Ferry from Naxos to Thira Santorini 

Ferry from Naxos to Thira in Santorini is one of the busiest and most convenient Cycladic routes, linking the main port of Naxos Town with Athinios port on Santorini in average journey times of around 1 hour 35 minutes, with the fastest high speed crossings taking about 1 hour 5 minutes and the slowest conventional ferries up to around 3 hours. The route is operated all year by Blue Star Ferries, Seajets and Golden Star Ferries, and in summer there can be up to 7 or 8 daily departures and around 44 to 48 weekly sailings, with ticket prices starting from about €31 or £27 for standard economy seats and rising for high speed vessels, business class and vehicles. Ferries depart from the main port of Naxos on the west coast of the island and arrive at Athinios, the main ferry port of Santorini, from where buses, taxis and transfers connect you up to Fira, Oia and other towns around the caldera, making this one of the most straightforward ways to add Santorini to a Naxos based itinerary. Because the crossing is short and very frequent, travellers often use this route for both one way island hopping and short stays, and it is common to find detailed discussions and recommendations about specific ferries and times in online travel forums and groups.

Key information for the Naxos to Thira (Santorini) ferry route

Ferry duration

The Naxos to Thira ferry duration usually ranges from about 1 hour 5 minutes on the fastest Seajets high speed catamarans to around 2 hours 55 minutes on the slowest conventional ferries, with an average journey time of roughly 1 hour 35 minutes. For planning, most guides suggest allowing about 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on the vessel and the number of intermediate stops.

Ferry companies

Three main companies operate on the Naxos to Thira route: Blue Star Ferries, Seajets and Golden Star Ferries. Schedule data shows that Blue Star Ferries typically runs about 2 daily and 10 weekly crossings, Seajets runs around 5 daily and 29 weekly crossings and Golden Star Ferries provides about 1 daily and 7 weekly crossings in high season.

Fast vs slow ferry

High speed ferries, mainly operated by Seajets and some Hellenic Seaways or Golden Star Ferries vessels within the wider network, can complete the Naxos to Thira crossing in about 1 hour 5 minutes to 1 hour 50 minutes, which is ideal if you want to minimise travel time or connect with flights and tours in Santorini. Conventional ferries operated by Blue Star Ferries usually take around 2 hours to 2 hours 45 minutes, but they offer larger ships, more open deck space and often lower fares, which many travellers prefer for comfort and views.

Best time to travel

The Naxos to Thira ferry runs all year, but the most frequent and flexible schedules are from May to October, when there can be up to 8 daily crossings between the two islands. In high summer months such as July and August, departures are spread throughout the day from early morning to late evening, while in winter the number of daily sailings is lower but still sufficient for most itineraries.

Sea conditions and wind

This route is affected by the Meltemi, the strong north wind that often blows in the Aegean during summer and can make seas choppy, especially on smaller high speed vessels. On calm days the crossing is usually smooth and scenic, but when winds are strong it is wise to expect some motion, consider choosing a larger conventional ferry for more stability and allow for possible delays if conditions worsen.

Port guide

In Naxos, ferries to Santorini depart from the main port in Naxos Town, which is next to the old town, harbourfront cafes and the Saint George Beach area, and is easily reached on foot from most central accommodation. In Santorini, ferries arrive at Athinios port, a busy harbour set below steep cliffs, where you will find buses, taxis and pre arranged transfers up to Fira and other towns, although online reports often mention traffic congestion and recommend allowing extra time for disembarking and reaching your hotel.

Car rental advice

If you plan to bring a car on the Naxos to Thira ferry, you can do so on conventional ferries such as those of Blue Star Ferries, and some high speed vessels also carry vehicles, though capacity and prices vary. Many travellers choose to travel as foot passengers and then rent a car, scooter or quad bike directly on Santorini, as car ferry tickets can be more expensive and driving in Athinios and along the caldera roads can be busy and challenging, especially in peak months.

Foot passenger tips

For foot passengers, it is recommended to arrive at Naxos port at least 30 to 45 minutes before departure in summer and to know the exact name of your ferry and operator, as several ships may be in port around the same time. Travellers on forums often advise booking tickets in advance, checking seat type and vessel size and, on high speed ferries, choosing seats towards the middle for a more stable ride, while on conventional ferries many people enjoy sitting outside on deck for fresh air and views.

Is this route worth it?

The Naxos to Thira ferry route is widely considered very worthwhile, as it allows you to combine the more relaxed, larger island of Naxos with the dramatic caldera views and famous villages of Santorini within a short travel time. Many travellers use this connection to spend a couple of nights in Santorini at the start or end of a Cyclades trip, while others use it to sample the island for a night or two before returning to a quieter base, and online discussions often highlight the route as an easy and essential link.

Alternative route if cancelled

If your Naxos to Thira ferry is cancelled due to bad weather or mechanical issues, the first step is usually to move your booking to another sailing later the same day or the next day, as there are multiple operators and departures on this busy route. In more severe cases where ferries are suspended, travellers sometimes adjust their itinerary by delaying arrival in Santorini, re routing via another island such as Paros or returning to Athens and flying, but this is rare and generally only necessary in prolonged storms.

Reverse route internal links

The reverse route from Thira to Naxos follows the same pattern, with Blue Star Ferries, Seajets and Golden Star Ferries offering around 7 daily and 50 weekly sailings, and average crossing times of about 1 hour 35 minutes. Departures from Athinios usually run from early morning to early evening, and this return route is a key part of many island hopping itineraries, connecting Santorini back to Naxos and onwards to other Cycladic islands.

Frequently asked questions about the Naxos to Thira (Santorini) ferry route