Ferries in Greece: the complete guide
Which port to use, how long the crossing takes to Mykonos, Santorini, Crete and Rhodes, how to book, what to do in a meltemi or a strike, and taking a car. Checked on 4 October 2026.
- Three Athens ports: Piraeus, Rafina and Lavrio. Mykonos is fastest from Rafina, from about 1h50.
- Crete and Rhodes have overnight ferries from Piraeus: about 8–12 hours to Heraklion, 10.5–15 hours to Rhodes.
- Strong wind and strikes stop sailings. Keep a spare day before your flight home.
Greek ferries are convenient and affordable, but depend on wind and strikes. Build in flexibility, especially in summer.
In short
- Ferries leave Athens from three ports: Piraeus (the biggest), Rafina and Lavrio. Rafina and Lavrio are closer to the airport.
- Sample crossing times: Rafina to Mykonos from about 1 hour 50 minutes, Piraeus to Santorini from 4:45 to over 11 hours, Heraklion by overnight ferry about 8 to 12 hours, Rhodes 10.5 to 15 hours.
- Wind: from mid-May to mid-September the meltemi blows. In strong wind fast boats are cancelled first, and sometimes the port authority stops all sailings.
- Strikes: when the PNO seamen's union strikes, ferries stay in port all day.
- The key rule: keep a spare day between returning from the island and your flight home.
Athens ports
| Port | Where | Main destinations | From the airport |
|---|---|---|---|
| Piraeus | South-west of central Athens | Cyclades, Crete, Rhodes and the Dodecanese, Saronic islands | Metro line 3 direct to Piraeus station (up to 59 minutes), or the X96 bus |
| Rafina | 33 km east of the centre | Andros, Tinos, Mykonos, Santorini and other Cyclades | About 30 minutes by car. KTEL bus about hourly |
| Lavrio | About 60 km from the centre, about 30 km from the airport | Kea, Kythnos, Cyclades and North Aegean islands | About 30 minutes by car. By bus with a change at Markopoulo |
Piraeus tip: the port is huge. According to Ferryhopper, walking from the entrance to your gate can take up to 30 minutes. Check your ferry's gate in advance. More on getting there: Athens airport to the centre and Piraeus.
How long the ferry takes: main destinations
| Route | Crossing time | Companies | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Piraeus–Mykonos | from 2:40 | Seajets, Blue Star Ferries | Year-round |
| Rafina–Mykonos | from 1:50 | Fast Ferries, Golden Star Ferries, Seajets | Year-round. The shortest crossing to Mykonos |
| Piraeus–Santorini | 4:45 to over 11 hours | Seajets, Blue Star Ferries, Fast Ferries | Up to 8 sailings a day in summer |
| Piraeus–Heraklion (Crete) | 7:50 to about 12 hours | Minoan Lines, ANEK, Blue Star Ferries, Hellenic Seaways, Seajets | Overnight: leave in the evening, arrive in the morning |
| Piraeus–Chania (Souda port) | 7 to 9.5 hours | Blue Star Ferries | 1–2 sailings a day, including overnight |
| Piraeus–Rhodes | 10:40 to 15:10 | Blue Star Ferries | Mostly overnight, 6–7 days a week |
| Lavrio–Kea | about 1 hour | An island close to Athens |
Times and companies from Ferryhopper, October 2026. Timetables change between summer and winter. The fastest crossings are usually on high-speed boats, which are more sensitive to waves.
Ferry or flight? Crete and Rhodes also have nonstop flights from Tel Aviv: flights to Crete, flights to Rhodes. For other islands you can fly to Athens and continue on a domestic flight.
How to book
- Book on the ferry company's website or on booking sites that compare companies.
- Most Greek companies issue an e-ticket with a QR code that you show on your phone. According to Ferryhopper, Fast Ferries requires a printed ticket.
- ID: bring your passport. Without valid ID you can be refused boarding with no refund.
- When to arrive: at least one hour before departure, earlier with a car.
- When to book: in summer and on holiday weekends book ahead, especially with a car or if you want a cabin on an overnight sailing.
- Prices: according to Ferryhopper, a passenger ticket from Piraeus to Santorini or Rhodes starts at about €45.50, and Rafina to Mykonos at about €35.50. Prices vary by vessel type and season.
The meltemi: wind, waves and cancellations
- The meltemi is a strong northerly wind that blows over the Aegean from mid-May to mid-September. It reaches force 7–8 on the Beaufort scale, is strongest in the afternoon, and sometimes lasts several days.
- Fast boats usually cancel at force 7–8. Large ferries usually keep sailing up to force 8.
- Above force 8 the port authority often issues a sailing ban (apagorevtiko). The decision is made by the port authority and the captain.
- It happens outside summer too. For example, on 3 October 2026 a sailing ban was imposed at Piraeus, Rafina and Lavrio because of force 9 winds. In the Saronic Gulf only conventional ferries sailed and hydrofoils stayed in port.
What to do:
- Plan morning sailings, when the wind is usually weaker.
- When strong wind is forecast, choose a large ferry over a fast boat.
- Before heading to the port, check with the ferry company that your sailing is running.
- Don't plan to return from an island on the day of your flight home. Keep a spare day in Athens.
- Weather warnings in Greece.
Ferry strikes
- The PNO seamen's union calls occasional 24-hour strikes. During such a strike all ferries stay in port.
- Examples from 2026: a strike on 5 March and a strike on 1 May, when ferries did not sail anywhere in Greece.
- Strikes are usually announced a few days ahead. Strike calendar, strikes today and check a date.
Taking a car on the ferry
- Most large ferries carry vehicles. According to Ferryhopper, a car on Piraeus–Mykonos starts at about €128 and on Rafina–Mykonos at about €74, on top of passenger tickets.
- The driver boards and leaves with the car. Arrive early: boarding order follows port authority rules.
- Rental cars: you need written permission from the rental company. Hertz Greece also requires Ferry Boat Cover, €20 a day up to €60 per rental. With Avis Greece, damage to the car while on board is not covered. Car rental in Greece guide.
- Sometimes it is simpler and cheaper to rent a new car on the island.
FAQ
How long is the ferry from Athens to Mykonos?
From Rafina from about 1 hour 50 minutes, and from Piraeus from about 2 hours 40 minutes, on a fast boat. Conventional ferries are slower.
How long is the ferry from Athens to Santorini?
From Piraeus between 4 hours 45 minutes and over 11 hours, depending on the vessel and the number of stops.
Can you get to Crete by ferry?
Yes. Overnight ferries leave Piraeus for Heraklion (7:50 to about 12 hours) and for Souda port near Chania (7 to 9.5 hours).
How long is the ferry to Rhodes?
From Piraeus between 10 hours 40 minutes and 15 hours 10 minutes, with Blue Star Ferries. Most sailings leave in the afternoon or evening and arrive the next day.
Which port is better, Piraeus or Rafina?
It depends on the destination. For Mykonos and the northern Cyclades, Rafina is closer to the airport and the crossing is shorter. For Crete, Rhodes and most other destinations you leave from Piraeus.
What happens when there is a sailing ban?
Sailings covered by the ban don't leave until it is lifted. Check with the ferry company when your sailing will leave and what your options are for changing the ticket or getting a refund.
How early should I arrive at the port?
At least one hour before, earlier with a car. At Piraeus allow up to half an hour to walk to your gate.
Can I take a rental car on the ferry?
Only with written permission from the rental company. Some companies require special cover, and damage during the crossing is not always covered.
How do I get from Athens airport to Piraeus port?
Metro line 3, direct to Piraeus station in up to 59 minutes, or the X96 bus, which runs 24 hours.
Crossing times, companies and prices checked on 4 October 2026 using Ferryhopper and Greek media reports. Timetables change between seasons, so check with the ferry company before you travel.
