Planning to take a ferry in Greece? This guide will help you navigate the Greek ferry system, and make the most out of your Greek island-hopping adventure.
Tips for Ferry Travel in Greece
If you are visiting Greece, you will likely have to catch a ferry at some point. But, while ferries are one of the main forms of transport in Greece, the ferry system can be very intimidating, especially for first-time visitors.
I’m Vanessa from Athens, and have been using the Greek ferries for over four decades. In my head, a Greek summer vacation always begins (and ends) the moment you are getting on (and off) a ferry!
I wrote this guide on Greek ferry travel to help you understand the various ferries and decide how to choose one over another. I will also explain how to buy your ferry tickets, and offer a few tips for a smoother ferry experience.
Exploring Greece by Ferry: What You Need to Know
Greece is a small country in Southeast Europe. It consists of mainland Greece, and several thousands of islands and islets, most of which are uninhabited.
The Greek islands are organized in six island groups, plus two standalone islands. Here is a detailed introduction to the Greek island groups.
While 26 of the Greek islands have airports, most of them are only accessible by sea. This is where the Greek ferry system comes in!
Understanding Greece’s Ferry System
Greece has an extensive ferry system. Ferries connect most islands with the mainland, and also connect certain islands with others in the same group. There are also a few routes that connect islands that belong to different island chains, but are geographically close to each other.
As an example, by looking at the map above, you can see that the Ionian islands and the Cyclades are on opposite sides of Greece. As you would expect, there is no ferry connection between them. Similarly, there are no direct routes between the Northeastern Aegean islands and Crete, as they are too far away.
However, you can find certain ferries running between the Cyclades islands and Crete, or certain Cyclades and some of the Dodecanese and Northeastern Aegean islands.
This interactive Greek ferry ports map brings up all the Greek islands, and shows the ferry routes between them. It’s a very helpful tool when planning a Greek island hopping trip.
Major ferry ports in mainland Greece
Here is a map showing the major mainland ports in Greece, and some of the most popular islands.
Most of the Greek islands in the Aegean Sea, to the east of mainland Greece, are directly connected to Piraeus port in Athens. Depending on the island you are going to, the ferry trip from Piraeus can take anywhere from an hour to about 22 (!) hours.
Corfu, Zante, Kefalonia and all the other islands in the Ionian Sea, are not accessible by ferry from Piraeus. You can get there by plane, or a long ride on the bus from Athens followed by ferry from Killini or Igoumenitsa ports on the western coast.
Similarly, the Sporades islands are accessible on a ferry from Volos and a few other ports. Foreign visitors will usually find it more convenient to fly into Skiathos, which has an international airport.
How to Find Ferry Routes In Greece
The easiest way to find ferry routes in Greece is by checking a Greek ferry comparison platform, which includes all the major ferry companies and ferry routes.
For this purpose, I use and recommend two platforms, Ferryscanner and Ferryhopper. They have slightly different interfaces, but otherwise they are quite similar to each other.
Both of these platforms are great if you want to compare routes offered by different companies, see the fare prices and book your tickets, which you can easily store in one place.
Unlike other online platforms, these two do not charge a commission when you are booking your tickets. You will get the same value as if you booked through the company’s website, or a local travel agent in Greece.
I have used both these platforms extensively in the past few years since they were launched, and am personally happy with both of them. I’ve also had to change my ferry tickets a few times, and was quite impressed with the customer service that both companies offer.
All you need to do is go to either website, type in your port of departure and your port of arrival. Ferryscanner looks like this – you can choose your destination from the drop-down menu.
Ferries To The Greek Islands: What You Need To Know
Let’s have a look at a few things you need to know before taking a ferry to any of the Greek islands:
Ferry companies in Greece
Numerous ferry companies operate in Greece. Some of the best known ones that you are likely to come across are the following:
- Blue Star Ferries – Cyclades, Dodecanese, Northeastern Aegean islands
- SeaJets – Cyclades, Sporades
- Minoan Lines – Milos, Crete, Italy
- Golden Star Ferries – Cyclades
- Levante Ferries – Ionian islands
In order to find all ferry connections from one port to another, you can use one of the platforms mentioned above, Ferryscanner or Ferryhopper.
Types of ferries in Greece
There are many different types of ferries connecting the various ports in Greece.
Some ferries are big (well over 100 m/ 330 ft long), and can fit, literally, thousands of passengers. They have outdoor (deck) areas, often on many levels, plenty of indoor seating, large garages that can carry hundreds of vehicles, and, in most cases, cabins. They are often referred to as “conventional ferries” or “slow ferries”.
The Blue Star Ferries all belong in that category. Below, you can see the Blue Star Naxos, which travels around the Cyclades.
Other ferries, usually referred to as “high-speed ferries”, have no outdoor seating and no cabins, and all seating areas are inside. Some of them have a garage, but others don’t. Most of the SeaJets ferries fall in this category.
As the name suggests, the high-speed ferries are much faster that the conventional ferries. They are also more expensive – often twice the price, or even more, than the slower ferries.
All those ferries have cafes – snack bars, restaurants and lounges. Some of them also have souvenir shops where you can buy a selection of clothes, accessories, books, and various other items.
There are also much smaller vessels known as sea dolphins, that are usually reserved for shorter trips, e.g. to the Saronic islands, close to Athens. In a way, these resemble coaches, as all seating is inside and seats are very close to each other.
All these ferries are available to book on Ferryhopper and Ferryscanner.
Finally, there are also smaller, local ferries that serve shorter distances between certain islands, which you can usually just book at the port before your departure. Good examples of those are the ferries running between Milos and Kimolos, pictured below, as well as the ones connecting Paros and Antiparos.
What’s the best type of ferry to choose in Greece?
Generally speaking, the high-speed ferries that don’t carry vehicles are quite small, and can be affected by the winds that often blow in Greece. If you get seasick easily, this will not be a fun experience, and it will likely ruin the rest of your day.
It’s always a good idea to bring some dramamine pills or ginger tablets for nausea, just in case.
You should also know that, in case of very strong winds, the smaller ferries may be cancelled, as it would be too risky to sail.
Overall, if you have a choice, it’s always best to avoid those types of ferries, and opt for a slower / bigger one instead, especially if you get seasick easily.
Types of seats on the Greek ferries
Each ferry company offers several different types of seats. Here’s a quick guide.
The Blue Star Ferries, and any others in the large / slow ferry category, have a wide selection of seats. These typically include deck (outdoor) seats, numbered seats in different indoor sections of the ferry (airplane seats), VIP lounge seats, and also cabins.
Deck seats are not numbered. This means that you can sit anywhere you find a free seat on the deck, or in one of the public areas inside the ferry.
If you are travelling during peak season (July and August), it’s always best to get an airplane seat. This means that you will have your own designated seat, but you are free to wander around most ferry areas apart from certain lounges and the cabins.
Cabins are more suitable for longer / overnight trips, or if you are traveling with family and want some private space. They are often booked months in advance, so if you want a cabin you’ll need to book it as soon as you can.
The SeaJets usually offer three types of seats: silver, business and platinum. Whether the upgrade is worth the extra cost really depends on your preferences and the time of year. Those ferries get most crowded during high season, which is the best time to upgrade if you want a little more space.
How much do Greek ferry tickets cost?
Greek ferry ticket prices vary a lot, depending on the route. One thing is certain: they have been steadily increasing in the past few years.
It would be fair to say that some ferry tickets are very expensive these days. For example, during peak season, SeaJet prices can easily exceed 100 or 150 euro, even for a relatively short ferry trip. The Blue Star Ferries are more affordable, especially if you are travelling between lesser known islands. Passenger tickets for some trips can be as cheap as 10-15 euro.
As mentioned earlier, most ferry companies offer several different types of seats. As a rule of thumb, the higher the fare, the more comfortable you’ll be – though it sometimes depends on the exact ferry you are on.
Are there any discounts for Greek ferry tickets?
Occasionally, certain ferry companies issue discounted, non-refundable tickets that you can book a few months in advance of your trip. These will be available on each individual company’s website, as well as on the Ferryhopper and Ferryscanner platforms.
Most Greek ferry companies also have discount policies for toddlers, children, students with a valid student ISIC card, and seniors. Make sure that you check if you qualify for any of them, as it can help cut down the cost of your Greek vacation.
Most ferry companies in Greece also offer some type of loyalty scheme. If you visit Greece often, it’s worth joining, as you might be able to get some discounts.
In addition to these discounts, both Ferryhopper and Ferryscanner often announce their own special promotions and discounts for ferries in Greece. It’s worth joining their newsletters to find out about the best deals.
In recent years, many companies reduce their fares during the shoulder / off-season months. So, you might find that the exact same ticket for the exact same ferry would be more expensive for travel in August, than in late September or October.
This is also quite common with hotels – which is why peak season isn’t necessarily the best time to visit the Greek islands.
Finally, local mobile telephony providers, Cosmote, Vodafone and Wind, often offer special codes to their users, which they can use to purchase discounted tickets during the shoulder season. This is only relevant to you if you get a Greek SIM card.
Why can’t I find any ferries in Greece for the date I’m looking for?
If your search doesn’t bring up any routes, there are two reasons for it:
- there is no direct ferry connection between the islands you want to visit on your travel dates
- the ferry companies haven’t announced their schedule for your travel dates yet.
It’s important to know that, if you are travelling during the shoulder / off season, there might not be a daily ferry to your destination.
Also, SeaJets are seasonal – they usually operate between sometime in March / April and October / November. This affects many popular routes, like for example the direct route Mykonos – Santorini.
Most (but not all) big ferry companies announce their summer schedule at some point in late winter / early spring. So if you are looking to buy your Greek ferry tickets many months in advance, no routes will come up. They will be announced closer to the time.
You can check a platform called Openseas.gr to get an idea of ferries that were running the previous year. Routes to the most popular islands rarely change from year to year, so you’ll be mostly able to work out the logistics of your trip.
Example: How to book a ferry from Piraeus to Naxos
And now, let’s see an example using the Ferryscanner platform.
The following table shows all available ferry routes from Piraeus to Naxos for Tuesday, 24 September 2024.
There are five routes in total. Two of them are run by Blue Star Ferries, and three of them are run by SeaJets. Prices for the cheapest seats on each ferry range from 42 euro to 62.70 euro. If you want an upgraded seat (or a cabin), you will be paying more.
These ferries depart from Piraeus at different times of the day. The fastest ferry takes 3 hours 50 minutes, while the slowest takes about 7 hours.
Note that, next to each of the Blue Star Ferries, there is a small symbol showing a bed. This indicates that the ferry has cabins.
The next symbol shows a vehicle and a motorcycle, and it appears for all the ferries apart from the Express Jet. This means that the Express Jet is not so big, and it’s the one most likely to be affected if it turns out to be a windy day.
If time is more important than money, you can take the first SeaJet of the day, which is the fastest ferry going to Naxos. If you are on a budget and do not mind spending some extra time on the ferry, the Blue Star Delos is the best option for you.
Greek ferry logistics – What to know before you board a ferry
Here are a few tips that will be useful if you’ve never taken a ferry in Greece before:
Ferry ports in Greece
There are, literally, hundreds of ferry ports in mainland Greece and the Greek islands.
The biggest, and most chaotic, port in Greece is Piraeus port in Athens. Other ports that tend to get busy are Patras, Igoumenitsa, Chania and Heraklion in Crete, Mykonos, Santorini, Paros, Corfu, Rhodes, Kos, Volos and Rafina, which is also in Athens.
If you are traveling from any of these ports, it’s best to be there an hour before your trip, as you’ll have to find the gate your ferry is departing from and get on the ferry in time.
Ports on smaller or lesser known islands don’t get as busy – sometimes there’s only one or two ferries per day. Still, it’s a good idea to be there at least a half hour, or longer, before your trip.
Baggage allowance on Greek ferries
In theory, most ferry companies allow a max of 50 kg of luggage per person. In practice, no-one ever checks how much luggage you have with you, as the boarding procedure is very fast.
After you board your ferry, there will be a designated area where you can store your luggage for the duration of the trip. If you have a large suitcase, it will be easier to leave it here. Dragging it around the ferry can be a pain, especially during peak season.
It’s important to know that people pile their luggage on top of everyone else’s luggage. When you need to disembark, get to the luggage area with plenty of time to look for your own.
If you can, it’s actually much easier to go to the islands with only a carry-on. If you have a larger suitcase, consider leaving it at your hotel in Athens, or any of the left luggage storage facilities in Athens or Piraeus.
In any case, make sure you keep your valuables with you in a smaller bag or backpack at all times. If you prefer, you could also leave them at the reception for safe storing.
Delays and cancellations
You’ll need to keep in mind that ferries in Greece can be delayed, and therefore you should always allow some flexibility in your travel plans.
Sometimes, ferries can even get cancelled. The main reason for this would be high winds, which mostly affect the smaller ferries, a ferry strike, or other unforeseen circumstances. Ferry strikes only happen a few times a year, but they often happen with very little advance notice.
The 1st of May is always a strike day for ferries, so don’t schedule a ferry trip then.
Overall, if you are flying back home from the Athens airport after returning from an island on a ferry, it’s always best to spend your last evening(s) in the Greek capital. This way, if your ferry is cancelled, you’ll be able to reschedule.
In all my years of traveling around Greece, I’ve only had three cancelled ferries, all due to strong winds. In fact, one of these times, I was stuck on an island for a whole week!
This is one of the reasons why I mostly travel on the slower ferries – they are much less likely to be cancelled than the high speed vessels.
I’ve had a fair few delays though, the longest one being about 4 hours due to an engine failure while we were out at sea. Thankfully, they were able to repair it.
Boarding the ferries
And now for the fun part – boarding the ferry! This procedure is usually pretty chaotic, especially when you are at the bigger ports like Piraeus, or during the peak season.
Upon boarding, you’ll need to show your ticket to the ticket inspectors, so make sure you have it handy. These days, most companies offer e-tickets, so you can just have it on your phone, but you can also print it if you prefer.
Book your ferry ticket here: Ferryhopper or Ferryscanner.
In order to get on the ferry, you will often need to step on an escalator, or sometimes walk up a steep staircase. On the way out, the escalators rarely work, so you’ll have to walk down. Take that into account if you have heavy luggage.
The crew will typically assist wheelchair users and people with mobility issues, but don’t expect them to carry your luggage for you. This is why it’s easier to leave any bigger luggage at the designated area downstairs.
The boarding procedure is fast and crazy, with cars and passengers boarding simultaneously, and the crew shouting instructions at the top of their voice. Yet, once you get used to it, it’s overall super efficient. The words “organized chaos” describe it perfectly 🙂
Just go with the flow, and you’ll be fine!
Getting off the ferry
Disembarking the ferry on an island is equally chaotic as boarding – or maybe more. As passengers and vehicles disembark the ferry, others try to hop on the ferry to travel to one of the next destinations.
Most ferry companies make an announcement a few minutes before you arrive to each island. Keep your ears open, and make sure you arrive at the luggage area with plenty of time to retrieve your bags.
Can I bring my vehicle on the ferry?
If you are travelling with your own motorcycle, car or motorhome, you can bring it on the ferry as well. Anyone traveling in peak season should book their ferry tickets well in advance, as car spaces sometimes do sell out, even on the largest ferries.
On the other hand, if you were thinking to island-hop with a rental car, you might find that it’s not practical. First of all, many car agencies won’t let you take the rental vehicle on the ferry. On top of that, ferry tickets for vehicles can be quite expensive, so it makes more sense to hire a car / motorbike on each island.
Boarding your vehicle on the ferry can be a bit of a challenging procedure. The crew literally yell instructions to help everyone board as quickly as possible, and park in the tightest of spaces. The crew will often ask all other passengers apart from the driver to step out of the vehicle and board on foot, so be prepared for that.
When you leave the car, make sure that you take everything you’ll need on the ferry, like water, snacks, books, electronics etc. Garages are not accessible during the trip – and, even if they were, cars are often parked so tight that you wouldn’t be able to open your car door until you reach your destination.
Can I get food and drink on ferries in Greece?
Ferries in Greece provide a wide selection of beverages, food and drink. Many of them have restaurants, where you can sit down and enjoy a meal. You can also bring your own water, drinks and snacks if you prefer.
Do Greek ferries have toilets?
All ferries in Greece have bathrooms with toilets and wash basins. Some of the bigger ferries may have shower cubicles as well.
Please remember that toilet paper and any other non-organic waste needs to go in the bin, and not in the toilet bowl! In fact, toilet paper often needs to go in the bin in Greece – here’s why.
Are there any security measures on ferries in Greece?
In theory, most ferry companies in Greece allow a max of 50 kg of luggage per person.
In reality though, there are no security measures. You can bring with you as much luggage and as many bottles with liquids as you want, provided you can carry them yourself.
Obviously, illegal items are not permitted.
Is there Wi-Fi on Greek ferries?
These days, many ferries have Wi-Fi that you can use, provided either free of charge or for a fee. With that said, if internet connection is important to you during your ferry trip, it’s probably best to buy a local SIM card.
Eitherway, expect service to be a little patchy at times.
How do I pass my time on the ferry?
There are many thing you can do to pass the time on the ferry, just like you would do on a train or a plane. You can read, listen to music, watch a movie, play a card game, wander around the ferry, get something to eat or drink, talk to other passengers, or take a nap.
Make sure you are wearing comfortable clothes and shoes, especially if your ferry trip is long. Also, if you are sitting indoors, bring a jacket or something similar to keep you warm. The air-condition on certain ferries, such as the Blue Stars, is often set to a very cold temperature – over which you have no control!
Sit on the deck, and enjoy the view!
I’ll leave you with one last tip!
If you are on one of the bigger ferries, grab a seat on the deck and spend some time looking at the sea. I never, ever get tired of this sight!
Transportation to your island accommodation
Once you’ve reached your island destination, there are typically three ways to get to your hotel: taxi / transfer, bus, or even on foot, if you are staying at the port town.
Taxi prices on the islands vary widely, and they depend on the island you are going and the distance you will cover. On bigger islands, you can use a transfer service like Welcome Pickups.
Your hotel should also be able to provide a transfer for you, usually for an extra cost. On smaller islands, hotel owners might pick you up from the port free of charge.
On many islands, there are public buses which will take you to the major towns and resorts. However, there are some islands where there isn’t a bus service, or the bus routes won’t be suitable for you.
In order to find information about bus schedules on the islands, you can use Google (or, even better, Duck Duck Go), and type in the acronym “KTEL” and the name of the island you’d like to go to. For example, this is the website for bus services in Santorini: KTEL Santorini.
It’s important to know that sometimes you’ll need to pay for your bus fare in cash. Bus fares are usually under 5-10 euro, so try to have small notes or coins if you can.
More guides about travelling in Greece
I hope you’ve enjoyed this guide on the Greek ferry system! If you have any questions, please leave a comment down below and I’ll get back to you.
Have a look at these other travel tips for Greece:
- Flights to the Greek islands
- All the Greek islands with an airport – there’s 26 of them!
- Driving in Greece
Hi! I’m Vanessa from Athens and I love travelling around Greece and the Greek islands. Follow me on my social media:
- Facebook page and very active Facebook group
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