Ferries from Piraeus: the complete island routes guide for 2026

Piraeus: gateway to the Greek islands

Piraeus is the busiest passenger port in Europe, handling tens of millions of ferry passengers annually. From its quays, ferries depart to virtually every inhabited island in the Aegean and Ionian seas. If you are planning a Greek islands trip from Athens, Piraeus is where your journey begins.

The port is large, divided into clearly numbered gates, and generally well-organised. Navigating it requires a basic understanding of the layout and some advance planning — particularly in summer, when berths fill and popular routes sell out weeks ahead.

Getting to Piraeus port from Athens

Metro Line 1 (green line) from Monastiraki to Piraeus station takes 25 minutes and costs €1.40. From Piraeus station, walk 10–20 minutes depending on your departure gate. A taxi from central Athens costs a flat €20 (daytime rate) and can drop you at your specific gate. Full details are in the Athens to Piraeus port guide.

Port layout: which gate for which destination

Piraeus port gates are numbered E1 through E12. For ferry passengers:

• Gates E6, E7, E8, E9: Cyclades (Santorini, Mykonos, Paros, Naxos, Syros), Crete, and Dodecanese (Rhodes, Kos). These are the main inter-island departure points, located about 15–20 minutes on foot from the Metro station.
• Gate E1 / adjacent area: Saronic islands (Aegina, Poros, Hydra) and some cruise/day-trip vessels.
• Gate E11 / E12: Some additional ferry operators and overflow; varies by season.

Your specific gate is printed on your ferry ticket or reservation. Check this the evening before departure — gate assignments for the same route can vary by day and operator.

Signage within the port is adequate but not perfect. Allow extra time if you are navigating with luggage and haven’t been before. A taxi dropped directly at the gate is a stress-free option for passengers with heavy bags.

Major ferry routes from Piraeus in 2026

Saronic islands — the closest option

The Saronic islands are the quickest island escape from Athens and a popular choice for day trips or short breaks.

• Aegina: 35–40 min by high-speed Flying Dolphin or conventional ferry (1 hr 15 min). Ferries run approximately every 1–2 hours in peak season. Operators: Aegean Flying Dolphins, Hellenic Seaways.
• Poros: 1 hr by fast ferry, 2.5 hrs conventional. Several daily departures.
• Hydra: 1 hr 30 min–2 hrs by fast ferry. Hydra has no cars — dock-to-village is a walk through a beautiful harbour.
• Spetses: About 2 hrs 30 min by fast ferry.

Saronic island ferries often stop at multiple islands on the same route. Buy a point-to-point ticket for your specific destination.

Cyclades — Santorini, Mykonos, Paros, Naxos

The Cyclades are the most popular destination group for tourists, and summer bookings fill up fast.

• Santorini: 5 hrs (high-speed catamaran) to 9 hrs (conventional ferry overnight). Operators include Seajets (fast) and Blue Star Ferries (conventional, with cabins). Multiple daily departures in summer.
• Mykonos: 3.5–5 hrs (fast ferry) or 7–9 hrs (conventional). Very popular route — book at least 2–3 weeks ahead for July/August.
• Paros: 3 hrs (fast ferry) or 5–6 hrs (conventional). Well-connected hub for onward island hopping.
• Naxos: 3.5 hrs (fast ferry) or 5–6 hrs (conventional).
• Syros: 2.5 hrs fast ferry.
• Milos: 3.5 hrs fast ferry.
• Folegandros, Sikinos, Ios: served by Blue Star routes, typically 4–6 hrs.

Crete — overnight and daytime options

• Heraklion: 8–9 hrs overnight by ANEK Lines or Minoan Lines — book a cabin for comfort. Departure around 21:00, arrival approximately 06:00. Also some daytime fast ferry options in peak season (6 hrs).
• Chania (Souda): 9 hrs overnight by ANEK Lines. Same format.
• Rethymno: Served via LANE Ferries, approximately 11 hrs.

Overnight ferries to Crete are an excellent option: you travel while sleeping, arrive fresh, and save a night’s hotel cost. Book a cabin (not just a deck seat) for a reasonable night’s sleep.

Dodecanese — Rhodes, Kos, Patmos

• Rhodes: 14–18 hrs depending on the service. Blue Star Ferries connects Athens to Rhodes with stops at several Dodecanese islands. Overnight with a cabin is the standard approach.
• Kos: 12–14 hrs.
• Patmos: ~9 hrs.

For the Dodecanese, flying to Rhodes or Kos and using inter-island ferries locally is often more practical than the long Piraeus route.

Ferry companies operating from Piraeus

Company	Main routes	Speed
Blue Star Ferries	Cyclades, Dodecanese, Crete	Conventional (overnight)
Seajets	Cyclades, Crete (fast)	High-speed
Hellenic Seaways	Saronic, Cyclades	Mixed
ANEK Lines	Crete (Heraklion, Chania)	Conventional (overnight)
Minoan Lines	Crete (Heraklion)	Conventional (overnight)
Aegean Flying Dolphins	Saronic islands	High-speed
Golden Star Ferries	Cyclades	Mixed

Booking tickets

Online booking is essential in peak season (July–August) and strongly advisable from May through September. Book via:

• Ferryscanner — multi-operator comparison site
• Ferryhopper — user-friendly with clear route maps
• Greekferries.gr — Greek-language but comprehensive
• Individual operator websites (Blue Star, Seajets, ANEK)

At the port: Tickets are available at ticket booths clustered near each departure gate area. Arrive at least 45–60 minutes before departure if buying on the day. In summer, popular routes (Santorini, Mykonos fast ferries) regularly sell out, particularly on weekends.

Ticket classes:

• Deck class: Open seating, usually the cheapest. Fine for short journeys (Saronic islands) or in good weather; can be uncomfortable on overnight routes.
• Aircraft-style seats: Reserved seating inside the ferry. Good for medium journeys.
• Cabins: 2- or 4-berth sleeping cabins for overnight routes to Crete and Dodecanese. Well worth the premium.

Practical tips for using Piraeus ferry terminals

Arrive early: 45–60 minutes before departure is the minimum. For popular summer routes, 90 minutes gives you time to locate the correct gate without stress.

Validate the gate: Gate assignments are printed on your ticket, but confirm on the day — some operators occasionally change berthing. A board near the main port entrance displays current departures and gates.

Luggage: There is no luggage storage at the ferry terminals themselves. If you need storage, use lockers at Piraeus Metro station or in central Athens before heading to the port.

Food on board: All larger ferries have cafés and restaurants on board. Quality ranges from acceptable to good; prices are higher than on land. Bringing snacks and drinks for shorter journeys makes sense.

Car ferries: If bringing a car, arrive 2+ hours early for vehicle boarding. Cars drive directly onto the lower decks; motorcycles are loaded separately.

Day trips to the Saronic islands

For visitors based in Athens, the Saronic islands (Aegina, Hydra) offer some of the most accessible island day trips in Greece. The Greek islands from Athens guide covers the best options, journey times, and what to do once you arrive.

Frequently asked questions about ferries from Piraeus

Do I need to book ferry tickets in advance?

For Saronic island routes in low season, same-day tickets are usually available. For Cyclades and Crete routes in July and August — especially fast ferries to Santorini and Mykonos — book at least 2–3 weeks in advance. Weekend departures fill faster than weekday sailings.

Where exactly do ferries to Santorini leave from at Piraeus?

Blue Star Ferries to Santorini typically depart from Gate E7 or E8. Seajets fast ferries use Gate E9. Check your specific ticket; gate assignments can shift. The gates are approximately 15–20 minutes on foot from Piraeus Metro station.

What is the difference between a fast ferry and a conventional ferry?

Fast ferries (catamarans, high-speed vessels) cut journey times roughly in half but are more susceptible to cancellation in rough seas and cost more. Conventional ferries are larger, more stable, slower, and usually cheaper — and they have overnight cabin options for long routes. For Santorini: fast ferry is 5 hrs; conventional Blue Star is 8–9 hrs but overnight with a cabin.

Are ferries cancelled often due to weather?

In July and August, cancellations are rare — the Aegean is generally calm. Spring and autumn bring more weather variability; winter crossings on smaller fast ferries can be subject to delays or cancellations due to wind (the Meltemi wind in summer can also cause disruptions to fast ferry routes). Check your ferry company’s website the morning of departure.

Can I buy a multi-island ferry pass for Greece?

A universal Eurail-style ferry pass does not exist for Greece. Some operators (e.g., Hellenic Seaways) offer route-specific multi-trip discounts. For island hopping, buying individual point-to-point tickets is the standard approach — use Ferryhopper or Ferryscanner to compare options across your planned route.

Is there a night ferry to Santorini from Piraeus?

Blue Star Ferries operates a conventional service that departs Piraeus in the evening (approximately 17:30–19:00) and arrives in Santorini (Thira port) around 00:30–02:00 — technically overnight but not particularly restful given the timing. The Heraklion overnight route is better suited for sleeping; Santorini is more practical by fast ferry departing in the morning.