Day trip Santorini from Chania: Oia & Fira by boat

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.00 (3 reviews)

Free cancellation

1/30

Duration14h

GroupUp to 100

LanguagesEN · DE +4

Mobile ticketAccepted

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.

14h

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.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelWheelchair 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.