One of the best parts of getting to Greece’s many islands is undoubtedly the trip. Daily, dozens of ferries depart from the main ports of Attica – Piraeus, Rafina and Lavrio – to the most popular Greek island destinations. The Cyclades, in the Southern Aegean, are among the most visited. Favorites? Mykonos, Santorini and Paros, to mention a few.
Every summer, holidaymakers flock from across the globe with one or more of these tiny Greek islands on their travel agenda. One of the best parts of getting to Greece’s many islands is undoubtedly the trip. Daily, dozens of ferries depart from the main ports of Attica – Piraeus, Rafina and Lavrio – to the most popular Greek island destinations.
The Cyclades, in the Southern Aegean, are among the most visited. Favorites? Mykonos, Santorini and Paros, to mention a few.
Northern Cyclades
Kea (Tzia), Kythnos, Syros (the capital of the Cyclades), Andros, Tinos, Mykonos, Delos and Renia.
Central Cyclades
Serifos, Sifnos, Antiparos, Paros, Naxos, Donoussa, Irakleia (Heraklia), Schinoussa, Koufonissia and Amorgos.
Southern Cyclades
Milos, Kimolos, Folegandros, Sikinos, Ios, Santorini and Anafi.
Traveling by Ferry to the Cyclades Islands?
The ferry trip to the Cyclades is for most travelers part of the fun and in many cases the only option. Very few of the isles have airports and there are no flight connections to link these islands with one another. What’s more, ferries are much cheaper than flights.
Greek ferry services today are upgraded and quick. Holidaymakers can chose to travel with high speed hydrofoils or the more conventional and larger ferries, which transport vehicles as well.
Popular islands like Mykonos and Santorini, which cater to thousands of international visitors all-year-round, do have international airports and tourists can catch direct flights from a number of European capitals.
The majority of holidaymakers visiting Greece, fly to Athens and then catch a ferry to the islands. Most of the isles, at least during the summer, are very well connected to Attica by ferry.
Athens and its Ports
Piraeus Port: The country’s largest port and shipping hub is just 12km from the Greek capital, on the eastern coast of the Saronic Gulf, and easily reached by public transport (Metro, train and bus).
Rafina Port: A much smaller port on the eastern coast of Attica, closer to Athens Airport and very convenient when traveling by ferry to the Northern Cyclades: Andros, Tinos and Mykonos. It is accessible by bus both from central Athens (Pedion tou Areos Park) and from Athens International Airport.
Lavrio Port: A busy little port in the summer on the southeastern coast of Attica, from where ferries to the islands of Kea (Tzia) and Kythnos depart, also offering a wide variety of sailing rental options. It can be reached by bus both from Athens and Athens International Airport.
Ferries to major islands depart daily from Athens early in the morning, between 7:00 and 8:00 and in the evenings, from mid-May to mid-September. Smaller islands are served with routes on most days of the week. Far-away destinations are usually run at night.
The port of Rafina is a better option for holidaymakers wishing to visit the the Northern Cyclades (Andros, Tinos and Mykonos) with much shorter travel times.
To read more, please head to
Greek Travel Pages for more information about how to book, ferry schedules and routes.
