Greek Ferries – My Guide

Popular Routes

Ferry Ports

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Greek Ferries – Tickets & Schedules

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  • My process for booking ferry tickets: FerryHopper.com – The best site to book ferries in Greece in advance. Great for exploring schedules, costs and timetables. This is how I reserve almost every ferry ticket I purchase in Greece.
  • Most ferries do not sell out. However for reassurance, I book tickets 2 to 3 months in advance.
  • The vast majority of tickets are electronic documents, which signifies you do not have to pick up a paper ticket before boarding. Instead, online check-in is accessible 48 hours to 30 minutes prior to departure; after check-in you can download your boarding pass to your device.
  • If a ticket purchased online doesn’t have a barcode that usually means you’ll need to pick up a paper ticket when in Greece. This is most often done at the ferry port 30 to 45 minutes before departure. Don’t worry about pick up – it’s easy and effortless and usually very close to your actual ferry.
  • Ferries will depart from their primary morning departure ports (often large locations like Piraeus, Heraklio, and Rhodes) on schedule but will often arrive later and leave later at all subsequent ports – typically getting later throughout the day.
  • Most regions in Greece experience public transportation stoppages on various dates throughout the year involving numerous modes of transit, like buses, trains, ferries, flights, and taxis. During these stoppages very few buses, ferries, and only a small number of trains and domestic flights will depart on time or at all; taxis have a tendency to be the least impacted form of transport. Even though stoppages can take place at any time, there is invariably a huge strike occurring on May 1. It is advisable to avoid reserving any ferries or trains on that day.

Ferries in Greece – The 2024 Guide

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The Greek ferry arrangement is the lifeblood of the Aegean, connecting the mainland with the various inhabited islands. As a traveler to Greece, you’ll discover that the ferries are an indispensable and quintessential part of your journey, offering a unique and gratifying way to explore the landscapes and cultures of the islands. I much prefer taking a ferry than flying between the islands.

Main Ferry Companies
• Blue Star Ferries: Known for their consistency and ease, Blue Star Ferries provides frequent connections between the mainland and islands such as Crete, Rhodes, and the Cyclades.
• Hellenic Seaways: Operating both high-speed catamarans and conventional ferries, Hellenic Seaways covers many routes throughout the Aegean and Saronic Gulf.
• SeaJets: Specializing in swift watercraft, SeaJets provides quick connections between well-known island destinations in the Cyclades, Crete, and the Saronic Gulf.
• ANEK Lines: Focusing mainly on routes connecting mainland ports and the island of Crete, ANEK Lines also serves several other Greek island destinations.
• Minoan Lines is renowned for their luxurious amenities, operating routes between mainland Greece and Crete, as well as international routes to Italy.

Main Ferry Routes
•

There are public restrooms and picnic tables throughout the park, but never leave any food unattended as it attracts black bears. Trailhead and national monument parking are easy to find, even on crowded weekends.

• Dodecanese: This island group, including Rhodes and Kos, is located near the Turkish coast and is well-connected by ferries from Piraeus and other nearby islands.
• Ionian Islands: Situated on western Greece`s coast, accessible islands like Corfu and Zakynthos connect from mainland ports Igoumenitsa and Patras.
• Crete: As Greece’s largest island, Crete has an extensive ferry network with connections from Piraeus, as well as the Cyclades and Dodecanese islands.
•

Saronic Gulf: The islands of the Saronic Gulf, such as Aegina and Hydra, are a short ferry ride from Piraeus and are popular day trip destinations for Athens visitors.

Types of Ferries
• High-Speed Catamarans: These vessels are the quickest transportation option, significantly reducing travel time. They offer a smooth ride but can be more expensive and are more prone to cancellations due to rough sea conditions.
• Conventional Ferries: These are slower but offer more area and amenities, such as open decks, restaurants, and cabins. They are also generally more affordable and better suited for those traveling with vehicles.
• Flying Dolphins: Small, fast hydrofoil vessels for quick connections between nearby islands, particularly in the Saronic Gulf.

Booking Tickets
Ferry tickets can be purchased online (recommended), at travel agencies, or directly at the port. It is advisable to book in 2 to 3 months in advance, particularly for the peak summer season (June to September) when popular routes can sell out quickly. Be sure to arrive at the port at least 30 minutes before departure, as boarding procedures can be unpredictable and boarding gates can change with little notice.

a large group of people on a beach near a boat Important note regarding Greek ferry routes: All ferry schedule information is subject to change with little advance notice. Travellers would be wise to independently verify all ferry details to ensure compatibility with their itineraries.

The Best Website for Booking Greek Ferry Tickets

FerryHopper.com is excellent for purchasing Greek ferry tickets in advance. If advance booking is not preferred then tickets can still be obtained in Greece at any outlet stating “Ferry Tickets for Sale”. Online reservations may occasionally involve a small additional fee but this is usually limited to deliveries. Within Greece, prices are consistent regardless of the purchase location.

Greek Ferry Schedules and Costs for 2024

To research ferry schedules and ticket costs, visit FerryHopper.com – it’s the best site for booking ferry tickets in Greece. They make it very easy to locate what routes are available for your itinerary, and ticket prices are clearly communicated.

Greek Island Route Map

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Common Ferry Routes for the Greek Islands

  • Athens to the Greek Islands – For almost all Greek islands in the Aegean there exists at minimum one ferry each day to and from Athens operating continually throughout the complete year. Two ferry ports serve Athens – Piraeus is closer to the city center, and Rafina is closer to the airport. Most travelers will prefer to utilize Piraeus, as it is easily accessible via central Athens while accommodating the greatest number of ferry routes to the islands.
  • Mykonos to Santorini – Daily ferries typically operate from late March to early October. Other months may require a ferry or flight via Athens.
  • Ferries commonly run daily between the Greek islands of Naxos, Paros, Ios and Santorini throughout the year.
  • Crete to Santorini – Daily ferries usually operate from late March to late October. In other months you’ll need to ferry or fly via Athens.
  • Rhodes to Crete – Service between the locations is intermittent throughout the year, often overnight.
  • Rhodes to Santorini, Mykonos, Cyclades – There are daily ferries from Rhodes to Athens that sometimes pause at a Cycladic island (usually Syros, Naxos, or Paros). From there you can take a ferry to other Cycladic islands.
  • Corfu to Santorini, Crete, Mykonos – There are no ferries that travel between the western islands (Corfu, Zakynthos, Kefalonia) and the Cycladic islands, Crete, Rhodes, or any of the Aegean islands.
  • Italy to Greece – There are summer boats from the east shoreline of Italy to the west coastline of Greece (Corfu, Igoumenitsa, Patras) but no boat from Italy to Crete, Italy to Santorini, Italy to Mykonos, or any of the islands in the Cyclades.

Greek Island Ferry Pass

There is no dedicated ferry pass for Greece or the Greek islands. Eurail does offer a pass including a ferry ticket from Italy to western Greece`s coast and then a constrained number of inner ferry rides within the Aegean. Whether this train and ferry pass proves worthwhile hinges on a wide array of variables and how extensively you plan using the train while in western Europe (there are few functional tourist train routes in Greece.

At times, Greek island vacation packages advertised will bundle a “Greek Island Ferry Pass” – the ferry tickets are individual rides purchased by the Holiday firm. Rarely do these offers provide good value – self-booking hotels, ferries, and flights often yields better pricing.

Greek Ferry App for Maps and Routes

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FAQ – Greek Ferries

How much do ferry tickets typically cost on Greek ferries?
Every route differs. It’s partially based on distance but a 20-mile ferry trip will still take up 50% of a 200-mile journey – so you pay more for each stop than for each mile. There are no return tickets or options for multiple destinations. Each location requires an individual ticket.

The original question asks how many ferry trips run daily on most island routes in Greece.

Transportation between certain Greek islands via passenger ferry can fluctuate widely based on seasonality. During the peak summer months, some popular island routes may see half a dozen or more ferry departures each day, such as between Naxos and Paros. However, less trafficked routes may only feature a single daily connection. Additionally, certain islands remain entirely isolated from one another even at the height of summer, like Corfu and Santorini, or are joined exclusively within that timeframe, such as Mykonos to Santorini or Santorini to Crete. Generally, the shorter the distance separating two islands, the likelier scheduled ferry service exists between them across both seasons

Where to purchase ferry tickets in Athens?

  • Admission Prices: €12 per adult. €6 for European senior citizens (aged 65+) and those under 25 from non-EU countries. A combined ticket costing €15 per person permits single entry to the archaeological site at Akrotiri, the ancient ruins of Thera in Kamari, and the Prehistoric Museum of Thera in Fira. Valid for 3 days.

Do Greek island ferries often sell out?
Yes, some Greek ferries reportedly sell out. Especially on routes between popular islands (e.g. the voyage connecting Mykonos and Santorini). Large Blue Star ferries are stated to almost never sell out.

Is it more affordable to purchase ferry tickets to Greek islands in advance?

No, ferry tickets are not cheaper when purchased in advance. The reasons to buy ferry tickets in advance are convenience and to avoid sold-out ferries.

Can you buy food on board a Greek ferry?
Yes. Sandwiches, ice cream, pastries, chips, cookies, beer, wine, coffee, and soft drinks are available on almost all Greek ferry rides.

What are the lavatories like on a Greek ferry?
Restroom facilities are quite pleasant and kept in a good standard of cleanliness.

Are ferry trips bumpy? Will I experience seasickness on a Greek ferry?
Ferries can cause uneasiness in rough water or strong winds. In general, more sizable ferries tend to move more smoothly. If you’re inclined to seasickness, choose riding the Blue Star ferry. I`ve found that getting up from your seat can induce seasickness even when feeling alright before. It`s advisable to remain seated as much as you can. They supply vomit bags, so request some when boarding if it may be an issue.

How long before departure should I arrive at the ferry port?
30 minutes should suffice, possibly extending to 45 minutes if you need to pick up reserved tickets in advance. Ferries do not wait around for anyone.

a large group of people standing on top of a beach What if my ferry gets rescheduled?
Ferry schedules are prone to transformations, sometimes within mere days of a scheduled departure. (This valid reason to wait until arriving at the port to obtain tickets. If printing tickets ahead of a revision, you`ll need to manage hassles and costs tied to acquiring a new accurate ticket.) In the event of a schedule change, you will receive notification through email or text. Usually, the shift in departure time is minimal but if the new scheduled time won`t work for your itinerary, you must cancel your ticket and make alternate travel arrangements. Note that a routing change may lengthen- or shorten unexpected your trip, making timing concerns a good reason to double check the vessel`s route.

What if my ferry is canceled?
In rare cases where your ferry route gets fully canceled, you will be responsible for finding and arranging alternate travel plans. Cancellation fees are usually not incurred. Here is a notice I received from FerryHopper about a ferry cancellation: a series of photos showing different types of papers

What is the most convenient way to travel from central Athens to the ferry port at Piraeus?
There is a direct train from downtown Athens (Monastiraki station) to the Piraeus ferry port. It takes roughly 20 minutes from central Athens to the ferry terminal.

What is the best way to get from the Athens airport to the Piraeus ferry port?
The simplest way from the airport to the ferry port is the train. First, take the airport train into Athens. Switch trains at the Monastiraki station to the M1 line which will take you straight to the ferry port. Trains do not run 24 hours so if you’re traveling in the middle of the night then use the X96 bus to the ferry port.

What are the main ferry companies in Greece?
There are more than two dozen ferry organizations running in Greece. The largest companies with the most routes are Blue Star,Minoan Lines,Golden Star,Seajets,Fast Ferries, and Hellenic Seaways.

a large white boat sitting on top of a docka large blue and white boat on the watera large boat is docked at a marinaa large white and red cruise ship in the watera red and white boat in the watera large white boat on a body of water

See Also

Greek Ferries – Tips & Information

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Welcome to my travel website! I’m Mary Howard, an American who has been exploring the world full-time for 8 years.

Together with my husband, Intan, we often find ourselves in our second home, Bali, but our adventures take us to exciting destinations all over the globe.

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