bay (Oia) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where | Caldera coast, about 10 km by road south of Fira | At the foot of the cliff directly below Fira | At the foot of the cliff below Oia |
| Used by | All passenger and car ferries | Cruise ship tenders, volcano and caldera boat trips | Fishing boats, small boats to Thirasia |
| Getting up | Bus, taxi or transfer up a winding road | Cable car, 588 steps, or boat | Road or a long flight of steps from Oia |
| Best known for | Arriving by ferry | Cruise days and the cable car | Sunset fish tavernas and swimming |
Athinios Port, the Santorini Ferry Port
Athinios is the port you will use if you arrive in Santorini by ferry. It sits on a narrow strip of land at the bottom of the caldera cliffs, and a steep road with a long series of hairpin bends climbs up from the quay to the main road towards Fira and Pyrgos. Arriving here is dramatic, as the ferry sails into the flooded volcano with the white villages lining the rim above you.
The port itself is small for the number of people who pass through it. In July and August, several ferries can arrive and leave within an hour, and the quay fills with passengers, buses, taxis and cars. There are cafés, snack bars, mini markets, ticket offices and an air conditioned passenger lounge, but shade and seating run short when it is busy. Go with patience and you will be fine.
Athinios Port to Fira and Oia
KTEL bus
- Timed to meet ferries
- About 20 minutes to Fira
- Change in Fira for Oia
- Best on a budget
Taxi
- To Fira
- 40 to 50 euros to Oia
- Scarce in high season
- Best if pre booked
Transfer
- Driver waits at the ferry
- Fixed price
- No taxi queue
- Best in July and August
Hire car
- Several firms deliver
- Steep hairpin road
- Parking hard in Oia
- Best for exploring
Bus From Athinios Port
KTEL buses are timed to meet the ferries, so when a boat comes in there is usually a bus waiting on the quay to take passengers up to Fira. The fare is 2.70 euros and the trip takes about 20 minutes, longer when the road is jammed in summer. From Fira bus station you can change for Oia, Kamari, Perissa, Akrotiri and the rest of the island. On the way back, buses leave Fira in good time before each ferry departure. Check our Santorini bus timetable for the latest times.
Taxi From Athinios Port
The taxi rank is directly outside the ferry terminal, but Santorini has far fewer taxis than it needs in summer, and the queue after a big ferry can be long. Expect to pay about 20 to 30 euros to Fira and about 40 to 50 euros to Oia. A pre booked transfer, with the driver waiting as you walk off the ferry, is well worth it in July and August. See our Santorini taxi guide.
| From Athinios port to | Bus | Taxi |
|---|---|---|
| Fira | Direct, 2.70 euros, about 20 minutes | About 20 to 30 euros |
| Oia | Change in Fira | About 40 to 50 euros |
| Kamari, Perissa | Change in Fira | Ask the driver before you set off |
| Santorini Airport | Change in Fira | About 25 to 35 euros |
Ferries From Athinios Port
Santorini has ferries to Athens, Crete and most of the Cyclades, with the most sailings between May and October. Blue Star Ferries, Seajets, Minoan Lines and the smaller local lines all use Athinios.
| Santorini to | Fastest ferry | Slower ferry |
|---|---|---|
| Ios | About 35 minutes | Up to 1 hour 20 minutes |
| Folegandros | About 45 minutes | Under 3 hours |
| Naxos | About 1 hour 10 minutes | About 2 hours 40 minutes |
| Anafi | About 1 hour 10 minutes | About 1 hour 35 minutes |
| Amorgos | About 1 hour 15 minutes | Up to 4 hours 55 minutes |
| Heraklion, Crete | About 1 hour 35 minutes | About 3 hours 50 minutes |
| Paros | About 1 hour 45 minutes | About 4 hours 5 minutes |
| Koufonisia | About 1 hour 50 minutes | Varies |
| Mykonos | About 1 hour 55 minutes | Up to 3 hours 15 minutes |
| Milos | About 1 hour 55 minutes | Varies |
| Piraeus (Athens) | About 5 hours | 6 to 11 hours 30 minutes |
| Rafina (Athens) | About 5 hours 20 minutes | Up to 9 hours 30 minutes, April to October |
For more detail, see our Athens to Santorini ferry guide, our page on how to get to Santorini and the full Cyclades ferry guide.
Santorini Old Port and Cruise Port
The Old Port, also known as Fira Skala or Gialos, sits at the water’s edge about 220 metres below Fira. Santorini has no cruise pier, so cruise ships anchor in the caldera and ferry their passengers ashore by tender boat, most often to the Old Port. From there, there are 3 ways up to Fira: the cable car, the 588 steps or a donkey ride. The Old Port is also where many volcano and hot spring boat trips to Nea Kameni begin.
Santorini Cable Car
The cable car links the Old Port with the centre of Fira in about 3 to 5 minutes. It costs 10 euros each way for adults, 5 euros for children aged 6 to 12 and 5 euros for each large suitcase, while children under 6 ride free. It can carry up to 1,200 passengers an hour, but on days when several cruise ships are in, the queue at the bottom can still stretch to an hour or more, especially in the afternoon when everyone heads back to their ship.
| Season | Cable car hours |
|---|---|
| June to August | 06:30 to 23:00 |
| May, September and October | 06:30 to 22:00 |
| April | 06:30 to 21:00 |
| November to March | 07:30 to 10:30 and 14:30 to 18:00 |
The 588 Steps and Donkeys
A zigzag path of 588 steps climbs from the Old Port to Fira. Walking down is easy enough, although the steps are slippery and shared with donkeys. Walking up in the summer heat is hard work and can easily take 30 minutes or more. Donkey rides are still offered, but animal welfare groups ask visitors not to use them, and there is a legal weight limit of 100 kg for riders. Most people take the cable car up and, if they fancy it, walk down.
Tips for Cruise Passengers
Take the earliest tender you can, as the cable car queue is shortest in the morning. Head back to the Old Port well before your last tender, at least 90 minutes early on a busy day. If your cruise line offers a tender to Athinios with a coach excursion, that avoids the cable car entirely. From Fira, Imerovigli is a beautiful walk along the caldera rim, and buses run to Oia every 30 minutes or so.
Ammoudi Bay, the Port of Oia
Ammoudi Bay is a small fishing harbour at the foot of the red volcanic cliffs below Oia. It has no ferries, but it is one of the loveliest spots on the island, with fish tavernas right on the water and clear, deep water for swimming off the rocks. Small boats run from Ammoudi across to the island of Thirasia. You can reach it by road or by a long flight of steps down from Oia, which is fine going down but steep coming back up. Our guide to Ammoudi Bay has more detail.
Tips for Using Santorini Port
- Arrive at Athinios early in summer. Aim for 1 hour before departure, and up to 1 hour 30 minutes in July and August, as the road down can jam.
- Pre book a taxi or transfer. The taxi queue after a big ferry can be long in high season.
- Watch your ferry, not just the time. Several ferries can board at once, so listen for announcements and check the name of the ship.
- Buy water before you go down. Shade and seating at Athinios are limited on busy afternoons.
- Cruise passengers, go early. Take an early tender and return early to beat the cable car queue.
Frequently Asked Questions About Santorini Port
What is the main port in Santorini?
Athinios is the main ferry port of Santorini. Every ferry to and from the island uses it. It is on the caldera coast, about 10 km by road south of Fira.
How do I get from Athinios port to Fira?
KTEL buses meet the ferries and take about 20 minutes to Fira for 2.70 euros. A taxi costs about 20 to 30 euros, and pre booked transfers are also available.
How much is a taxi from Santorini port to Oia?
A taxi from Athinios port to Oia costs about 40 to 50 euros. Taxis are scarce in summer, so booking ahead is a good idea.
Is there a bus from Santorini port to Oia?
There is no direct bus. Take the bus from Athinios to Fira and change there for Oia. Buses from Fira to Oia run frequently in summer.
Where do cruise ships dock in Santorini?
Santorini has no cruise pier. Cruise ships anchor in the caldera and bring passengers ashore by tender, usually to the Old Port below Fira.
How much is the Santorini cable car?
The cable car costs 10 euros each way for adults, 5 euros for children aged 6 to 12 and 5 euros for each large suitcase. Children under 6 ride free.
How many steps are there from the Old Port to Fira?
There are 588 steps on the zigzag path from the Old Port up to Fira. The climb is hard work in summer, so most people take the cable car up.
Should I ride a donkey up from the Old Port?
Animal welfare groups ask visitors not to ride the donkeys. If you do, there is a legal weight limit of 100 kg for riders. The cable car is the easier option.
What is Ammoudi Bay?
Ammoudi Bay is a small fishing harbour below Oia with fish tavernas and good swimming. It has no ferries, but small boats run from there to Thirasia.
How early should I arrive at Athinios port?
Arrive at least 1 hour before your ferry, and up to 1 hour 30 minutes in July and August, as the road down to the port can be very busy.
How long is the ferry from Santorini to Athens?
High speed ferries to Piraeus take about 5 hours, and conventional ferries between 6 and 11 hours 30 minutes. Seasonal ferries to Rafina take from about 5 hours 20 minutes.
Which islands can I reach by ferry from Santorini?
Santorini has ferries to Ios, Folegandros, Naxos, Paros, Mykonos, Amorgos, Anafi, Koufonisia, Milos and other Cyclades, as well as to Heraklion in Crete and to Athens.
Final Thoughts
Arriving in Santorini by sea is one of the great moments of any Greek trip, and it is easy once you know the 3 ports. Ferries use Athinios, where a bus or a pre booked taxi will take you up the cliff. Cruise passengers land at the Old Port and ride the cable car to Fira. Ammoudi is for long lunches by the water below Oia. Before you go, check our guide to the Santorini weather, and if you are flying rather than sailing, see our Santorini Airport guide.
