Ferry Santorini-Ios

Discover the best ferries from Santorini to Ios, travel tips, prices and many more. Here we go!

In brief, going from Santorini to Ios is very easy!
- Ferries connect the two islands throughout the year.
- Both conventional and high-speed ferries operate this route.
- A standard ticket costs between '8.7' 'EUR' (8.7 euros) and '63.5' 'EUR' (63.5 euros), depending on the company and the type of vessel.

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The ferry Blue Star Delos leaving the port of Santorini

Disclaimer: The information provided below is based on previous years' data. To find the exact routes for your dates, please refer to our booking engine.

The route from Santorini to Ios is operated all year round.
In the high season, there are 3 to 6 daily crossings. During the low season, there are around 4 weekly connections with up to 3 vessels serving the route.
The first ferry departs from Athinios, the main port of Santorini, at 06:45 and the last one at 19:30.

The ferry SuperRunner Jet leaving the port of Santorini

The route from Santorini to Ios is served by both conventional ferries and high-speed/catamaran vessels.
High-speed ferries are smaller and they are equipped with more powerful engines, allowing passengers to reach their destinations faster. By contrast, conventional ferries are much bigger and slower, but they are also more economical.
In addition, most conventional ferries dispose of large garages, capable of transporting numerous vehicles, whereas the high-speed vessels that dispose of a garage have a limited vehicle capacity.
Due to their smaller size, high-speed ferries are more easily affected by bad weather conditions (especially strong winds), so delays may occur in such cases.

The distance between the two islands is 21 nautical miles (24 miles or 39 kilometers).
The duration of the trip depends on the ferry type you are traveling on and company. Reaching Ios with a high-speed vessel takes between 35 and 50 minutes, while the trip with a conventional ferry lasts around 1 hour and 20 minutes. However, the ferry run by Small Cyclades needs 1 hour and 50 minutes, as it stops at other islands along the way too.
The fastest ferry is Worldchampion Jet by Seajets.

A standard ticket costs between '8.7' 'EUR' (8.7 euros) and '63.5' 'EUR' (63.5 euros), while the price of a business-class/VIP ticket ranges from '25.5' 'EUR' (25.5 euros) to '84.7' 'EUR' (84.7 euros), depending on the company and the type of vessel.
Some categories of passengers, including students, ISIC card holders, children under the age of 10, disabled passengers and families with more than 3 children, might be eligible for ticket discounts, which may amount to 50%. Also, most companies allow babies and toddlers to travel for free.

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Standard/economy seats are the most popular and affordable option. In conventional ferries, these seats are not numbered, so your ticket does not correspond to a specific seat. For this reason, we recommend boarding the ferry as soon as possible in order to get a comfortable one. Moreover, you will need to keep an eye on your seat for the entire duration of the journey.
Another option is the airplane seats, which are located in separate lounges. They are more comfortable and they are the most affordable option among the numbered types of seats. For luxury travel, there are also Business/VIP seats, which are situated in a separate lounge and are more expensive.
In high-speed ferries, there are only numbered seats, so a standard ticket corresponds to an airplane seat.

Athinios, the main port of Santorini

All passenger ferries depart from Athinios Port, the main port of Santorini, which is located 8 km from Fira. Its location below the volcanic cliffs makes it one of the most beautiful ports in the Aegean.

Ferries bound for Ios arrive at the port of Ios. Also known as Gialos, it is located 2 km from Ios Town.

Both islands are highly popular among both Greeks and foreigners. The high number of visitors causes traffic around the port, so we strongly recommend being there at least 1 hour before the scheduled departure time.
Do you need a transfer in Santorini? We got you covered! Check out our Transfer service!

Luggage policies in Greek ferries are quite flexible. Most companies allow 40 kg or 0.5 cubic meters of luggage per passenger and provide a luggage storage area on each ferry. If you wish, though, you can take your luggage with you to the lounges or the deck (if available).
It is recommended to leave bulky suitcases in the designated area and take only your personal belongings of significance (wallet, keys, mobile phone, etc.) with you upstairs.

In order to take your car or motorbike to Ios, you need to purchase a vehicle ticket.
Drivers should be at the port 60-90 minutes before the official departure time.
For safety reasons, entering the garage while the ferry is sailing is not possible.
Note: Many car rental companies do not allow customers to ferry their vehicles. We recommend avoiding purchasing a vehicle ticket before contacting your car rental company.

There is no airport on Ios Island, so the only way to get there is by taking the ferry. The closest airport is the International Airport of Santorini.
You can easily take the ferry from any of the ports of Athens (Piraeus, Rafina and Lavrio).
Ios is also well-connected to numerous other islands of the Aegean Sea, including Mykonos, Paros, Naxos, Milos, Amorgos, Syros, and Crete (Heraklion).

The beach of Manganari in Ios

Ios is famous for its gorgeous beaches and vibrant party scene, which make it a popular Cycladic destination among the youth. In addition, it has various lesser-known aspects, such as picturesque cliff-top villages, stunning sights and much more. In our mini-guide to Ios, you can find out the best things to see and do on the island.