Naxos - Athens (Rafina)
Ferries to Athens
Naxos - Athens (Rafina)
Ferries to Athens
The Naxos to Athens (Rafina) ferry route is provided by 3 ferry companies. The ferry crossing from Naxos to Athens (Rafina) is approximately 5 hours 10 minutes on most ferries servicing this route. Ferries between Naxos and Athens (Rafina) cost from as little as $50 but vary based on season, availability and whether you’re going by foot or by car. Prices exclude any service fees. Ferry timetables change seasonally. Use our Deal Finder to get live pricing and availability for ferries from Naxos to Athens (Rafina).
The ferry from Naxos to Athens (Rafina) is a relaxed way back from the whitewashed Cyclades to the Greek mainland, across the deep blue Aegean, reaching Athens (Rafina) in around 5 hours 10 minutes — or as little as 3 hours on the quicker sailings.
The crossing is part of the trip — settle in on deck, take in the sea air, and watch the islands slip into the distance on the way to Athens (Rafina). Bring your car and extra luggage, or travel as a foot passenger, ready to continue once you reach Athens (Rafina).
Tip: Sailings from Naxos to Athens (Rafina) are busiest in summer, so booking ahead helps you lock in your preferred departure — handy if you have an onward connection from Athens.
Naxos to Athens (Rafina) ferry prices typically range from $50 to $240. The average ferry price from Naxos to Athens (Rafina) is around $107. The cheapest fares usually start from $50. The average foot passenger ticket costs $105. The average price when traveling with a car is $203.
Prices may vary depending on passenger numbers, vehicle type, route, and sailing time. Please be aware that pricing data excludes service fees and is based on searches from the last 30 days. This was last updated September 26.
The cheapest tickets on the Naxos to Athens (Rafina) ferry cost approximately $50. Traveling outside the busy July and August peak is one of the easiest ways to find a lower fare.
Direct Ferries makes it easy to compare ferry tickets and prices worldwide, so you can find the best deal for your journey. Please visit our Special Offers page to see current discounts on selected routes and operators. Booking early is typically the most reliable way to secure lower fares and better availability.
Yes, Direct Ferries offers a range of discounts throughout the year. Where available, senior discounts are applied automatically during the search process: simply select the relevant age range when entering passenger details.
Students and graduates can get a 5% discount on ferry tickets. To take advantage of the discount, register with our partner Student Beans to confirm your student or graduate status. You'll then receive a discount code to enter during payment.
Resident discounts are available on some routes. If they apply to the Naxos to Athens (Rafina) ferry, a residents checkbox will appear above the search button when you enter your travel details. You'll need to show valid proof of residency at check-in — if you can't, the ferry company may ask you to pay the difference for a non-discounted ticket. Everyone on the booking must qualify for the discount; if not, it's best to book separately.
There are around 11 weekly sailings from Naxos to Athens (Rafina). Frequencies are usually at their highest across the summer season and ease off in winter.
Cyclades Fast Ferries provide 1 sailing daily, 3 sailings weekly. SeaJets provide 1 sailing daily, 5 sailings weekly. Golden Star Ferries provide 1 sailing daily, 5 sailings weekly. Please keep in mind that ferry timetables often increase during the high season.
The first ferry from Naxos to Athens (Rafina) usually departs at around 09:00, with the last sailing leaving Naxos Port at approximately 18:50. The crossing covers roughly 95.8 nautical miles and takes around 5 hours 10 minutes on average.
Due to the longer crossing time, ferries between Naxos and Athens (Rafina) are generally better suited to a longer stay than a day trip. For ideas on things to do in Athens (Rafina), visit our blog.
Fast passenger services such as hydrofoils and catamarans run alongside the conventional ferries on many Greek routes. The fastest ferry from Naxos to Athens (Rafina) is with Golden Star Ferries in 3 hours.
The fastest ferries from Naxos to Athens (Rafina) usually cost around $107.
Yes, cars are carried on ferries from Naxos to Athens (Rafina) with Cyclades Fast Ferries, SeaJets & Golden Star Ferries. On many Greek island routes, cars travel on the conventional ferries rather than the fast catamarans, so choose a standard sailing if you're bringing a vehicle. Use our Deal Finder to compare live car-ferry prices.
Yes, you can take a campervan or caravan on the Naxos to Athens (Rafina) ferry, for an average of around $221. As with cars, campervans travel on the conventional ferries, so book a standard sailing and check your vehicle's height and length against the operator's limits.
Bicycles aren't currently accepted on ferries sailing between Naxos and Athens (Rafina).
Yes, foot passengers are welcome from Naxos to Athens (Rafina) with Cyclades Fast Ferries, SeaJets & Golden Star Ferries. Traveling on foot is the most common way to island-hop around the Greek islands, particularly on the fast catamarans.
Yes, cabins can be booked from Naxos to Athens (Rafina) with SeaJets & Golden Star Ferries, ranging from $50 to $534, with an average of $179. Cabins are most common on the longer overnight crossings; the shorter daytime hops are usually seat-only.
Whether an overnight ferry runs between Naxos and Athens (Rafina) depends on the operator and the length of the crossing. Enter your travel details in our Deal Finder to see whether an overnight option is available, alongside daytime alternatives. Overnight crossings can take a little longer than the daytime services.
Yes, pets are welcome on ferries from Naxos to Athens (Rafina) with Cyclades Fast Ferries, SeaJets & Golden Star Ferries. The average price for traveling with a pet is around $222. Greek ferries are generally pet-friendly, though the rules vary by vessel.
When traveling with your pet, you'll usually need:
Where your pet stays depends on the operator and vessel — some ferries have dedicated pet areas or pet-friendly cabins, while on others, pets stay with you in designated spots. Our Deal Finder shows the options for your crossing.
Greek ferries are relaxed about luggage compared with airlines, and most fares let you bring what you can comfortably carry on board, with racks near the entrances. It's still worth checking your operator's policy for larger or extra items, particularly on the fast passenger services where space is tighter. Enter your travel details into our Deal Finder to see the options on the Naxos to Athens (Rafina) ferry. Our ferry facilities guide explains what's typically on board.
The Naxos to Athens (Rafina) ferry is a domestic crossing within Greece, so there's no immigration check for the sailing itself — one of the things that makes island-hopping around the Greek islands so easy. If you're traveling in Greece from abroad, you'll need a valid passport, and possibly a visa or national ID depending on your nationality and Greece's entry rules. As Greece is part of the EU and the Schengen Area, the exact requirements depend on where you're traveling from.
It's a good idea to keep photo ID handy for check-in, as you may be asked to show it when collecting tickets or boarding. To keep things quick, see our Check-in, Travel Documents & Tickets guide before you sail.
Booking your Naxos to Athens (Rafina) ferry is very simple. Enter your departure and arrival ports along with your preferred travel date to view all available sailings and prices. You can also compare alternative routes and departure times to find the option that best suits your schedule and budget.
Look out for early-booking deals and special ticket types such as upgrades or flexi fares that allow changes or cancellations. To keep booking smooth, always enter accurate passenger numbers and vehicle details.
The earlier you book ferries from Naxos to Athens (Rafina), the better — especially for July and August, when the Greek islands are at their busiest and popular sailings fill up well in advance. Booking ahead secures lower prices and a wider choice of departure times, seating and cabins. Outside the summer peak, there's more availability, though schedules thin out over winter.
If no sailings from Naxos to Athens (Rafina) appear on your chosen date, it may come down to the season — many Greek routes run more often in summer and scale back in winter — or to a temporary timetable change. Occasionally, rough weather can disrupt the faster passenger services, which are more weather-sensitive than the larger conventional ferries. We recommend checking alternative dates, nearby routes, or a conventional sailing if a fast ferry isn't running.
After completing your booking, you'll receive a confirmation email with your travel details. How your boarding pass is issued depends on the ferry operator you have booked with.
Some operators provide boarding passes at the time of booking, while others require check-in at the port terminal. Where available, online check-in can be completed through the Direct Ferries app.
Ticket desks are generally located near the terminal entrance, and our port facilities guide covers what to expect at the port. To prevent delays, we recommend arriving early to allow enough time for ticket collection and check-in, particularly during the busy summer season.
At check-in, you'll need to present your booking confirmation and a valid photo ID, such as a passport or identity card. If you're traveling with a pet, relevant documentation such as vaccination records may also be required.
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| Naxos - Athens (Rafina) Ferry Route Prices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Foot Passenger | $105 | |
| Average Price with Car | $203 | |
| Average Price with Motorcycle | $208 | |
| Average Cabin Price | $179 | |
| Naxos - Athens (Rafina) Ferry Route Summary | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Cyclades Islands |
| Destination | Athens |
| No. of Operators | 3 |
| Operators | Cyclades Fast Ferries, SeaJets & Golden Star Ferries |
| Average Price | $107 |
| Average Pet Price | $222 |
| Average Daily Sailings | 2 |
| Average Weekly Sailings | 11 |
| Average Sailing Duration | 5 h 10 m |
| Fastest Sailing Duration | 3 h |
| First Ferry | 09:00 |
| Last Ferry | 18:50 |
| Distance | 96 Nautical Miles |
* Prices subject to change, pricing is taken from last 30 days, last updated 1 September 2026.
The Greek island of Naxos is part of the Cyclades group of islands that lie in the Aegean Sea. Naxos City, or Chora, is the island's largest town and capital and is built amphitheatrically on the island's west coast. It is also home to one of the biggest ports in the Aegean Sea. The town is popular with tourists and as a result there are many bars, restaurants and cafes to cater for them. The small island of Palatia, which extends from the mainland of Naxos, is the town's emblem. Located on the small island is Portara, which is a monument resembling a door standing alone, without any walls attached to either side. A visit to Portara is advisable, especially after your swim, whilst the sun is setting.
The island is also well known for its food and for producing the famous Naxian potatoes, wine, Kitron liquor productions and the popular cheese called Graviera. There are many restaurants located throughout the island serving local produce to the many tourists who visit.
From the island's port ferries depart to Piraeus (Athens) and to the other islands in the Cyclades.
The Greek town of Rafina lies on the east coast of the Attica region of mainland Greece, on the shores of the Aegean Sea. The town is close to the town's of Artemida and Nea Makri and also to the Greek capital, Athens, which is around 25 km to the west. because of its proximity to Athens Rafina is popular with many Athenians who visit to enjoy the town's many fish restaurants that can be found lining the harbour. It is not uncommon to see the day's catch lying on beds of ice outside each restaurant.
In ancient times Rafina was named Arafinidon Alon but its history dates back to prehistoric times, but more specifically to pre-Hellenic times. In Askitario, to the south of Rafina, archaeologists have found a unique vase with a dog painted on it which has been dated back to 2,800 BC. Another significant find was near the town's port where a bronze foundry was discovered and is thought to be one of the oldest in Europe, and dates back to 1800 BC.
After the Port of Piraeus, Rafina's port is the second largest in Attica. Ferry services operating from the port depart to the southern part of Euboea and to the Cyclades islands.
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