Ferry to Athens
Every crossing in one place
Ferry to Athens
Every crossing in one place
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Ferries to Athens are available with Minoan Lines, Blue Star Ferries, Cyclades Fast Ferries, SeaJets & Hellenic Seaways.
There are approximately 213 daily sailings and up to 1213 weekly sailings to Athens. Please note that ferry schedules can change throughout the year and usually increase during the high season. Take advantage of our deal finder for the latest sailing times and availability.
There are 3 ports in Athens. The most popular port is Athens (Piraeus) Port with 1003 weekly sailings.
The Aegina to Athens (Piraeus) ferry sails approximately 32 times per day and up to 210 times per week, with an average sailing duration of 40 minutes. The Aegina Athens (Piraeus) ferry costs approximately $41. Please be aware that prices do not include booking fees.
The Hydra Athens(Piraeus) ferry sails approximately 10 times daily and up to 65 times weekly, with a sailing duration of 1 hour 35 minutes. Hydra Athens (Piraeus) ferry is $97 on average. Exclusive of booking fees.
Prices will vary depending on number of passengers, vehicle type, route and sailing times. Pricing is taken from searches over last 30 days and exclusive of service fees, last updated August 26.
Greek island hopping from Athens starts at Piraeus port, located 30 minutes from the city center, where high-speed and conventional ferries depart daily to the Cyclades, Saronic Islands, Dodecanese and Crete. Sailing times range from 40 minutes to nearby Saronic islands like Aegina, up to 5 hours to popular Cyclades islands such as Mykonos, Paros, and Santorini by high-speed ferry, and 8+ hours to the Dodecanese.
Athens has two ferry ports serving island routes. Piraeus is the largest port in Greece and the main departure point for the Cyclades, Dodecanese, Crete, and the Saronic Islands. It's located around 30-40 minutes from central Athens by metro or taxi. Rafina, near Athens International Airport, is smaller and mainly serves Mykonos, Tinos, Andros, and a few Cyclades routes, often with shorter crossing times than Piraeus for the same island.
The table below covers the most popular ferry routes departing from Athens, using typical high-speed catamaran and conventional ferry times. Actual schedules vary by season and ferry operator, so always confirm sailing times before booking.
| Island | High-Speed Ferry | Conventional Ferry | Island Group |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aegina | 40 minutes | 1 hour | Saronic |
| Poros | 1 hour | 2.5 hours | Saronic |
| Hydra | 1.5 hours | 3 hours | Saronic |
| Spetses | 2 hours | 4 hours | Saronic |
| Mykonos | 2.5–3 hours | 4.5–5 hours | Cyclades |
| Paros | 2.5–3 hours | 4–5 hours | Cyclades |
| Naxos | 3–3.5 hours | 5–5.5 hours | Cyclades |
| Santorini | 4.5–5 hours | 7–8 hours | Cyclades |
| Milos | 2.5–3 hours | 6–7 hours | Cyclades |
| Ios | 3.5–4 hours | 6–7 hours | Cyclades |
| Sifnos | 2–2.5 hours | 4–5 hours | Cyclades |
| Crete (Heraklion) | 4.5–5 hours | 8–9 hours | Crete |
| Rhodes | N/A | 14–18 hours | Dodecanese |
| Kos | N/A | 10–12 hours | Dodecanese |
| Patmos | 4.5–5 hours | 7–8 hours | Dodecanese |
The ferry to Mykonos takes approximately 2 hours and 50 minutes by high-speed catamaran from Piraeus with SeaJets, or slightly less from Rafina. Mykonos is one of the best-connected islands in the Cyclades, making it a natural first or last stop on an island-hopping route.
The ferry to Santorini is one of the longer Cyclades routes, taking around 5 hours and 35 minutes by high-speed ferry with SeaJets or up to 10 hours and 30 minutes on a conventional ferry from Piraeus. Because of the distance, many travelers pair Santorini with a closer island like Ios or Paros rather than visiting it alone.
The ferry to Paros takes about 3 hours and 40 minutes by high-speed ferry from Piraeus with SeaJets. Paros sits centrally in the Cyclades, so it also works well as a base island with frequent onward connections to Naxos, Antiparos, and Mykonos.
The ferry to Naxos takes roughly 3 hours and 25 minutes by high-speed ferry from Piraeus, while conventional ferries take around 5 hours and 20 minutes. Naxos is the largest of the Cyclades and connects easily by short ferry hops to Paros, Ios, and the Small Cyclades.
For a first Greek island holiday, the Cyclades island archipelago offers the easiest combination of frequent ferries, short crossing times, and well-known destinations.
Pairing islands that are situated close together by ferry keeps travel time to a minimum and gives you more time to enjoy the island itself. Below are six popular combinations for a Greek island holiday:
| Duration | Best For | Ferry Time |
|---|---|---|
| 7 days | First visits, iconic views, nightlife and romance | Approximately 3 hours |
This is the classic first-time island-hopping route, combining the energy of Mykonos with the dramatic caldera views of Santorini.
Good to know: Santorini is generally more expensive than Mykonos. The best times to visit are June and September, when you can enjoy the same views with fewer crowds.
| Duration | Best For | Ferry Time |
|---|---|---|
| 7 days | Relaxed pace, windsurfing and families | 30 to 45 minutes |
These neighboring islands are connected by very short ferry journeys, making them ideal for a slower, more relaxed trip focused on beaches and villages rather than nightlife.
Good to know: Nightlife is more low-key on these islands, so this route is best suited to travelers looking for beaches, culture and relaxation rather than parties.
| Duration | Best For | Ferry Time |
|---|---|---|
| 6 days | Photography, food and fewer crowds | Approximately 1 hour |
This route combines the dramatic volcanic landscapes of Milos with the excellent food and traditional atmosphere of Sifnos.
Good to know: Ferry connections are less frequent than on the main Cyclades routes, so it is best to secure the Milos to Sifnos crossing before planning the rest of your itinerary.
| Duration | Best For | Ferry Time |
|---|---|---|
| 6 days | Younger travelers, nightlife and scenery | Approximately 1 hour |
This itinerary combines the lively atmosphere of Ios with the famous landscapes of Santorini, all within a short ferry journey.
Good to know: Ios is generally more affordable than Santorini, making it a good option if you are traveling on a budget. The main town remains lively late into the night during July and August.
| Duration | Best For | Ferry Time |
|---|---|---|
| 7 days | Authentic villages and secluded beaches | Approximately 1 to 1.5 hours |
This itinerary is ideal for slower travel, with time to fully explore Naxos before heading to the small and peaceful island of Koufonisia.
Good to know: Accommodation is limited due to the island’s small size, so booking several months in advance is recommended for summer travel.
| Duration | Best For | Ferry Time |
|---|---|---|
| 4 days | Short trips, no car required and elegant architecture | Approximately 35 to 50 minutes |
This is a car-free escape in the Saronic Gulf, perfect for a short break before or after a longer trip to the Cyclades.
Good to know: Both islands are popular with visitors from Athens, especially at weekends. Ferry services and accommodation tend to be busier and more expensive from Friday to Sunday, so traveling midweek offers a quieter experience.
For more travel inspiration, we have a 5-7 day Greece Island Hopping Itinerary and 10+ day Greece Island Hopping Itinerary.
Yes, there is a car ferry to Athens. Minoan Lines, Blue Star Ferries, Cyclades Fast Ferries, SeaJets & Hellenic Seaways provide car ferries to Athens.
Pets are allowed to travel on ferries to Athens with Minoan Lines, Blue Star Ferries, Cyclades Fast Ferries, SeaJets, Golden Star Ferries, Anes Ferries & Saronic Ferries.
The price of a ferry to Athens can fluctuate by route, operator and season. Please visit our special offers page for all the best ferry offers available.
Whether you need a passport to take a ferry from Athens depends on your destination and nationality. For domestic ferries from Athens to the Greek islands, EU and Schengen citizens can usually travel with a valid passport or national ID card, while non-EU travelers will need a valid passport. International ferry routes from Athens require a passport for all passengers, so it’s important to check entry requirements before traveling.
The best time to take a ferry from Athens is between May and June and September to early October, when the weather is warm, sea conditions are calmer, and ferry schedules are frequent without peak-season crowds. July and August offer the widest choice of ferry departures from Athens’ ports, especially Piraeus, but are also the busiest months.
You should arrive early for any Athens ferry, with most operators recommending passengers get to the terminal at least 45 to 90 minutes before departure. This standard Athens ferry check-in time allows for ticket verification, vehicle boarding (if applicable), and security procedures. This ensures smoother ferry boarding, especially during weekends and peak travel seasons.
Book ferry tickets to Athens online with Direct Ferries by using our Deal Finder and compare routes, prices and operators for the best deals.
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Find out what it's like onboard the ferries before you travel.
Athens, the capital of Greece, is one of the most important ferry travel hubs in the Mediterranean, combining ancient history with excellent sea connections to the Greek islands. Home to iconic landmarks such as the Acropolis and the Parthenon, Athens offers a unique blend of culture, history and modern city life. Travelling by ferry to and from Athens is one of the most convenient ways to explore destinations such as the Cyclades, Crete and the Saronic Islands, with the city’s ports providing easy access to island adventures year-round.
The main ferry ports in Athens are Piraeus Port, Rafina Port and Lavrio Port. Piraeus is the largest and busiest port, offering ferry routes to the Cyclades, Crete, the Dodecanese and the Saronic Islands, while Rafina and Lavrio provide additional connections to nearby islands and seasonal routes.
Yes, Athens is the main departure point for ferries to the Greek islands. The city offers frequent daily ferry crossings to popular destinations, making it an ideal base for island travel.
Popular ferry routes from Athens include Piraeus to Mykonos, Santorini, Paros, Naxos and Crete, as well as shorter crossings to Aegina, Hydra, Poros and Agistri. Travelers can choose between high-speed ferries for faster journeys or conventional ferries for a more relaxed trip, with many services allowing cars and motorbikes.
Yes, high-speed ferries operate from Athens on many routes, offering quicker crossings from Piraeus, Rafina and Lavrio to popular island destinations such as Mykonos, Santorini and Paros.
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