All you need to know about ferries in Greece

Ferries from Athens

Athens, the capital of Greece, is also the departure point for a multitude of ferries that sail to the Greek islands dotted around the continent. During your trip to Greece, these boats will be a real ally if you want to get around Greece. They’ll give you the opportunity to visit the islands and the mainland, while enjoying a leisurely stroll on the sea.

From the mainland, you can board a ferry at the port of Piraeus, Greece’s largest seaport, or at Rafina, which mainly serves the Sporades and the northern Cyclades. To get from Athens to the Port of Piraeus, you can take a cab or the x96 bus. You can also arrange for a driver to take you there. Here’s a list of the most popular ferry routes from these two ports:

Athens-Santorini ferry

The Athens-Santorini route is one of the most popular, linking the capital to one of the Cyclades’ most popular islands. The journey takes around 9 hours, but some companies, such as Blue Star, do it in 7 hours. Alternatively, you can choose a trip by hovercraft or catamaran, departing from Rafina, which will take around 4 hours. Price: 30 to 50 euros

©Holger – Ferry Cyclades

Athens-Rhodes ferry

A ferry journey between Athens and Rhodes, an island in the Dodecanese, will take between 12 and 17 hours, so try to do it at night to avoid losing a day. You should also expect to pay at least 50 euros for an economy-class ticket. In low season, you can take a ferry on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, departing from Piraeus at 7pm. The rest of the year, this number increases tenfold. Go to Port Gate E1, where all ferries to Rhodes depart from. Discover our itinerary ideas for Rhodes and the Dodecanese.

Athens-Corfu ferry

To get to Corfu by ferry, you’ll first need to take a bus from Athens to Igoumenitsa. There are four daily connections in high season. From Igoumenitsa, the ferry journey will take between 1 and 2 hours. A number of companies are available for this trip. Tickets cost less than ten euros.

Ferry Athens-Heraklion (Crete)

The ferry journey to Heraklion, Crete, takes around 10 hours. The fastest ones take only 6 hours, but will also be more expensive. Anek Lines is the most popular ferry company, but many other operators operate between Athens and Crete during the high season.

Please contact us for more information on ferry schedules and routes from Athens.

Ferries from island to island

Traveling in Greece also means discovering the Greek islands, which are an essential stopover for enjoying the country’s beauty. Here’s a brief list of ferry connections between the various islands:

Ferries in the Cyclades

Traveling from island to island in the Cyclades can be complicated because not all of the islands are connected. You’ll also need to consider the day of the week you want to leave. The most popular islands such as Santorini, Paros, Naxos and Ios are easily accessible all year round. Connections to Folegandros, Sifnos, Milos, Serifos or Kimolos are more difficult. A trip between Santorini and Mykonos costs about 40 euros in economy class. Allow 3 hours for the trip, with one or more stops at other Cycladic islands.

Ferry Heraklion-Santorini

Expect to pay about 40 euros for a maximum 2-hour trip. Catamarans are the fastest way to travel from Santorini to Crete. Ferries departing from Heraklion usually continue to the other Cycladic islands.

Rhodes-Paros Ferry

To get from the Dodecanese to the Cyclades, you’ll need to be patient. The ferry trip takes about 13 hours. So try to leave in the early evening so you can enjoy the whole day when you arrive.

©vololibero – Ferry Grèce

Corfu-Heraklion Ferry

From Crete, you can reach the Ionian Islands, and Corfu in particular, by ferry via the port of Piraeus. Then you take a bus to Igoumenitsa and a ferry to Corfu.

Please contact us for more information on ferry schedules and routes in the Cyclades, Ionian Islands, Dodecanese or Crete, so that you can discover the different regions of Greece more easily.

* Schedule

Finally, schedules vary from year to year and from season to season. Outside the high season, from June to September, there are fewer ferries. Also, if you’re planning a trip to Greece for Orthodox Easter, it’s best to book your ferry well in advance, as many Greeks travel to be reunited with their families.
Please note that ferries are sometimes canceled at the last minute. This is where our offices in Athens come in handy.