Greece › Ferries › Athens to Naxos
Updated: February 14, 2026 • By Santorini Dave
See Also
- Where to Stay in Athens
- Best Hotels in Athens
- Piraeus (Athens) Ferry Port Guide
- Where to Stay in Naxos
- Best Hotels in Naxos
The port of Piraeus is 30-minutes by taxi or train from downtown Athens. Ferries to Naxos depart from gates E6, E7, and E8. You can purchase tickets in Piraeus but I prefer to buy ferry tickets in advance.
Athens-Naxos Ferries – My Tips
- FerryHopper.com is the single best way to buy ferry tickets. It is easy to use, handles complex island-hopping itineraries better than any other site, and works perfectly for international credit cards.
- Do tickets sell out? Economy tickets on large conventional ferries (like Blue Star) rarely sell out. However, tickets for High-Speed Ferries (SeaJets), VIP/Business Class seats, and vehicle spots absolutely do sell out in July and August. For peace of mind, I recommend booking 2 to 3 months in advance.
- E-Tickets are now the standard. The days of picking up paper tickets at a kiosk are over. After you book on FerryHopper, you will receive a confirmation email. About 48 hours before departure, you check in online to get your mobile boarding pass (QR code). You simply scan this from your phone as you walk onto the boat.
- Expect delays later in the day. Ferries almost always leave their first port of the morning (e.g., Piraeus at 07:00) exactly on time. However, delays accumulate throughout the day due to wind and loading times. If you are catching a ferry in the afternoon or evening, do not be surprised if it is 30 to 60 minutes late.
- Strikes happen. Public transportation strikes can occur year-round in Greece and affect ferries, buses, and trains. While random strikes are hard to predict, there is always a massive General Strike on May 1st (Labor Day). Ferries will not run on this day. Do not book travel for May 1st.
How do I buy tickets and use E-Tickets?
The process is now fully digital and simple. The days of waiting in lines at dusty port kiosks are over.
- Where to buy: I use Ferryhopper.com. It connects to all the ferry databases, allows you to compare fast vs. slow boats easily, and handles E-Tickets seamlessly.
- The E-Ticket Process: After you book, you will receive a confirmation email. For most companies (like Blue Star and SeaJets), you complete a quick Online Check-in (usually available 48 hours before departure) to generate your actual Boarding Pass.
- Boarding: Download the Boarding Pass (which is a QR Code) to your phone. When you walk up to the ferry ramp, a crew member scans your phone screen. That is it. You do not need to print anything.
How much does the ferry ticket cost?
Ferry prices vary significantly depending on the type of boat (high-speed vs. conventional) and the class of seat you choose. Prices are fixed by the government and do not fluctuate like airline tickets, though they can sell out in high season (June to September).
- High-Speed Ferries (e.g., Seajets): These are the fastest option (approx. 3 to 4 hours) but the most expensive. Expect to pay roughly €85 to €95 for a standard Economy seat. Business/VIP seats usually range from €105 to €140.
- Conventional Ferries (e.g., Blue Star): These are larger, slower (approx. 5 to 6 hours), and more stable in rough seas. Standard Economy tickets cost about €50 to €60. Business Class seats (highly recommended for the extra space and quiet) are usually around €70 to €80.
- Discounts: Children under 5 usually travel for free, and children aged 5-10 typically get a 50% discount. There are rarely discounts for booking early; the price is the price.
Example Athens to Naxos Schedule
Athens-Naxos ferry schedule and prices on Ferryhopper.com.
Departure Ports in Athens: Piraeus vs. Rafina
Ferries to Naxos depart from two primary ports. Choosing the right one depends entirely on where you are starting your day.
- Piraeus Port (Best for City Center Stays): This is the main port of Athens, located about 10km southwest of the city center. Choose this if you are staying in downtown Athens (Plaka, Syntagma, or Monastiraki). It is easily reached via Metro Line 1 or Line 3 directly from the city center. Most ferries to Naxos depart from here.
- Rafina Port (Best for Airport Arrivals): This is a smaller port located on the east coast of Attica. Choose this if you are landing at Athens Airport and heading straight to the ferry. It is only a 20 to 30-minute taxi ride from the airport (compared to 60+ minutes to Piraeus). Rafina-Naxos ferries take about 4 hours. Book Rafina ferries through Ferryhopper.com.
Ticket Classes Explained
VIP and Business Class seating has more room and a more relaxed vibe than standard seating.
- Economy (Blue Star / Conventional Ferries): Also known as ‘Deck’ or ‘Lounge’ tickets. This gives you access to the open decks and indoor cafes/lounges, but it does not provide a specific seat. You sit wherever you find an empty chair or sofa. If you get up to buy food or use the restroom, you risk losing your spot. In July and August, these ferries are packed and I strongly recommend arriving early to claim a seat.
- Economy (SeaJets / High-Speed Ferries): Usually called ‘Silver’. Unlike conventional ferries, every ticket on a high-speed ferry corresponds to a specific, numbered airplane-style seat. You are guaranteed a seat, but you are generally confined to the indoors. (Note: The WorldChampion Jet is the only high-speed vessel on this route with a small outdoor deck that is accessible during the trip).
- Air Seat / Airplane Type: Available on conventional ferries (Blue Star). This buys you a reserved, numbered, reclining seat in a quiet, dedicated indoor lounge. This is the best value option. For only a few euros more than Economy, you have a guaranteed comfortable spot and can wander the ship without worrying about losing your seat.
- Business / VIP: Known as ‘Class A’ on Blue Star or ‘Platinum’ on SeaJets. These are located in a separate, exclusive lounge (usually on an upper deck) with wider leather seats, tables, and waiter service for drinks and snacks. It is much quieter and less chaotic than the general seating areas.
Entering the Athens metro is as easy as scanning your phone. Then the Piraeus ferry port is just 20 to 30 minutes away from downtown stations.
How To Get To Piraeus Port
From Athens City Center (Syntagma/Monastiraki)
- The Metro (Best Way): Take the Green Line (Line 1) or Blue Line (Line 3) from Monastiraki or the Blue Line (Line 3) from Syntagma directly to Piraeus.
- Cost & Payment: Tickets cost €1.20. You can now tap your credit card or phone (Apple Pay/Google Pay) directly at the turnstile – no need to buy a physical ticket from a machine.
- Taxi/Uber: Takes 25-40 minutes depending on traffic. Cost is €25–€30 (metered). Uber is a little more expensive but also more convenient.
From Athens Airport
- The Metro (Blue Line): Take the Blue Line (Line 3) straight from the Airport to Piraeus. It takes an hour and costs €9. No transfers needed.
- The Bus (X96): Runs 24/7. Takes 60-90 minutes. Costs €5.50. Best for late-night arrivals.
- Taxi/Uber: Taxi: Expect to pay €55 to €65 (Day) and €70 to €80 (Night). There is no official ‘flat rate’ for Piraeus like there is for the city center, so confirm the price before getting in. Takes 45-60 minutes. Uber uses Exit 4 of Arrivals as its pickup point.
What is the luggage allowance?
It is very relaxed. There are no weight limits and no extra fees. You carry your bags onto the ship and leave them in the luggage racks on the car deck. Keep your valuables and small bag with you at your seat.
Are there food and drink options?
Yes.
- High-Speed: Small cafe/bar for coffee, sandwiches, and snacks.
- Blue Star: Full self-service restaurant (Goody’s Burger House), multiple cafes, and bars. You can also bring your own food.
What happens if my ferry is delayed or canceled?
- Delays: Common, especially later in the day. Use the MarineTraffic app to track your boat.
- Cancellations (Wind): In July/August, the Meltemi winds can cancel high-speed ferries. Conventional ferries (Blue Star) almost never cancel. If canceled, you get a full refund or rebooked on the next boat.
How do I get from the Naxos ferry port to my hotel?
My wife and I arriving at the Naxos ferry port.
The ferry port is located on the edge of Naxos Town (Chora). A long causeway connects the ferry dock to the main town. When you disembark, you will join a stream of people walking down this causeway. At the end, you reach the main waterfront road where the bus station and taxi stand are located.
- Walking: If you are staying in Naxos Town (Chora) or at St. George Beach (Agios Georgios), you can often walk to your hotel. The walk to St. George Beach is mainly flat and takes 10 to 15 minutes. Conversely, the streets in the Old Town (Kastro) are steep, narrow, and cobblestoned – dragging rolling luggage here is difficult.
- Bus: The KTEL bus station is conveniently located right at the end of the ferry pier. It is the hub for the island’s bus network. Frequent buses run to the popular west coast beaches: Agios Prokopios, Agia Anna, and Plaka. You must buy your ticket at the kiosk before boarding. The cost is roughly €1.80 to €2.50 depending on the destination.
- Taxi: The taxi stand is located next to the bus station. In high season (July/August), the queue for a taxi can be very long (30 to 45 minutes) immediately after a ferry arrival. There are a limited number of taxis on the island.
- Private Transfer: To avoid the taxi queue and the chaos of the port arrival, I recommend pre-booking a transfer. Welcome Pickups operates on Naxos and is the most reliable service. The driver waits for you at the end of the pier with a sign.
- Hotel Shuttle: Many hotels (especially those at Plaka or further out) offer complimentary arrival transfers. Always email your hotel a few days in advance to ask if they provide this service.
The SeaJets Worldchampion Jet is the fastest ferry from Athens to Naxos.
Walking off the Athens ferry in Naxos Town. Taxis are usually steps from the arriving ferries (off to the right). Buses are straight ahead.
The Blue Star ferry from Athens to Naxos at the Piraeus Port.
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.
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