Islands from Piraeus · Greek Islands
Island hopping from Piraeus
How it works
About Island hopping from Piraeus
Most visitors spend a few days in Athens, then take a ferry from Piraeus to the islands. Here is how the boats work, how long they take, which islands have airports, and how to combine islands into one trip.
Why Piraeus
Piraeus has been the port of Athens since antiquity, when the Long Walls joined it to the city, and today it is one of the busiest passenger ports in Europe. From its quays, ferries leave every day for the Cyclades, the Saronic Gulf, Crete and the Dodecanese, which is why so many visitors combine a few days in Athens with a stay on an island.
The port is about 12 km from the centre. Metro line 1 runs from Monastiraki and Omonia to Piraeus station, opposite the ferry gates, and the suburban railway and line 3 of the metro now also reach Piraeus. A taxi from the centre takes about 20 to 30 minutes outside rush hour.
A taxi from the centre takes about 20 to 30 minutes outside rush hour.
Finding your boat
Piraeus is big, with numbered gates spread along several kilometres of quay. Ferries to the Cyclades usually leave from the gates closest to the metro station, but always check the gate on your ticket, and allow at least an hour before departure in summer; free shuttle buses run between the gates. Most tickets are now electronic, so keep the booking on your phone along with your passport or ID.
Two smaller ports can be handier. Rafina, on the east coast near the airport, has frequent ferries to Andros, Tinos, Mykonos and other islands, and Lavrio, near Cape Sounion, serves Kea and some western Cyclades routes.
High-speed or conventional?
High-speed catamarans are the quickest way to the islands, often halving the journey, but they are more expensive and can be bumpy when the summer meltemi wind blows. Big conventional ferries, such as those of Blue Star Ferries, are slower and cheaper, with open decks, cafés and lounges, and they keep sailing in rougher weather. Many routes stop at several islands on the way, so the same trip can take very different times on different boats.
In July and August, and around the Greek holiday of 15 August, ferries sell out, so book ahead online. Outside the summer season there are fewer sailings, and many high-speed services only run from about April to October.
Islands with airports
Several Cyclades have airports with short flights from Athens, usually 35 to 50 minutes: Santorini, Mykonos, Paros, Naxos, Milos and Syros. Santorini and Mykonos also receive international flights in summer. Ios, Sifnos, Amorgos, Tinos and Folegandros have no airport, so you arrive by sea, often after flying to a neighbouring island.
Classic routes
The Cyclades are made for island hopping, and ferries link the islands with each other as well as with Piraeus. Popular combinations include Paros and Naxos, the easiest pair for first-timers; Mykonos with Tinos and Syros; Santorini with Ios and Folegandros; and the western islands of Milos, Sifnos and Folegandros. Allow at least three or four nights per island to enjoy it without rushing, and check that the connections you need run on the days you want.
Why it's on our list
- Piraeus, Rafina and Lavrio explained
- High-speed or conventional ferry?
- Which islands have airports
- Classic island-hopping routes
Ferries at a glance
Ferry times are typical and change with the season, the boat and the number of stops; check current timetables with the ferry companies or Ferryhopper before you travel.
Ports · 3
Piraeus: metro line 1 to Piraeus station, Rafina: near the airport, for Andros, Tinos and Mykonos, Lavrio: near Sounion, for Kea and some western routes
Islands with airports · 6
Santorini, Mykonos, Paros, Naxos, Milos, Syros
Ferry only · 5
Ios, Sifnos, Amorgos, Tinos, Folegandros
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Island hopping from Piraeus before you go.