Ferry from Santorini to Sitia

The ferry from Santorini (Thira) to Sitia in eastern Crete is a longer, less frequent route that is mainly served by conventional ferries and links Athinios Port in Santorini with the port of Sitia. Current timetable sources show that this crossing is normally operated by Anek Superfast – Blue Star Ferries, with journey times most often around 6 hours 30 minutes to 8 hours 10 minutes depending on the exact itinerary and intermediate stops. In practice, there are usually about 2 weekly sailings on this line, often on fixed days such as Wednesday and Saturday or Sunday and Friday, with departures typically late at night or in the very early morning. Ticket prices for foot passengers commonly start from about €21.50–€25 in low season, with average prices going up toward €50–€80 in summer, and higher fares for cabins and vehicles. This route is ideal if you want a direct sea connection between Santorini and the quieter eastern side of Crete without changing ferries in Heraklion, but it does require planning around a limited schedule and a long overnight or long‑day crossing.

Key Information

Ferry duration

The ferry duration from Santorini (Athinios) to Sitia is usually between about 6 hours 30 minutes and 8 hours 10 minutes on the direct Anek Superfast – Blue Star Ferries services. Some summaries mention minimum times around 5 hours 55 minutes or 5 hours 40 minutes, but in practice most scheduled crossings and reverse sailings take roughly 6 hours 15 minutes to 7 hours 40 minutes depending on the route and stops.

Ferry companies

The Santorini to Sitia route is mainly served by Anek Superfast – Blue Star Ferries using conventional ferries that continue on longer lines between Piraeus, the Cyclades and the Dodecanese. Aggregator sites also sometimes list Blue Star Ferries and Seajets generically for this connection, but detailed Sitia–Santorini schedules point to Anek Superfast – Blue Star Ferries as the regular operator.

Fast vs slow ferry

On this specific route there is effectively only a conventional “slow” ferry option, with journey times around 6 to 8 hours and no regular high‑speed catamaran alternative. This makes the crossing longer than other Crete routes, but you gain the advantages of a larger ship with cabins, vehicle decks and more space to move around during the trip.

Best time to travel

Ferries between Santorini and Sitia are usually available all year, but most frequent and reliable between spring and autumn when there are 2 to 5 weekly sailings on various Crete–Cyclades lines. In high summer, the 2 direct Santorini–Sitia departures each week are part of a wider network of Sitia routes, while in winter crossings may be fewer or subject to schedule changes, so it is important to confirm dates before planning around this route.

Sea conditions/wind

The crossing from Santorini to Sitia is quite long and passes through open Aegean and Cretan Sea waters, which can be affected by meltemi winds and rougher seas in summer. Conventional ferries handle these conditions better than small fast boats, but you may still feel movement, so passengers who get seasick often book a cabin or an inside seat and carry motion sickness remedies for comfort on windy days.

Port guide

In Santorini, the ferry to Sitia departs from Athinios Port, the main ferry harbour below the cliffs, connected to Fira, Oia and other resorts by buses, taxis and hotel transfers. In Sitia, ferries arrive at the town’s main port on the eastern north coast of Crete, a short walk from the centre, seafront promenade, bus station and car rental offices.

Car rental advice

The Santorini–Sitia ferries operated by Anek Superfast – Blue Star Ferries accept vehicles including cars, motorbikes and camper vans, and are designed for long‑distance routes. Vehicle fares add a significant amount to the ticket price, so many travellers choose to return a hire car in Santorini and pick up a new rental in Sitia or elsewhere in Crete, especially if they are planning a longer road trip on the island.

Foot passenger tips

As a foot passenger, you should arrive at Athinios Port at least 1 hour before departure, and earlier if you are boarding a night ferry that also takes vehicles and cargo. On arrival in Sitia, most accommodations and services are within easy walking distance of the port, but if you plan to continue onward to other parts of eastern Crete, check the KTEL bus timetable in advance or arrange a hire car for the next day if you arrive late at night.

“Is this route worth it?”

The Santorini to Sitia ferry route is worth considering if you want to explore the quieter, less developed eastern part of Crete, including destinations like Vai beach, Zakros and the Lassithi region, without travelling overland from Heraklion. Many travellers treat Sitia as a starting or ending point for a more off‑the‑beaten‑path itinerary, and the direct ferry from Santorini makes it possible to combine a classic Cyclades stay with a more relaxed Cretan experience.

Alternative route if canceled

If your direct Santorini–Sitia ferry is cancelled or not running on your preferred date, the most common alternative is to travel from Santorini to Heraklion or another Cretan port such as Heraklion or Rethymno and then continue by ferry or by road to Sitia. Another option is to route via intermediate islands like Milos or Anafi, which have connections to both Santorini and Sitia on some Anek Superfast – Blue Star Ferries or Aegeon Pelagos lines, but this usually requires very careful timetable checks.

Reverse route internal links

The reverse route from Sitia to Santorini is described in detail by Sitia‑focused guides, which show about 2 weekly departures, usually on Sunday and Friday or similar days, with average times around 7 hours 40 minutes. Departure times are often late at night (for example around 01:15) or in the evening, arriving in Santorini in the morning or early hours, which can be convenient if you want to connect onwards to other islands or back to Piraeus.

FAQs about the Santorini to Sitia ferry route