Santorini - Rafina ferry tickets from €82 | 2026

Santorini - Rafina ferry tickets and routes

The Santorini - Rafina ferry connection operates during the summer season with Golden Star Ferries. The route is served by Golden Princess, a high-speed passenger and vehicle ferry with numbered seating and a garage.

Passenger tickets start at €82, while the basic fare for a standard car begins at €85. The fastest available crossing takes 6 hours and 5 minutes. On selected dates, the journey can last up to 6 hours and 15 minutes, depending on the time spent at intermediate ports.

During the high season, there is up to 1 departure per day or 7 departures per week. The ferry leaves Athinios at 14:15 and arrives in Rafina at 20:20.

Since there is one main departure each day, the fastest and cheapest option is the same sailing. Before booking, check garage availability, the seat category and the arrival time in Attica. An arrival after 20:00 is unsuitable for passengers with an evening flight or a connection from another port.

Key route information

• Cheapest passenger ticket: from €82
• Car ticket: from €85
• Fastest crossing: 6 hours and 5 minutes
• Longest crossing: 6 hours and 15 minutes
• First departure: 14:15
• Last departure: 14:15
• Arrival in Rafina: 20:20
• High-season frequency: up to 1 departure 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: Ios, Paros, Mykonos and Tinos
• Ferry change: not required
• Car transport: available
• Cabins: not available
• Electronic ticket: available
• Departure port: Athinios port, Santorini
• Arrival port: central port of Rafina

Santorini - Rafina ferry ticket prices

The lowest fare for an adult passenger is €82 for a numbered economy seat. If an upgraded seating category is selected, the fare may reach €107.

A ticket for a standard car starts at €85. The vehicle fare is added to the passenger tickets. For two adults travelling with one car, the initial total cost is €249, before discounts or the selection of a higher-priced seat.

The final vehicle price depends on the category entered during booking. Different fares apply to:

• Motorcycles
• Long vehicles
• Camper vans and caravans
• Commercial vehicles
• Vehicles with trailers

On booktickets.gr, the total cost for all passengers and the vehicle is displayed before payment. This makes it possible to compare the complete booking price instead of looking only at the basic passenger fare.

Departures and travel time

The main summer sailing leaves Santorini at 14:15 and reaches Rafina at 20:20. The total journey time is 6 hours and 5 minutes.

The departure time remains the same on the days when the route operates. The actual arrival time may still be affected by weather conditions, traffic at Athinios port and the time spent at intermediate ports.

The route has its highest frequency from June to September, when a daily departure may be available. Fewer travel dates are offered during spring and autumn. The direct connection does not remain active during the low season.

Which route is the fastest and cheapest?

Golden Star Ferries is the only company operating this direct connection. There is therefore no second ferry on the same day with a lower fare or shorter travel time.

Golden Princess is both the fastest and the cheapest choice for Rafina. The main decision for passengers is between the available seating categories.

For someone travelling without a car, a numbered economy seat keeps the fare at €82. For a family, passenger discounts have a greater effect on the final cost than upgrading the seating category. When taking a car, compare the full price of every passenger ticket and the vehicle fare, which starts at €85.

Direct connection and intermediate stops

The ticket covers one continuous journey from Santorini to Rafina. Passengers do not need to change ferries or board again during the crossing.

Golden Princess follows this route:

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

These intermediate stops explain why the high-speed ferry needs more than 6 hours to complete the journey. Passengers remain in their seats or in the common areas. Disembarkation takes place only at the destination printed on the ticket.

Golden Princess on the route

Golden Princess is a high-speed catamaran operated by Golden Star Ferries. It can carry up to 877 passengers and 180 vehicles. Its garage makes the route practical for families who want to use their own car after arriving in Attica.

Facilities on board include:

• Air-conditioned lounges
• Numbered aircraft-style seats
• Numbered seats with tables
• Cafe bar
• Wi-Fi
• Satellite television
• Lift and escalators
• Designated pet areas
• Garage for cars and motorcycles

Cabins are not available on this high-speed ferry. Bookings include a lounge seat, so choosing a numbered seat is useful for a journey lasting more than 6 hours.

Car transport and loading

Golden Princess has a vehicle garage. The car must be added to the booking together with the passenger details.

Garage spaces may sell out before passenger seats. This is more likely on Friday and Sunday sailings and on days when many visitors change accommodation.

Drivers must be at the vehicle loading area at least 60 minutes before departure. At Athinios, arriving 90 minutes early is safer during peak months. Other passengers must leave the vehicle before loading and board through the foot-passenger entrance.

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

Discounts for passengers and families

Golden Star Ferries applies discounts according to passenger age and eligibility. The relevant supporting documents must be shown during boarding.

Children and infants travel under the following terms:

• 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. This 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. A 50% discount is also offered to passengers with a disability rating of 80% or higher, in line with the company's conditions.

Discounts cannot be combined. The booking system applies the category matching the passenger's details and provides the highest permitted reduction.

Find all the routes

Departure from Santorini port

The ferry departs from Athinios, Santorini's main passenger port. The old port of Fira serves cruise ships and is not the boarding point for the ferry to Rafina.

Athinios does not have a permanently assigned numbered gate for Golden Princess. The port authority allocates the berth according to traffic. Passengers should follow announcements and instructions from the ferry company's staff.

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

Athinios can be reached by bus, taxi, private transfer or car. The road leading to the port is narrow, and traffic becomes heavier when several ferries arrive or depart within a short period.

Arrival at Rafina port

Passengers disembark at the central port of Rafina. The exact berth is assigned by the port authority and may change.

Taxis, KTEL intercity buses, shops and ticket agencies are located outside the port. Rafina is 17 kilometres from the airport and 30 kilometres from central Athens.

The scheduled arrival at 20:20 allows passengers to continue to the airport or Athens, but it does not provide a safe connection for an evening flight. A ferry delay or slow vehicle unloading could significantly affect the transfer.

Is the route suitable for a same-day trip?

This sailing does not work for a same-day visit to Attica. The departure at 14:15 and arrival at 20:20 leave no time to return to Santorini on the same day.

The route is suitable for passengers who:

• Have accommodation in Attica for the night
• Are flying from the airport the following day
• Are travelling to eastern or northern Attica
• Are collecting a car or travelling with their own vehicle
• Want to avoid transferring from Piraeus

Due to the evening arrival, this ferry is not a safe choice for passengers with a flight on the same day.

Electronic ticket and web check-in

Golden Star Ferries provides electronic tickets. After booking, each passenger and vehicle ticket is issued separately and can be saved on a mobile phone or printed.

Web check-in opens 48 hours before departure and closes 2 hours before sailing. The booking reference and the passenger's surname are required to complete the process.

Passengers need the following documents when boarding:

• Electronic or printed ticket
• Identity card or passport
• Driving licence for the driver
• Supporting document when a discounted fare has been selected

A booking through booktickets.gr can include passengers, a vehicle, discounts and return tickets in the same transaction.

Return route from Rafina to Santorini

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

On the main summer sailing, the ferry leaves Rafina at 07:20 and reaches Athinios at 12:40. The journey takes 5 hours and 20 minutes.

The morning departure is practical for passengers who have stayed overnight near the port or in eastern Attica. Those arriving by plane on the same day need enough time between landing and boarding.

Alternative ferry routes

The Santorini - Piraeus route operates throughout the year and offers more departures. Passenger tickets start at €46.50, while car fares begin at €95.70.

Sailings to Piraeus take between 5 hours and 30 minutes and 9 hours. The route is served by Blue Star Ferries, Seajets and Fast Ferries.

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

A Santorini - Lavrio connection is also available on selected dates. It operates less frequently and has a longer crossing time than the route to Rafina.

Useful travel tips

• Go to Athinios and not the old port of Fira.
• Arrive at the port 60 minutes early when travelling without a vehicle.
• With a car, plan to arrive 90 minutes before departure.
• Save the electronic ticket on your mobile phone.
• Check garage availability before completing the passenger booking.
• Keep discount documents with your identity card.
• Declare your pet when issuing the ticket.
• Confirm the final berth with the port staff.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Is there a daily ferry from Santorini to Rafina?

Yes. During the high season, there may be 1 sailing per day or 7 departures per week. Outside the summer period, the direct connection is reduced or suspended.

Are there intermediate stops?

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

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 leave from?

The ferry departs from Athinios port. There is no permanently assigned numbered gate because the berth is allocated by the port authority.

Is an electronic ticket available?

Yes. The electronic ticket can be saved on a mobile phone and used for direct boarding together with the required identification document.

Are cabins available on Golden Princess?

No. The ferry has numbered aircraft-style seats and seats with tables, but it does not offer cabins.

In brief

The seasonal Santorini - Rafina route is operated by Golden Princess of Golden Star Ferries. During the high season, there is up to 1 departure per day, leaving at 14:15 and arriving at 20:20.

Passenger tickets start at €82, while car fares begin at €85. The crossing takes from 6 hours and 5 minutes to 6 hours and 15 minutes, with stops at Ios, Paros, Mykonos and Tinos.

The route mainly serves passengers travelling to the airport or eastern Attica who do not have an onward connection on the same evening.

Content editing: booktickets.gr

Last updated: September 2026