Day trip Santorini from Chania: Oia & Fira by boat

The boat crossing itself is half the journey: two and a half hours watching the Aegean open up before you reach the island.

A full-day guided tour of Santorini departing from Chania areas with hotel pickup, boat transport from Rethymnon, and a professional guide in five languages. The itinerary splits the day between Oia (the northernmost village with its signature blue-and-white houses), and Fira, where you have 2.5 hours free to explore, shop or sit with a view of the volcano. You return by ferry the same evening, arriving back in Chania around 7:25pm. The guide leads you through both towns. The rest of the time is yours to spend.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day trip from Chania to Santorini

• Pick up from Chania Areas, Salos
• Depart from Rethymnon Port
• Arrive at Santorini port
• Travel to Oia village
• Free time in Oia for sightseeing
• Depart from Oia to Fira
• Free time in Fira for exploring and shopping
• Depart from Fira to Santorini port
• Depart from Santorini to Rethymnon port
• Arrive back at Chania Areas

The experience

The day starts before dawn. Pickup runs from central meeting points across Chania areas (Stalos, Platanias, Halidon Street, Nea Chora and others) beginning up to 90 minutes before the 8am ferry departure. You'll be at Rethymnon port by then, with 30 minutes to spare before boarding the air-conditioned ferry for the crossing. The boat holds steady for 2.5 hours. Most travelers spend it on deck watching the water change color as Santorini rises ahead.

Oia comes first. The guide walks you through the village perched at the island's northernmost tip, pointing out the typical blue-and-white houses stacked across the hillside and the views that drop toward the caldera. You have free time after the tour ends: long enough to walk the narrow streets, find a café, or just stand and look. Then it's a short drive to Fira, the capital, where you get 2.5 hours on your own. Most people spend it exploring the town center, shopping in the boutiques along the main street, or sitting at a bar with a drink and a view of the volcano across the water. The guide is there if you need one. Otherwise, the time is yours.

At 4pm you head back down to Athinios port for the return ferry. The crossing takes the same 2.5 hours, and you'll be back in Rethymnon by 7:25pm, then transferred to your hotel in Chania. The whole day runs 14 hours door to door. Your guide speaks English, German, French, Italian or Russian. You'll know which one when you book. Round-trip boat tickets, the vehicle on the island, and the guided portions of Oia and Fira are all included. Food and drinks are on you.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup from Chania areas and transfer to Rethymnon port.
• round-trip ferry tickets to Santorini.
• air-conditioned vehicle transport on the island.
• guided tour of Oia village and Fira town.
• professional guide in English, German, French, Italian or Russian.

Options for this experience

2 options

From Rethymnon PortGuide in 6 languages · 08:00Discover the charm and romance of Santorini on a one-day outing from Crete. Your journey begins at the Port of Rethymnon.

With TransferGuide in 6 languages · 08:00One-day transfer to Santorini island from the Heraklion area.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesSaturdayDeparts at 08:00Last departure this season: 31 Oct

Book up to10h before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Infant (under 5): free

GroupUp to 100

Live guideEnglish, French, German, Italian, Dutch and Russian

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by PLATANOS TOURS

Is this one for you?Book the "With Transfer" option if your hotel is in one of the Chania pickup zones. It saves you the drive to Rethymnon. If you're staying in Rethymnon itself or prefer to meet at the port, the "from Rethymnon Port" option skips the hotel pickup and starts at the ferry dock.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, French, German, Italian, Russian and Dutch.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 17 years); Child (5 to 11 years); Infant (under 5): free.

How long is the boat ride from Rethymnon to Santorini?

The ferry crossing takes 2.5 hours each way. You'll depart Rethymnon at 8am and arrive at Santorini port at 10:25am, then return in the late afternoon, arriving back in Rethymnon at 7:25pm.

What do I actually do in Oia and Fira? Is it all guided or do I have free time?

Oia is a guided walk through the village where the guide shows you the blue-and-white houses and the caldera views, then you have free time to explore on your own. In Fira, you get 2.5 hours completely free to shop, eat, drink or wander: no guide required unless you want one.

Where does the pickup happen in Chania?

Pickup runs from central meeting points across Chania areas, including Stalos, Platanias, Halidon Street, Nea Chora, Agioi Apostoloi, Xrysi Akti, Daratso, Galatas, Kalamaki, Agia Marina, Gerani and Chania center. You'll be told your exact pickup point and time by email after booking, and pickup begins up to 90 minutes before the 8am ferry departure.

Is there a volcano tour option?

An optional boat tour of the volcano is available for €20 extra, which you can add at checkout.