Naxos to Santorini Ferry
Naxos to Santorini — At a Glance
- Season: Year-round, with reduced service in winter.
- Frequency: Typically 1 ferry per day in winter, increasing to multiple daily departures (8 per day) in summer.
- Sailing days: Daily service.
- Journey time: 1 hour 35 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes.
- Operators: Seajets, Minoan Lines.
- Tickets from: €20 – €24 per person.
The Naxos to Santorini ferry is one of the most travelled routes in the Cyclades, linking the lush, mountainous beaches of Naxos with the dramatic caldera cliffs of Santorini. The crossing is short enough to fit comfortably into a day of island-hopping, and the service runs year-round — though you will find far more options available if you travel between spring and early autumn.
On average, five ferries a day make the crossing, but that figure tells only part of the story. In summer (June–August) you can choose from up to eight departures daily, giving real flexibility over when you travel. Come winter, the timetable thins to around one service a day, so it pays to plan ahead if you are visiting outside the main season.
Monthly Schedule Overview
Here is a month-by-month overview of ferry service from Naxos to Santorini:
| Month | Available | Avg. Ferries/Day |
|---|---|---|
| January | No | – |
| February | Yes | 1.0 |
| March | Yes | 1.2 (1–2) |
| April | Yes | 3.1 (2–4) |
| May | Yes | 5.7 (4–8) |
| June | Yes | 7.7 (7–9) |
| July | Yes | 8.0 (7–9) |
| August | Yes | 8.0 (7–9) |
| September | Yes | 7.1 (6–9) |
| October | Yes | 4.7 (3–6) |
| November | Yes | 2.0 |
| December | No | – |
Ferry Companies
Two companies operate the Naxos–Santorini route, and the difference in crossing time between them is worth considering when you book:
- Seajets – approximately 2 hours 30 minutes
- Minoan Lines – approximately 1 hour 35 minutes
Tips for the Naxos–Santorini Ferry
- Printing or screenshotting a simple grid of your planned legs (dates, times, operators, ticket references) makes connections far easier to manage in practice.
- The upper open deck in summer is exposed to full sun; apply sunscreen before boarding and reapply if you spend more than an hour on deck.
- If you are prone to seasickness and see a Force 5–6 forecast, take preventive medication the night before as well as on the morning of travel.
- In Santorini, the clifftop villages of Oia and Fira offer the famous caldera views over the submerged volcanic crater, best seen at sunset from Oia’s castle. The 214 steps down to Amoudi Bay lead to some of the best seafood tavernas on the island, and local wine tours offer a taste of Assyrtiko, the volcanic-soil white grape unique to the island.
Useful Resources for Your Greek Island Trip
- Find accommodation in Greece – hotels, apartments and villas on Booking.com
- Book tours and activities in Greece via Viator
- Find guided experiences and day trips via GetYourGuide
- Compare car hire prices in Greece via DiscoverCars
Frequently Asked Questions
How often do ferries run from Naxos to Santorini?
In summer you can choose from up to eight departures a day, making it easy to fit the crossing around your plans. In winter the schedule reduces to around one service daily, so it is worth checking timetables in advance if you are travelling outside peak season.
How long is the ferry from Naxos to Santorini?
The quickest crossing takes approximately 1 hour 35 minutes. The slower option runs to around 2 hours 30 minutes. Which time you get depends on the operator and vessel type you book.
How much does the Naxos to Santorini ferry cost?
Standard seat tickets start from €20 per person. Prices reach up to €24 depending on the operator, the class of seat, and how far in advance you book – or how close to peak season you travel.
Which ferry companies operate the Naxos–Santorini route?
The route is served by Seajets, Minoan Lines.