HOW TO GET FROM ATHENS TO MYKONOS BY FERRY?

Are you planning to go to Mykonos? Here is all you need to know to reach the most famous Cyclades island by ferry from Athens!

Traveling through the Cyclades in Greece by ferry is our favorite way to explore this stunning group of Greek islands!

Most of the Cyclades are accessible thanks to a good network of ferries! And some of them like Mykonos, can be accessed directly from Athens, which is super convenient!

Mykonos, with its iconic windmills, vibrant nightlife, and crystal-clear waters, is a top destination for tourists worldwide. You can also explore some of the most beautiful beaches in Greece!

Also read:

• 10+ AWESOME THINGS TO DO IN MYKONOS
• FULL TRAVEL GUIDE TO PAROS IN GREECE
• 25 BEST THINGS TO DO IN SANTORINI
• 10 MOST BEAUTIFUL BEACHES IN MYKONOS

1. Your Starting Point

Athens serves as the primary gateway to the Greek islands, with two main ports: Piraeus and Rafina.

• Piraeus is the largest and busiest port, offering numerous daily ferries to Mykonos. It’s well-connected to Athens city center, including a direct link via the metro (Green Line 1).
• Rafina is closer to Athens International Airport, making it a convenient choice if you’re coming straight from a flight. While it offers fewer options, the Rafina-Mykonos route is popular for its shorter crossing time.

2. Ferry companies connecting Mykonos to Athens

If you are leaving from Piraeus, the port of Athens, know that twenty-nine connections take place every week. Three shipping companies share the crossings. Blue Star Ferries operates the most trips, up to fifteen times a week. Seajets and Golden Star Ferries offer seven each.

The duration of the crossing varies, depending on the company you choose. Seajets is the fastest, with only a 2h40 journey! Blue Star Ferries says almost four hours, and Golden Star Ferries says five hours. These differences in speed can be explained by the type of boat used, as well as the number of intermediate stops planned on the other Cyclades islands.

In Mykonos, the ferry will disembark at Chora port. The colorful and dynamic capital of the island!

3. Plan a ferry trip to Mykonos with Direct Ferries

To book your ferry, we recommend using Direct Ferries. Every day, it analyzes all offers from shipping companies operating in the Mediterranean Sea. This way, you will have all the information you need in the blink of an eye!

On the Direct Ferries home page, start by indicating that you want to go to Mykonos from Piraeus. Then, enter the date and time planned for your departure, and do the same for the return. Finish with passenger information: number, age, etc. Do you want to bring your vehicle? You must then enter its type and brand. All you have to do is click to validate!

Thanks to all this data, you will obtain the list of trips planned for the dates you have chosen. Now it’s up to you to compare these results to find the perfect offer!

4. How to book your ferry trip to Mykonos from Athens?

Thanks to the crossing list provided by Direct Ferries, you have found the route that suits you. The time to book your trip has now arrived! Also remember not to wait until the last minute, as ferry trips are in high demand, especially in summer!

In addition to Mykonos, Athens provides services to other Cyclades islands such as Santorini, Naxos and Paros.

Our Travel Tips

• Arrive Early: Especially in peak season, arriving at the port at least an hour before departure is wise to navigate crowds and find your boarding area.
• Pack Lightly: Space can be limited, and you may need to navigate stairs or crowded decks, so pack as lightly as possible.
• Seasickness: If you’re prone to seasickness, choose larger, conventional ferries that may be more stable, and consider medication or natural remedies.

5. Onboard Experience

• Seating: Options range from airline-style seats to VIP cabins. High-speed ferries generally offer comfortable seating but limited access to outdoor decks.
• Amenities: Most ferries provide snacks and beverages for purchase, and larger vessels may have restaurants and cafes.
• Scenery: Don’t miss the opportunity to soak in the stunning views of the Aegean, particularly when departing or approaching the islands.

Our Experience taking the ferry to the Cyclades

We can’t recommend enough taking the ferry during your trip to the Cyclades. The journey itself offers breathtaking views of the Aegean Sea and the islands, making it an integral part of the Cyclades experience.

We did, however, experience 1 rough crossing from Santorini to Paros, due to bad weather… The ferry was moving quite a lot, which got a few people sick… We don’t intend to scare you here, but just be aware of it in case you feel seasick… Other than that 1 time experience, it always was super smooth!