Greece › Greek Ferries › Athens to Mykonos
By Santorini Dave
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The Piraeus Ferry Port is 30-minutes by taxi or train from central Athens. Ferries to Mykonos depart from Gates E6, E7, and E8 which are directly across the street from the train station. Tickets can purchased in Piraeus but it’s better to buy ferry tickets in advance.
Ferries from Athens (Piraeus) to Mykonos
Mykonos is a 2.5 to 3-hour ferry ride from the Piraeus Ferry Port by the fastest highspeed ferries and catamarans, and 4 to 6 hours by the slower car ferries. Most ferries from Athens to Mykonos also stop in Syros and Tinos en route. In high season (May to October) there will be 3 to 5 ferries per day from the Piraeus Port. In low season there will always be at least one ferry per day. There are also ferries from the Rafina ferry port to Mykonos. Rafina is farther from central Athens than Piraeus but closer to the Athens airport. Typically ferries depart from Athens to Mykonos in the morning and return from Mykonos to Athens in the afternoon.
Departure Ports in Athens
Ferries to Mykonos depart from two primary ports near Athens: Piraeus and Rafina.
• Piraeus: The largest and busiest port in Greece, Piraeus is located approximately 10 kilometers southwest of central Athens. The port is easily accessible via public transportation, including the Athens Metro Line 1 (Green Line) and various bus routes. Most ferries to Mykonos depart from Piraeus.
• Rafina: Located 30 kilometers east of Athens, Rafina is a smaller port with fewer departures but offers a closer option for those staying near Athens International Airport. Buses run regularly between the airport and Rafina port. Rafina is also geographically closer to Mykonos, which can result in shorter travel times.Ferry Operators
Several ferry companies operate the route between Athens and Mykonos, offering a range of services, vessel types, and ticket options:
• Blue Star Ferries: Known for their comfort and reliability, Blue Star Ferries operates conventional ferries with regular departures from Piraeus to Mykonos. The journey typically takes around 4-6 hours.
• SeaJets: Specializing in high-speed catamarans, SeaJets offers faster connections between Athens and Mykonos. The journey duration is approximately 2.5-3 hours.
• Hellenic Seaways: Operating both high-speed catamarans and conventional ferries, Hellenic Seaways provides services between Athens and Mykonos. Journey durations vary depending on the type of vessel.
• Golden Star Ferries: Offering conventional and high-speed ferries, Golden Star Ferries connects Athens and Mykonos with varying travel times depending on the vessel.Ticket Classes and Amenities
• Economy Class: The most affordable option, offering basic seating in indoor or outdoor areas.
• Air Seat Lounge: Comfortable airplane-style seats in a designated indoor seating area.
• VIP & Business Class: A more luxurious experience with spacious, comfortable seating and additional amenities.
• Cabins: Available on overnight and some daytime trips, cabins offer private accommodations with beds and en-suite facilities.
• Ferries generally offer a range of amenities, such as restaurants, bars, snack kiosks, and Wi-Fi. The availability of these services depends on the ferry company and vessel type.Booking Tickets
Ferry tickets can be purchased online (recommended), at travel agencies, or directly at the Piraeus port. It is advisable to book in advance, especially during the peak high 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 departure gates can change with little notice.Practical Tips
• Check the weather forecast: High-speed ferries are more susceptible to cancellations due to rough sea conditions. Keep an eye on the weather and have a backup plan in case of cancellations.
• Pack a light jacket or sweater: Even during the summer, the sea breeze can be cool, especially on outdoor decks or when traveling on high-speed ferries.
• Arrive early at the port: In the high season, ports can be crowded and boarding procedures may take longer. Arrive at least 45 minutes before departure to ensure a stress free departure.
Ferries to Mykonos depart from gates directly across the road from the metro train station.
There is now a direct train from the Athens International Airport to the Piraeus ferry port. The station is directly across the street from the E6 port entrance.
Example Piraeus to Mykonos Ferry Schedule
Piraeus-Mykonos ferry schedule on ferryhopper.com.
• How to buy ferry tickets: Ferryhopper.com
• Best seats: I recommend Business or VIP if available (nicer seats in a more relaxed setting)
• When to book tickets: 2 to 3 months in advance (any sooner and some ferry routes might not be released yet, any later and some ferries could be sold out)
The main Mykonos ferry port (also called Tourlos or the New Ferry Port) is 2 km north of Mykonos Town. Buses and taxis pick up and drop off directly in front of the ferries.
Two buses will be at the Mykonos Ferry Port for all arriving ferries. One bus to the airport and Fabrika bus station (for buses to most Mykonos beaches) …
… and one bus to the Old Port (in Mykonos Town) and Agios Stefanos.
Common Ferries from Athens (Piraeus) to Mykonos
The SeaJets Worldchampion Jet is the fastest ferry from Piraeus to Mykonos.
Standard Seating (silver) on the Worldchampion Jet ferry between Athens and Mykonos.
Business (club class) and VIP (platinum) are similar but have tables and more space and leg room. The best views are found in Business and VIP.
The FastFerries Thunder ferry from Piraeus to Mykonos.
The Blue Star Paros ferry from Athens to Mykonos.
The Blue Star Myconos ferry from Athens to Mykonos.
The Blue Star Patmos ferry from Athens to Mykonos.
The Hellenic Seaways Nissos Rodos ferry from Piraeus to Mykonos. (Hellenic is owned by Blue Star so it’s often named the Blue Star Rodos Nissos on ticketing sites.)
The Hellenic Seaways Nissos Chios ferry from Piraeus to Mykonos. (Hellenic is owned by Blue Star so it’s often named the Blue Star Chios Nissos on ticketing sites.)
I'm Santorini Dave. I started this site in 2011 with a short article on tips for visiting Santorini with kids. We're now a small team of writers and researchers dedicated to providing the best travel content on the internet. We focus on 
Hi Dave,
First off, thanks for all of the great info!! So i’m currently trying to book a ferry from Athens to Mykonos on 8/14/24, and Seajets is offering a 9:30am trip on the “Jumbo Jet”, however, I cannot find this vessel on their website or anywhere else?! Would like to see the size/type of boat before purchasing, as the only other viable option for us would be the “WorldChampion Jet” at 7am. Would you happen to know anything about the “Jumbo Jet”? Perhaps it was rebranded recently? Thank you!!
I’m pretty sure the Seajets “Jumbo Jet” is the Champion Jet 1.
Hi Dave, do you know by chance what the difference is between lounge 2 and lounge 1 business seats on Blue Star Ferry Mykonos boat? There is no information available anywhere about seating plans and differences on Blue Star ferries.
Thanks!
Inna
When I took a Blue Star, Lounges 1 & 2 had airplane-style seating and were near the front of the ferry but on opposite sides of the ship. Essentially, no difference between the two lounges.
Hi Dave
Thank you for this informative site. I’ve been checking the ferry schedule for end of June and wondering if the Santorini Palace or Champion Jet I are stable for travel from Athens to Mykonos (I have little confidence that we would make it for the World Champion Jet at 7am). Or Should we fly? We are planning to ferry from Mykonos to Santorini and then to Crete and don’t want a really bumpy ride early on to turn the family off (adult/teenagers).
Thank you
Lucy
Both are large catamarans and, I think, provide a fairly stable ride. Either will be fine for Athens to Mykonos – which is a reasonably quick ride.
Hi,
I am not getting ferry options for last week of November from Athens to Mykonos or any of the islands? Are they not plying that time?
There will be at least one direct ferry from Athens to Mykonos every day in November (and all of winter). Probably Blue Star. But routes to other islands are not guaranteed. I would check in September for the November schedule.
Hi! We are travelling to Greece in March. I know this is the offseason, so I was wondering if it is possible to hop from Athens to Mykonos to Santorini to Crete then on to Italy? Thanks!
Alison
Athens to Mykonos is no problem. The rest of the route will depend on what’s available and you won’t be certain until the schedules are released. The later in March you travel the more likely they’ll be ferries from Mykonos to Santorini and Santorini to Crete. And then whether there are any Heraklion to Italy flights (most likely Rome or Venice).
Hi Dave very informative article. I’m flying into Athens Oct then onto Mykonos and Santorini with a 3yrold and 15 yr old. What ferry would you recommend to/from Athens to Mykonos and Santorini? And is Metro easy enough from the City to Port with children?
The best, most reliable ferry from Athens to Mykonos for you and your kids is the Blue Star that leaves Piraeus at 7:30am. My recommended ferry from Mykonos to Santorini would be the Golden Star Superrunner. And my preferred ferry from Santorini to Athens is the Blue Star at 3:30pm. This does get you into Athens late at 11:30pm. But the early ferries are on the small SeaJet catamarans which can be very bumpy and unpleasant for a long ride like Santorini-Athens. The metro is very easy from Athens to Piraeus ferry port. The area around the Monastiraki metro station (in Athens) can feel sketchy in the early morning hours. Stay close to the station (A for Athens is right across the square) and buy tickets the night before (then validate when you take the train in the morning) so you can get right into the station and down to the tracks where there are always many people.
Hi Dave! I’m heading to Greece very soon and will be taking a ferry from Rafina to Mykonos but staying a couple of nights in Athens first. I was wondering how to get from the city to Rafina? Thanks!
The easiest way (though not necessarily the way I recommend) from Athens Center to Rafina is taxi. Obviously, that’s not the cheapest. The cheapest is the bus that leaves from near the Archaeological Museum. It takes 60 to 90 minutes depending on traffic. (And you need to get to that area first.) The best way for most people is to take the train to the airport then catch the Athens Airport to Rafina bus. But even better is to take the Mykonos ferry that departs from Piraeus. It’s much easier, cheaper, and faster to get to the Piraeus port vs the Rafina port.
Hi Dave, I will visiting Mykonos on the 21 November. From your experience, are there any ferries operate from Athens to Mykonos on that day? If yes, When the schedule will be released on the website? I’m looking forward for your kindly reply. Ricky
You’re right, they’re very late in getting the schedule out. But there almost certainly will be a daily ferry (with Blue Star) from Athens to Mykonos. Not sure when it will be up on their website but there’s a 99% there is a ferry every day to Mykonos.
Hi Dave! This site is amazing. I am visiting Mykonos Oct 3-8. I arrive Athens at 10am from JFK and there is an 11:40am flight to Mykonos with Sky Express. Is that enough time to go through customs and catch this flight, assuming my 10am lands on time? The next flight is not until 4pm so I would love to maximize my time in Mykonos since I’ll be staying in Athens on the return.
Sumeet Khemani
Boy, that’s a tough call. It would be so nice to make that connection. If you’re arriving from the EU (and don’t have to go through passport control) then I’d say you’ll make it. If you’re arriving from outside the EU then you’ll need to go through passport control and that will cost you 20 to 40 minutes. Either way there is some risk but if arriving from the EU, personally, I’d probably roll the dice and book the earlier flight.
Hi Dave, I intend to travel Greece in Mid December. Is it worth going Mykonos from Athens with family.
There’s little to see in Mykonos in December. Santorini is a much better choice with more to see in December.
Hi Dave!
I am travelling from Mykonos to Athens on July 1st. The only ferry that I see available by recommendation is Hellenic but it is a 7:30pm which is much too late, what other ferry do you recommend we take to get to the Athens port (Piraeus). I have a choice between taking Sea Jets which seems to get there faster or would it be better to take Blue Star for the longer ride? Also, what is the best way to get from Piraeus to Monastiraki, Athens? How much should I expect a taxi to be or is there an easier route by metro? Thank you !! Ps. Your site is awesome and has helped a lot in my planning.
Diana
Between the Blue Star and the Sea Jet, I would take the Sea Jet (in this specific case). Often the Sea Jet runs the smaller seajet2 on this route and it’s quite miserable. Small, crowded, bumpy. But they seem to be running the larger Champion Jet now and it’s much better – and saves a lot of time off taking the Blue Star. When you get off in Piraeus follow the crowds to the metro station (everyone will be going there). It’s about a 5 minute walk and easy to find. Buy tickets from the machines (to the left as you enter the building) or the cashier (to the right). This is the last stop so trains only go in one direction from here. Take train 7 stops to Monastiraki – it’s direct, no need to change trains.
Hi, thanks for all of the work you put in here. Our flight is due to arrive in Athens at 15:45, then we want to catch the 17:30 fast ferry from Rafina to Mykonos. We are flying in from Spain so we won’t be able to get the ticket ahead of time. Do you think this will work?
Jon
It should work but you don’t have much time to spare so could easily miss it. If you’ve made it out of immigration/customs by 16:30 I would buy your ferry ticket at the Aktina Travel Agency in the airport (assuming lines are short). Obviously, take a taxi to Rafina as bus will be much too slow. Ferries never leave early so as long as you’re there by 17:29 you’ll get on.
HI Dave,
Am heading to Mykonos from Athens on the 2nd July this year, however our flight arrives late into Athens on the 1st of July. I am unsure whether to pre purchase tickets online to be safe, but then comes the struggle of having to pick up the tickets late at night upon arrival to Athens. Do you have any suggestions? Tegan
If you book ferry tickets in advance it’s best/easiest to pick them up the morning of travel from the kiosks at Piraeus. Just be sure to arrive in Piraeus about 45 minutes before your scheduled departure. There’s no need to pick up the night before.
The kiosks are easy to find and to the left as you enter the port area in Piraeus (the Athens ferry port).
Hi Dave,
I want to go to Rhodes for 3 days in mid-June and then to an island like Mykonos or Paros but I don’t see an easy way to get from Rhodes to the others. Does it make sense to fly back to Athens and take a ferry to either of the two other islands? Or should I skip those islands and check out Kos. Thoughts?
Andrew
Is it worth the effort, yes. But if you’re going to do it then just fly the whole way. No sense landing at the airport then taxi/bus to the port and then a 4 hour ferry. Might as well jump on the next flight and be there in an hour.
Hi Dave, We arrive in Athens at noon and want to try to catch a 1:20pm flight to Mykonos. The international layover requirement time is 50 minutes, but do you think this is possible? We will have to grab our bags, recheck them in with a different airline, go through customs, etc.
Ingrid
It’s possible but I would not be comfortable booking that connection.
Hi Dave. I am visiting Mykonos in September. I am from Australia and will arrive to Athens at 2.05pm (flying Emirates) and have booked a connecting flight to Mykonos at 4.40pm. Do you think that will leave enough time to go through customs/immigration, collect luggage, and check in for the Mykonos flight?
Rob
Yes, I think you should be fine. Of course, with some bad luck it could get close but I’d be OK (just) making those plans myself.
Hi Dave,
So pleased I found your website! My sister and I would love to do a trip to Greece next year (around July/August) – but are struggling to find actual prices of ferries between the islands in order to work out some sort of idea of costs over and above flights. We are thinking of doing the slow Blue Star ferries (cheaper and we can enjoy the views) and our route would be as follows (your thoughts on this too please): fly direct from Johannesburg to Athens (spend 1 day/night), then ferry to Mykonos (3 days), then ferry to Paros (2 days), then ferry to Santorini (4 days). Then fly from Santorini back home to SA.
Please can you advise ferry prices between these islands and if possible a rough idea of how much it would cost to get from the hotel to the ferry itself (I know this would obviously depend largely on where one is staying but just a rough estimate would help).
Helen
Ferry Costs in Economy:
Athens to Mykonos: 36€
Mykonos to Paros: 17€
Paros to Santorini: 18€
Bus Costs:
Athens Airport to Downtown Athens: 5€
Athens to Ferry Port: 1.20€
Mykonos Town to Ferry Port: 2€
Paros (Parikia) to Ferry Port: walk
Santorini (Fira) to Ferry Port: 2€
Hi Dave and thank you for the post, very helpful! Any recommendations for spending New Year Eve in Athens vs Mykonos vs Santorini? Planning to spend 6 days total with a group of friends exploring Athens or one of the islands. Thank you!
Roy
Over New Years Mykonos will be dead and Santorini will be very quiet but still a little life. Athens is where you want to be for New Years. And then 3 or 4 days in Santorini.
One site says the Blue Star ferries operate 365 days of the year. However when I went on their website to book for Nov 4th, the only date they give me is October 31st. Is there some way to book ahead for November or do they only allow one month at a time?
Debra
There’ll be a ferry, schedule just hasn’t been released yet. No need to buy in advance anyways.
Hi Dave,
Thank you so so much for your helpful posts. Your posts are helping me a lot in planning out my trip to Greece and I cannot wait. However, I was wondering if you can help me out a bit more in planning out my days out there. I am coming from New York and planning to visit Athens, Santorini, and Mykonos in May. Staying possibly 7 days. How would you recommend me planning out my days there?
Leslie
Start your trip by flying directly to Santorini (even if you are flying to Athens first just get on the next plane to Santorini – save Athens to the end, no need to go through central Athens twice). Stay in Santorini for 3 full days, then ferry to Mykonos and stay there for 2/3 nights (Mykonos in May can still be a little slow and depending if it’s early or late May it might not be swimming weather yet). Then ferry from Mykonos and finish with at least one full day in Athens.
Hi Dave,
Do you have any sense of how long of a layover you need in Athens? We will be flying from Mykonos to Athens, and then Athens to JFK (departs Athens at 2:10 PM) and wondering how early of a flight we need from Mykonos (would a flight that arrives Athens at 12:25PM be cutting it too close?
Thanks for the help!
Leigh
A 12:25 arrival is fine if you arrive at 12:25 but Mykonos airport is not very efficient. It would be very easy for your flight to be an hour or more late getting into Athens. I would not be comfortable booking that flight. That said, it would probably work out “most of the time”.
Hi Dave – Is the Blue Star Ferry ticket booth open on Sundays? I plan on taking the ferry from Piraeus to Mykonos on Monday, May 23 and want to buy the ticket a day before (Sunday 5/22). Is this possible?
Thank you for your help!
Ting
Yes, the Blue Star ticket booth is open every day. But there is no need to go out to Piraeus to buy tickets. You can easily purchase at any travel agency in downtown Athens. Price will be the same at all.
Hello Dave,
My husband and I will be traveling to Greece in April. I wanted to get your input on the amount to time we should stay in Athens, Mykonos and Santorini and how we should go about traveling between the places. We will be flying into Athens from Turkey. We are thinking 2 nights in Athens, 2 nights in Mykonos and 3 nights in Santorini. What do you think about it? Both my husband and I are not too big on museums, although we do love to see different culture. Would you even recommend 1 night in Athens and perhaps do an extra one in Mykonos, or do you think we can squeeze in another island experience? Also, in terms of transportation what do you think will be our best bet? There are still cheap flights available and we are open to a mix of flights/ferry options or even exclusively flying options as we would like to make the most of our time. Would truly appreciate your feedback and love all the detailed information on this page.
Hani
Yes, I would probably cut Athens to 1 night (the attractions of Athens are close together and it’s reasonable to do a good tour of the sights in one full, busy day), 3 nights in Mykonos, and 3 nights in Santorini. (Or 2 nights in Mykonos, 4 in Santorini). You have to ferry from Mykonos to Santorini (no flights scheduled yet) and Santorini to Athens I would fly. So it’s just Athens to Mykonos that you have decide upon. I would probably ferry – it’s funner, more interesting, and more relaxed than flying.
Great website Dave, really useful information, thank you!
I was wondering if you could assist..
I am planning to go to Santorini in July for a wedding. I am an Australian Citizen but I have a visa to work in the US.
I need to renew my visa in Greece, which means I will have to give the Embassy my passport.
I was wondering, if I am staying in Santorini, is it possible to visit Mykonos for 2-3 days without my Passport? Could I go on the ferry from Santorini to Mykonos with just another form of I.D?
Thank you!!
Christine Viros
Ferries do not check i.d. or passports. Hotels do sometimes ask for your passport but I doubt it would be a problem. Be sure you have a copy of your passport and also take a picture of it.
Hi Dave
Fabulous website – thank you! I am searching Kayak for direct flights from Paris to Mykonos on 4/7/16 but can only see flights via Athens. Is this because direct flights have not yet been released or are all flights going to be via Athens?
Thanks
Mary
If you’re referring to April 7th then there won’t be any direct flights from Paris to Mykonos that early in the season. If you’re referring to July 4th then it’s possible (but unlikely) that more flights will be added soon.
This was SO, SO HELPFUL! Thanks a million for being super detailed and thorough (pics).
Keisha
Hi Dave
We stumbled upon your site and we’re so glad we did! Love how detailed it is. Puts us at ease. Thank you!
We’re a family of 3 (one 12 yr old child) planning a trip to Athens and hopefully 2 of the islands for one week. Can you recommend a favorite place to eat in Athens where we can genuinely experience the local food and people? As far as the islands, we’re considering Mykonos as a choice but have not decided on the other. We don’t mind crowds or walking. Would love to lounge on a beautiful beach.
Any help is appreciated!
Manny
For eating in Athens, this area near Monistiraki is the best combination of convenience and quality (plus very fun). Naxos and Paros are both great islands if you’re after wonderful beaches.
Hi Dave,
We are planning a holiday to Greece by the end of March this year for 4 days. Planning to spend a day in Athens then take a ferry to Mykonos the next day and will stay there for a day or two days and then Santorini. Can we take a ferry from Mykonos to Santorini in March? If not would it be worth it to take a ferry to Santorini from Athens as we would be travelling a baby as well. And how many days should we stay on these two islands (we can actually do one in case we are visiting both as we are going only for 4 days). What would be the weather in Greece in March will it be warm or cold and would it be ok to travel with a one year old?
Thanks in advance & and lots of appreciations for an excellent article.
Qoora
Four days is not much to do Athens, Mykonos, and Santorini. I would choose one island (and I would recommend Santorini as Mykonos is very quiet in March). In any case, ferries between Mykonos and Santorini do not begin until March 25 so if you’re traveling before that you wouldn’t be able to get between the two without going via Athens (and you definitely don’t have time for that).
Hi Dave,
My boyfriend are I are planning a trip to Europe in September. We are spending 8 days in Greece and we want to see Athens, Santorini, Mykonos, and maybe Crete if time allows for it. What would be the best way to do this? i have spent hours researching ferries but have no luck as it’s far in advance.
Any advice will help.
Thanks!
Christina
That is too much for only 8 days so I would cut Crete. Spend one full day in Athens then take a morning ferry to Mykonos. Spend 2 or 3 days there then ferry to Santorini. From Santorini fly directly back to a city in Western Europe (this will save you the time and expense of going via Athens). Use kayak.com to search for flights – possible destinations include Rome, Milan, Barcelona, Paris, and London. For the ferry tickets there is no need to buy far in advance for September. Buy all of them the first chance you get after arriving in Athens.
Hi Dave,
Your site is a wealth of information! I am planning on visiting Mykonos from Athens via Blue Star Ferry. If I buy a 4-berth cabin does the person I am travelling with have to buy into the cabin as well or can I just buy a special economy ticket for them and they just stay in the cabin with me? Are there rules about having people who did not buy a cabin ticket in the cabin?
They could get into the cabin but if you don’t reserve/buy each berth individually they would likely be occupied by someone else (if you didn’t reserve the whole cabin). And, in any case, if you don’t buy all 4 berths then the ones you do buy need to be the same sex. You can’t have people of different sex sharing a 4 berth cabin with travelers not part of your group.
How accurate are these ferries? We are planning to spend 4 days in Athens and 4 days in Mykonos, and we’ll need to be at airport at 18.30, and I see there is ferry from Mykonos to Rafina arriving 17.30 … Is it enough window, or better not to risk?
Roman
That is much too close. Ferries can be an hour late – even when everything goes pretty smoothly. 2 or 3 hours late or the ferry is canceled completely are not unusual events.
Great Info and well laid out website.
I am flying into Mykonos on 13 August and will take the ferry to Tinos for a week. I wanted to leave on a Sunday morning by ferry to Athens for a 4 PM flight But it seems there are no Sunday Morning ferries which is a pain as I didn’t want to have to leave on the saturday and spend the night in Athens. The Flights from Mykonos to Athens are very expensive X 4 people. Have all the ferry times been published now for next August? Is it risky to try to take the ferry on the same day as the flight?
For that route it does look like most/all ferry routes have been announced. In any case, there is a real risk of a delayed/cancelled ferry so I would travel on the previous day even if there was a morning ferry.
Hi Dave,
Great article, Very helpful!!!
Any advice for first week of December going to Athens for 5 days?
First and second day in Athens then to Mykonos for 2 day or so, come back to Athens next day go home :-(.
What do you recommend us, plane or ferry to Mykonos?
Regards,
Pat
Plane is faster and easier, ferry is more interesting, you feel like you’re in Greece. Could do plane one-way, ferry the other way.