Ferry from Santorini to Naxos

The ferry from Santorini to Naxos is one of the busiest and most useful routes in the Cyclades, linking two very popular islands with frequent sailings and flexible timings throughout the year. Ferries depart from Athinios Port in Santorini and arrive at the main port of Naxos Town, with departures starting in the early morning and continuing through the afternoon and early evening in summer. Journey times vary from about 1 hour 10 minutes on the fastest high speed catamarans to around 2 hours 40 minutes on larger conventional ferries such as Blue Star. In the peak months you can usually find up to 6 or even 8 direct ferries per day and around 50 to 90 weekly sailings across all companies, so it is easy to fit this crossing into almost any itinerary. Ticket prices for foot passengers generally start from about €30 to €32 on slower ferries and go up to around €100 or more for business and VIP seats on the fastest boats. This route runs all year round and is a very reliable way to combine Santorini’s caldera views with Naxos’s long beaches, villages and relaxed atmosphere.

Key Information

Ferry duration

The ferry duration from Santorini (Athinios) to Naxos usually ranges from about 1 hour 10 minutes to around 2 hours 40 minutes, depending on the vessel and route. High speed ferries can cover the distance in roughly 1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes, while conventional ferries such as Blue Star typically take about 2 hours to 2 hours 35 minutes.

Ferry companies

The Santorini to Naxos ferry route is served by several operators, mainly Blue Star Ferries, Seajets and Golden Star Ferries. Together they offer daily service all year, with dozens of weekly crossings in summer and at least 1 to 3 sailings per day in the quieter months.

Fast vs slow ferry

Fast ferries on this route, mostly Seajets and Golden Star Ferries, complete the Santorini to Naxos crossing in around 1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes and are ideal if you want to minimise travel time. Slower conventional ferries such as Blue Star Ferries take around 2 hours to 2 hours 40 minutes but are usually cheaper, more spacious, and more stable in rough seas, with large outdoor decks for enjoying caldera and sea views.

Best time to travel

You can travel from Santorini to Naxos all year, but the best time is from May to October when there are more daily sailings, longer days and generally better sea conditions. July and August have the highest frequency, with up to 6 to 8 crossings per day, while spring and autumn still offer several departures but with slightly fewer high speed options.

Sea conditions/wind

The sea between Santorini and Naxos can be affected by the meltemi, a strong summer wind that can make high speed catamarans feel bumpy even on this relatively short route. Travellers often say that Blue Star Ferries feel more stable in windy conditions, while Seajets is much faster but more lively, so if you get seasick easily a larger conventional ferry and a seat near the centre of the ship is usually more comfortable.

Port guide

In Santorini, all ferries to Naxos depart from Athinios Port, the main ferry harbour at the base of the cliffs, reached by buses, taxis and hotel transfers from Fira, Oia and other resorts. In Naxos, ferries arrive at the main port in Naxos Town (Chora), where you will find car rentals, buses to beach areas such as Agios Prokopios and Plaka, taxis, luggage storage and plenty of cafés and tavernas along the waterfront.

Car rental advice

You can take a car on most Santorini to Naxos ferries, especially on Blue Star Ferries, which have large vehicle decks. However, many visitors prefer to return a rental car in Santorini and then hire a new vehicle in Naxos, because local rentals are widely available and you avoid paying extra ferry fees for the car.

Foot passenger tips

Foot passengers should arrive at Athinios Port at least 1 hour before departure in high season, as the port can be crowded and several ferries often board around the same time. When you reach Naxos, the port is very central, so if you are staying in Naxos Town you can often walk to your hotel, and if you are heading to the beaches it is easy to catch a bus from the stop just by the ferry pier.

“Is this route worth it?”

The Santorini to Naxos ferry route is absolutely worth it if you want a simple, direct and frequent connection between two of the most popular Cycladic islands. Many travellers say that the short crossing is a perfect way to balance Santorini’s dramatic scenery with the more relaxed beaches, villages and food scene of Naxos without spending too long at sea.

Alternative route if canceled

If your direct Santorini to Naxos ferry is cancelled, you often have other same day options, such as taking a different operator later in the day or rerouting via Paros, which is a major hub with frequent connections to both islands. In very bad weather some or all ferries may be suspended, so forum advice is to keep your schedule flexible and consider staying an extra night on your current island if the meltemi is very strong.

Reverse route internal links

The reverse route from Naxos to Santorini is just as frequent, with up to 8 daily crossings in summer and a mix of conventional and high speed ferries. Journey times and prices are similar, so you can easily plan a return trip or a circular island hopping route that uses Naxos as a hub on your way back to Santorini.

FAQs about the Santorini to Naxos ferry route