Rafina - Santorini ferry tickets from €82 | 2026

Rafina - Santorini ferry tickets and routes

The seasonal Rafina - Santorini ferry connection is operated by Golden Star Ferries with Golden Princess. This high-speed passenger and vehicle ferry offers numbered seating and transports cars and motorcycles.

The cheapest passenger ticket starts at €82, while the basic fare for a standard car begins at €85. The morning ferry leaves Rafina at 07:20 and arrives at Athinios port at 12:40. The crossing takes 5 hours and 20 minutes.

During the high season, there is up to 1 departure per day and 7 sailings per week. The ticket covers one continuous journey, and passengers do not need to change ferries.

The morning departure is suitable for passengers who have stayed overnight near the port or can leave Athens early. Travellers arriving by plane on the same day need enough time between landing and boarding. Although the airport is close to the port, baggage collection and traffic towards Rafina make a short connection risky.

Key information before booking

• Cheapest passenger ticket: from €82
• Standard car ticket: from €85
• First departure: 07:20
• Last departure: 07:20
• Arrival in Santorini: 12:40
• Fastest crossing: 5 hours and 20 minutes
• High-season frequency: up to 1 sailing per day
• Total weekly departures: up to 7
• Ferry company: Golden Star Ferries
• Vessel: Golden Princess
• Vessel type: high-speed passenger and vehicle ferry
• Intermediate stops: Tinos, Mykonos, Paros and Ios
• Ferry change: not required
• Car transport: available
• Cabins: not available
• Electronic ticket: available
• Departure port: central port of Rafina
• Arrival port: Athinios port, Santorini

Rafina - Santorini ferry ticket prices

The lowest fare for an adult passenger starts at €82. This price applies to the cheapest available numbered seat on Golden Princess.

The ferry offers aircraft-style seats, seats with tables and upgraded seating categories. Cabins are not available. For a crossing of this duration, a numbered seat is useful because passengers have a designated place throughout the journey.

The basic fare for a standard car starts at €85 and is added to the passenger tickets. Two adults travelling with one car pay from €249, before discounts or higher-priced seating categories are applied.

Different fares are available for:

• Motorcycles
• Three-wheeled and four-wheeled motorcycles
• Longer cars
• Camper vans
• Vehicles with trailers
• Commercial vehicles

On booktickets.gr, the total cost for all passengers and the vehicle is displayed before payment. Travellers can therefore check the complete booking price instead of only the basic fare for one passenger.

Departure, arrival and travel time

Golden Princess departs from Rafina at 07:20 and reaches Athinios at 12:40. The journey takes 5 hours and 20 minutes.

The direct route operates most frequently from spring to autumn. A daily departure is available during the high season. During the low season, the connection is reduced or suspended, while sailings from Piraeus continue to offer more travel dates.

The arrival time may be affected by weather conditions, traffic at intermediate ports and the time required to load vehicles. Passengers with hotel reservations or a scheduled transfer from Athinios should leave enough time after the scheduled arrival at 12:40.

Which sailing is the fastest and cheapest?

Golden Star Ferries is the only company operating the direct Rafina - Santorini connection. There is no second departure on the same day with a lower fare or shorter travel time.

Golden Princess is both the fastest and the cheapest direct option from Rafina. The final price depends on the seating category, number of passengers, available discounts and whether a vehicle is included.

For passengers travelling without a car, the basic seat from €82 is the cheapest option. For families, child discounts have a greater effect on the total cost than changing the seating category.

Passengers travelling with a car should check garage availability first. There are fewer vehicle spaces than passenger seats, so they can sell out earlier.

What works best for a family or car?

Taking a car is practical for families travelling with several pieces of luggage or staying far from Fira and the main bus routes. It also makes travelling to areas such as Akrotiri, Perivolos and the northern part of the island easier.

The basic cost for two adults and one car starts at €249. When children are travelling on discounted fares, the total amount is calculated according to their age and seating category.

Passengers travelling without a vehicle need a transfer from Athinios to their accommodation. Buses, taxis and private transfer services are available at the port. When several ferries arrive within a short period, taxi and transfer availability becomes limited.

A car is not always necessary for couples staying in Fira who do not plan to visit different parts of the island every day. For families carrying luggage and staying outside the main settlements, taking their own vehicle provides greater flexibility.

Direct journey with intermediate stops

The journey does not require a ferry change. Passengers use the same ticket and remain on Golden Princess until arrival in Santorini.

The sequence of ports is:

• Rafina
• Tinos
• Mykonos
• Paros
• Ios
• Santorini

The four intermediate stops account for the total duration of 5 hours and 20 minutes. Passengers and vehicles board and disembark at each port, but those continuing to Santorini do not need to take any action.

The route crosses the Cyclades from north to south and connects eastern Attica with Athinios. The morning departure allows passengers to reach the island early in the afternoon.

Golden Princess and onboard facilities

Golden Princess is a high-speed catamaran operated by Golden Star Ferries. It can carry up to 877 passengers and 180 vehicles.

Facilities on board include:

• Air-conditioned lounges
• Numbered aircraft-style seats
• Upgraded seating categories
• Café bar
• Wi-Fi
• Satellite television
• Lift and escalators
• Designated pet areas
• Garage for cars and motorcycles

Golden Princess does not have cabins. All available categories refer to seats or lounge accommodation. Passengers who want more space should select an upgraded seat when booking.

Car transport and loading

Golden Princess has a garage for standard cars, motorcycles and other vehicle categories. The vehicle must be added to the same booking as the driver's details.

For fully electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, the battery charge must not exceed 40%. In vehicles powered by LPG or natural gas, the tank must not contain more than 50% of its total capacity.

Drivers should arrive at the vehicle loading area at least 60 minutes before departure. During the high season, arriving 90 minutes early provides a safer boarding margin.

Discounts and reduced fares

Golden Star Ferries provides discounts based on passenger age and eligibility. Supporting documents must be available during boarding.

Children and infants travel under the following conditions:

• Infants and children up to 5 years old: free ticket
• Children aged 5 to 10: 50% discount

Students enrolled at Greek universities receive a 50% discount with a valid academic identity card. The discount does not apply to students of the Hellenic Open University.

Large families and families with three children receive discounts of 50% and 30% respectively, provided they present a valid certificate or card. Passengers with a disability rating of 80% or higher receive a 50% discount, subject to the company's conditions.

Discounts cannot be combined. The fare category matching the passenger's details is applied when the ticket is issued.

Find all the routes

Departure from Rafina port

The ferry departs from the central port of Rafina. There is no permanently assigned numbered gate for Golden Princess. The port authority allocates the berth according to traffic on the day.

Foot passengers should be at the port 60 minutes before departure. Passengers travelling with a car should arrive 90 minutes early during the high season.

Rafina is 17 kilometres by road from the airport and 30 kilometres from central Athens. The port can be reached by KTEL intercity bus, taxi or private vehicle.

The departure at 07:20 means that foot passengers need to arrange their transfer before morning traffic increases. Anyone staying far from eastern Attica must also include the travel time to the port.

Arrival at Santorini port

The ferry arrives at Athinios, Santorini's main passenger port. The old port of Fira serves cruise ships and is not the arrival point for Golden Princess.

Athinios does not have a permanently assigned numbered gate. The port authority determines the final berth, which may change during the day.

Passengers can leave the port by bus, taxi, private transfer or car. The road is narrow and becomes busy when several ferries arrive at the same time.

The scheduled arrival at 12:40 leaves a large part of the day available for travelling to the accommodation. However, the time required to leave Athinios depends on vehicle unloading and traffic on the road towards Fira.

Is the route suitable for a same-day trip?

Golden Princess arrives in Santorini at 12:40 and leaves for Rafina at 14:15. The available interval is only 1 hour and 35 minutes.

The connection technically allows passengers to return on the same day, but it is not suitable for a same-day visit to the island. There is not enough time to leave Athinios, travel to Fira and return to the ferry.

A same-day journey is only practical for passengers who want to travel back immediately without visiting Santorini. A tourist visit requires at least one overnight stay.

Electronic ticket and web check-in

Golden Star Ferries provides electronic tickets. After booking, passenger and vehicle tickets can be saved on a mobile phone.

Web check-in is completed through the booking email and is available from 48 hours until 2 hours before departure.

Passengers need the following documents during boarding:

• Electronic or printed ticket
• Identity card or passport
• Driving licence for the driver
• Supporting document for a discounted fare
• Pet health booklet for a declared pet

Web check-in Golden Star Ferries

Passenger, vehicle and return tickets can be issued in the same transaction on booktickets.gr.

Return route from Santorini to Rafina

The Santorini - Rafina return route is operated by Golden Princess of Golden Star Ferries.

The ferry departs from Athinios at 14:15 and arrives in Rafina at 20:20. The crossing takes 6 hours and 5 minutes.

On the return journey, the ferry calls at Ios, Paros, Mykonos and Tinos. Passenger tickets start at €82, while the basic fare for a standard car begins at €85.

Alternative ferry routes

The Piraeus - Santorini connection operates throughout the year and offers more daily departures.

Passenger tickets start at €46.50, while the fare for a standard car begins at €95.70. Travel times range from 5 hours and 30 minutes to 9 hours.

The route is served by Blue Star Ferries, Seajets and Fast Ferries. Conventional ferries offer cabins and larger garages, while high-speed vessels provide shorter travel times.

Piraeus is more convenient for central and southern Athens. Rafina provides easier access to the airport, Mesogeia and northern Attica.

Useful travel tips

• Arrive at Rafina port 60 minutes before departure.
• When travelling with a car, arrive 90 minutes early.
• Check garage availability first.
• Save the electronic ticket on your mobile phone.
• Keep your identification and discount documents together.
• Do not choose a morning flight with a short connection to the ferry.
• Arrange your transfer from Athinios before arrival.
• Do not go to the old port of Fira.
• Declare your pet when issuing the ticket.
• Confirm the final berth with the port staff.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Which ferry operates the route?

The route is served by Golden Princess, a high-speed passenger and vehicle ferry operated by Golden Star Ferries.

Are there intermediate stops?

Yes. The ferry calls at Tinos, Mykonos, Paros and Ios before reaching Santorini. Passengers do not need to change ferries.

Can I travel with a car?

Yes. Golden Princess has a garage for cars and motorcycles. The vehicle must be included when making the booking.

Which gate does the ferry depart from?

There is no permanently assigned numbered gate at Rafina port. The berth is announced by the port authority and the ferry company's staff.

Are cabins available on Golden Princess?

No. The ferry offers numbered seats, seats with tables and upgraded seating categories, but it does not have cabins.

Can I return on the same day?

There is a departure from Santorini at 14:15, but the interval of 1 hour and 35 minutes does not allow enough time to visit the island. A same-day return is only suitable for immediate reboarding.

In brief

The seasonal Rafina - Santorini route is operated by Golden Star Ferries with Golden Princess. During the high season, there is up to 1 departure per day, leaving at 07:20 and arriving at Athinios at 12:40.

Passenger tickets start at €82, while the fare for a standard car begins at €85. The crossing takes 5 hours and 20 minutes, with stops at Tinos, Mykonos, Paros and Ios.

The route is practical for travellers starting from the airport, Mesogeia or eastern Attica. The early afternoon arrival leaves time to reach the accommodation but does not allow a meaningful same-day visit using the same ferry.

Content editing: booktickets.gr

Last updated: September 2026