Athens to Sifnos Ferry Guide

Greece › Athens › Athens to Sifnos Ferry
Updated: July 24, 2026 • By Santorini Dave
Questions? dave@santorinidave.com

See Also

• Where to Stay in Athens
• Best Hotels in Athens
• Best Family Hotels in Athens
• Piraeus Ferry Port Guide
• Best Hotels in Sifnos

Most travelers should take the ferry from Piraeus to Sifnos. The fastest ferries reach Kamares in about 2½ hours, while conventional ferries take roughly 4¾ to 5 hours and cost less.

Take the fast ferry when saving two hours makes a real difference. Choose a larger conventional ferry for outdoor decks, a steadier ride, and better value.

Helpful Links

• How I buy ferry tickets: Ferryhopper.com
• Pre-booked Athens transfer: Welcome Pickups

Athens to Sifnos Ferry: Quick Guide

• Best departure port: Piraeus for almost all travelers.
• Travel time: About 2½ to 3 hours on a fast ferry and roughly 4¾ to 5 hours on a conventional ferry.
• Best for speed: A high-speed ferry.
• Best for comfort and value: A large conventional ferry.
• Arrival port: Kamares, on the west coast of Sifnos.
• When to book: Book early for July and August, especially for a specific fast ferry or vehicle space.
• When to arrive: Reach the correct Piraeus gate 45 to 60 minutes before departure.

Piraeus to Sifnos Ferries

Piraeus is the main Athens port for Sifnos and the best choice for travelers staying in central Athens.

Summer has several departures on many days. Winter service is less frequent, and sailing times vary by weekday and season.

• Fast ferries: About 2½ to 3 hours.
• Conventional ferries: Roughly 4¾ to 5 hours.
• Fares: Standard passenger tickets start around €50, with fast ferries and premium seats costing more.

Most ferries stop at Serifos before reaching Sifnos. Check the full route because journey times vary by vessel and intermediate stops.

Should You Leave from Piraeus or Lavrio?

Choose Piraeus unless a Lavrio departure works much better for your plans. Piraeus is closer to central Athens, easier by metro, and has the widest choice of sailings.

Lavrio has seasonal service on selected days and is more useful for travelers staying near Athens Airport or southeast Attica. The crossing takes about 3 hours, but reaching Lavrio from central Athens takes at least an hour by car and costs much more than traveling to Piraeus.

Do not assume Lavrio has a daily ferry. Check your exact date before arranging transportation.

Which Ferry Should You Take?

High-Speed Ferry: Best for Saving Time

The fastest ferries reach Sifnos in about 2½ hours. Choose one when the earlier arrival saves a useful part of the day.

The drawbacks are higher fares, enclosed seating, and a rougher ride on smaller vessels during strong winds.

Conventional Ferry: Best for Comfort and Value

Conventional ferries take close to 5 hours but have outdoor decks, more room to move around, lower fares, and a steadier ride.

They are the better choice for families, travelers with vehicles, and anyone prone to seasickness.

Check the exact vessel when booking. Large high-speed ferries ride much better than the smallest catamarans.

Tickets and When to Book

I use Ferryhopper to compare departure times, journey lengths, vessels, stops, and prices.

• July and August: Book as soon as your dates are fixed, especially for a fast ferry or vehicle space.
• May, June, September, and October: Several weeks ahead is normally enough.
• Winter: Seats rarely sell out, but the reduced schedule makes advance planning important.

Standard seating is enough on the fast ferry. On a conventional ferry, a numbered indoor seat is worth considering for the longer trip. Business or VIP seating is quieter but not necessary.

Mobile boarding passes are available on the main ferries serving Sifnos. Follow the check-in instructions in your confirmation email and save a screenshot before leaving your hotel.

Example Piraeus to Sifnos Ferry Schedule

Getting to Piraeus Ferry Port

Piraeus is enormous. Check the ferry company and departure gate before leaving Athens, and do not tell a taxi driver only that you are going to “Piraeus Port.”

By Metro

The metro is the cheapest and most predictable way to reach Piraeus from central Athens.

Allow roughly 45 to 60 minutes once walking, waiting, and reaching the correct gate are included. Some gates are close to the metro station; others require a longer walk or the port shuttle.

By Taxi

A taxi is easiest with children or heavy luggage. Early-morning journeys from central Athens can be quick, but weekday traffic adds substantial time.

Give the driver the ferry company, vessel, and gate number.

From Athens Airport

Do not book a ferry shortly after landing. Allow time for immigration, baggage collection, delays, transportation to Piraeus, and finding the correct gate.

I would allow at least 4 hours between the scheduled flight arrival and ferry departure, and more after an international flight or with checked luggage.

When to Arrive

Reach the correct gate 45 to 60 minutes before departure as a foot passenger. Arrive earlier with a vehicle or when collecting a paper ticket.

Arriving at Kamares Port

Ferries arrive in Kamares, a small waterfront village with restaurants, cafés, accommodation, rental offices, buses, taxis, and a sandy beach.

Walking to a Kamares Hotel

Most hotels in central Kamares are within a 5 to 15-minute walk of the ferry. The waterfront is level, but hotels above the village can involve a steep uphill climb.

Check the exact location before deciding to walk with luggage.

Buses and Taxis

Buses leave from near the ferry port and connect Kamares with Apollonia, Artemonas, Platis Gialos, Faros, Vathi, and other villages.

Timetables change by season, and buses become crowded after ferry arrivals. Check the current schedule rather than assuming every ferry has a convenient onward connection.

Sifnos has few taxis. Reserve one through your hotel for a summer arrival, especially when staying outside Kamares or Apollonia.

Getting to Apollonia and Other Villages

Apollonia and Artemonas are about 10 to 15 minutes from Kamares by car. The bus is practical during the day, but a hotel transfer is easier with luggage.

Platis Gialos, Faros, Chrisopigi, Vathi, and Cheronissos are well beyond walking distance. Arrange a bus, taxi, rental car, or hotel transfer, particularly for an evening arrival.

Rental Cars

A car is unnecessary for a short stay in Kamares or Apollonia but useful for remote beaches, evening restaurant trips, and exploring the island at your own pace.

Reserve ahead in July and August. Port pickup is convenient, though parking in Apollonia and popular beach areas can be difficult at busy times.

Luggage, Food, and Seasickness

Large bags are stored in racks near the ferry entrance. Keep passports, medication, electronics, money, and valuables with you.

Ferries have cafés or snack bars. Conventional ferries offer more choice and more space, but bringing water and a snack is sensible.

Small high-speed ferries can be rough in strong winds. Choose a larger jet or conventional ferry if you are prone to seasickness.

On a fast ferry, sit near the middle of the vessel, avoid reading or staring at your phone, and take motion-sickness medication in advance according to the package instructions or your doctor’s advice.

Delays, Wind, and Ferry Strikes

Morning ferries from Piraeus are less likely to have accumulated delays than vessels arriving after earlier stops.

Strong Meltemi winds can produce a rough crossing, delay high-speed ferries, or cause cancellations. Do not arrange a tightly timed hotel transfer, dinner reservation, or onward connection immediately after the scheduled arrival.

Ferry strikes are particularly common around May 1. Avoid planning an essential crossing that day unless the sailing has been confirmed.

Do not book a tightly timed international flight after arriving back in Piraeus.

Ferry Types on the Athens-to-Sifnos Route

Small High-Speed Ferries

Large High-Speed Ferries

Conventional Ferries

Piraeus Departure Gates

Athens to Sifnos Ferry Route