Greece › Ferries › Athens to Naxos
Updated: January 7, 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 to Naxos – Ferry Essentials
- FerryHopper.com is the best way to buy ferry tickets for Athens to Naxos ferries. Also good for researching ferry timetables, costs, and schedules.
- Most ferries do not sell out. But for peace of mind, book tickets 2 to 3 months in advance.
- All tickets booked through FerryHopper are e-tickets which means you do not have to pick up a paper ticket before boarding.
- Ferries will leave on-time from their first departure port in the morning (usually large ports like Piraeus, Heraklio, and Rhodes) but will be late arriving and departing from all onward ports (e.g. Naxos). Usually getting later as the day progresses.
- Most areas in Greece, including Athens and Naxos, have public transportation strikes throughout the year. These strikes can affect all forms of transit, including, buses, trains, ferries, flights, and taxis. During strikes no buses, no ferries, and only a handful of trains and flights will depart on time (or at all); taxis tend to be the least affected mode of transport. Though strikes can occur any time, there is always a huge strike on May 1. Avoid booking any ferries, flights, or trains that day.
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 recommend Ferryhopper.com. It connects to all the ferry databases, allows you to compare fast vs. slow boats easily, and handles the E-Ticket process seamlessly for you.
- 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: You simply 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.
- Best seats: Business or VIP are worth the extra cost (nicer seats in a more relaxed setting).
Athens to Naxos Ferry Schedule
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.
Naxos is a large, centrally-located island that is a hub of ferry travel in the Cyclades. There are daily ferries from Athens to Naxos year-round, with frequency increasing in the summer months.
The length of the ride varies depending on what boat you choose.
- Highspeed catamaran ferries: Reach Naxos from Athens in 3 to 4 hours. (Note: These require all passengers to stay inside.)
- Larger, Blue Star ferries: Take 5 to 6 hours.
If you can spare the extra hour or two, I recommend taking the Blue Star; its large size makes it more stable on rough windy days, and you’ll be able to walk around on the outside decks to take in the sea view and air.
Ferry tickets from Athens to Naxos cost €45 to €55 for conventional ferries (Blue Star) and €75 to €90 for high-speed ferries, depending on the class of ticket.
Piraeus is the closest port to the Athens city center and is easily reached via Metro.
- Tip: You can now tap your credit card or phone (Apple Pay/Google Pay) directly at the Metro turnstiles – no ticket machine needed!
If you will be spending any time in Athens before sailing to Naxos, this is the port you should choose. Piraeus is also the largest and busiest port in Greece. (See our Guide to Piraeus Ferry Port.)
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.
Example Piraeus to Naxos Ferry Schedule
Athens-Naxos ferry schedule and prices on ferryhopper.com
• Check prices for Piraeus-Naxos ferries.
VIP and Business Class seating has more room and a more relaxed vibe than standard seating.
Athens to Naxos Ferries from Rafina Port
Rafina is the best port choice if you are landing at Athens Airport and heading straight to Naxos. It is significantly closer to the airport than Piraeus, saving you time and the stress of city traffic.
- Proximity to Airport: Rafina is only a 20 to 30-minute drive from the airport arrivals hall (compared to 60+ minutes to Piraeus).
- Taxi from Airport: A taxi costs about €40 (day) to €55 (night) and takes just 20 minutes. It is the easiest way to transfer.
- Bus from Airport: The direct orange KTEL bus departs from the Arrivals level (between Exits 2 and 3) roughly every hour. It costs roughly €4 and takes 30 to 40 minutes.
- The Ferries: Fast Ferries, Golden Star Ferries, and SeaJets operate daily routes from here. The ride to Naxos generally takes 3.5 to 5.5 hours, depending on whether you choose a high-speed or conventional vessel.
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