Ferries in Greece | LooknWalk Greece

Ferries are the main way to explore the Greek islands. Unless you’re flying between major islands, you’ll almost certainly end up on a ferry at some point. If you’ve got time and want to save money, ferries are brilliant.

If your schedule’s tight and you’re only island-hopping for a day or two, flights might make more sense, but honestly, taking the ferry is half the experience.

How Reliable are the Ferries in Greece?

In high season (June-September), pretty reliable. Ferries run frequently and mostly stick to schedules, though delays of 30-60 minutes aren’t unusual, especially for ferries making multiple island stops throughout the day.

Off-season (spring and autumn), reliability drops. Greek weather can be challenging, and storms do cancel or delay ferries. This is legitimate – rough seas are dangerous for smaller vessels.

Here’s the thing though: ferry company matters. Blue Star Ferries are larger, more stable vessels that can handle rougher conditions. They might get delayed but rarely cancelled. SeaJets operate smaller, faster boats that get cancelled more often in bad weather because they literally can’t handle bigger waves safely.

>>more information on Flights within Greece

Ferry Companies: What’s the Difference?

Blue Star Ferries are the biggest company in Greece. Their ferries are large conventional ships – think mini cruise ships with outdoor decks, multiple lounges, restaurants, and Wi-Fi (though it barely works). They’re slower but more stable, cheaper, and less likely to be cancelled in rough weather. Great if you’re prone to seasickness or just want to enjoy the journey.

SeaJets operate smaller, faster catamarans. You’ll save 1-2 hours on longer routes, but tickets cost more, seating is airplane-style (often assigned), and there’s limited outdoor access. The small catamarans (Superjet, SeaJet 2) get the most criticism for rough rides and cancellations. The bigger ones (Champion Jet, Worldchampion Jet) are more comfortable but still enclosed.

Hellenic Seaways falls somewhere between – they operate both conventional ferries and high-speed vessels depending on the route.

My take? If time doesn’t matter and you want to enjoy the scenery, go Blue Star. If you’re in a hurry and the sea looks calm, SeaJets is fine. Check the weather (Greeks use Poseidon.gr to check “beaufort” ratings—8 or 9 means Blue Star might cancel, 6 or 7 means SeaJets likely will).

How Fast (or Slow) Are the Ferries?

It depends entirely on which ferry you book. Blue Star conventional ferries are slow: Athens to Santorini takes about 8 hours, Athens to Naxos is 5-6 hours. But you get outdoor space, lounges, and a more comfortable ride.

High-speed ferries (SeaJets, some Hellenic Seaways) cut travel time significantly: Athens to Santorini drops to about 5 hours, Athens to Naxos is around 3.5 hours. Short hops like Paros to Naxos or Mykonos to Santorini might only take 30-45 minutes on a fast ferry versus 1.5-2 hours on conventional ones.

Always check actual schedules on booking sites: don’t just assume “fast ferry” means fast. And remember that even a 3-hour ferry ride eats up half your day once you factor in getting to the port, boarding, and getting to your accommodation afterward.

>>read more about traveling by high-speed ferry in Greece

Names: where is this place?

Greek place names are confusing as hell. “Chora” (or “Hora”) literally means capital, so every island has one. Asking for “Chora” gets you nowhere.

Some islands have multiple ports: Santorini has two main ones (Athinios for ferries, Old Port for cruise ships and small boats), Mykonos has the New Port and Old Port. Make absolutely sure you know which port your ferry arrives at and where your accommodation actually is.

The English name often doesn’t match the Greek name used on tickets. Booking platforms handle this now, but if you’re asking locals or reading Greek schedules, having names in Greek helps.

Honestly, modern booking sites (including our affiliate) solve most of these problems: they show you exactly which port, display schedules clearly, and handle the name confusion. Just double-check your confirmation email matches where you actually want to go.

Schedules, booking and more

You can now book the ferry ticket right here. You search your route, compare ferry companies and times, book, and get e-tickets sent to your phone. No need to print anything – just show the QR code when boarding.

Book early for summer. Peak season (July-August) routes sell out, especially popular ones like Athens-Santorini or Mykonos-Santorini. Book 60+ days ahead if traveling in high season. Shoulder season and off-season you can often book a few days before, sometimes even same-day.

Check in online 48 hours to 2 hours before departure. You’ll get your actual boarding pass with QR code then. Arrive at the port 30-45 minutes before departure – ferries don’t wait.

Track your ferry. Use myshiptracking.com or similar apps to see where your ferry actually is. They make multiple stops throughout the day and delays are common, so checking avoids showing up “on time” only to wait an extra hour.

Piraeus (Athens) is the main hub with connections to virtually every island. Other major ports include Rafina (closer to Athens airport, serves Cyclades), Thessaloniki (northern islands), and Patras (Ionian islands, Italy ferries).

Practical Tips for Your Ferry Ride in Greece

Bring snacks and water. Ferry cafeterias exist but are overpriced and mediocre. Pack food, especially for longer journeys.
Dress in layers. Air conditioning on ferries is intense. Bring a hoodie or light jacket even in summer.

Motion sickness prep. If you’re prone to seasickness, take medication beforehand, sit where you can see windows, and consider Blue Star over SeaJets. Avoid reading or looking at your phone too much.

Luggage is your responsibility. You leave bags in designated areas when boarding then retrieve them when getting off. Keep valuables with you.

Strikes happen. Greek public transport strikes affect ferries occasionally. Check news before travel days, especially if you have a flight to catch afterward. Always leave buffer time between your last ferry and your flight home.

Weather apps. Greeks use Poseidon.gr to check conditions. Look at “beaufort” ratings—anything above 6-7 means potential cancellations for smaller ferries.