12 Most Important Tips For Using the Greek Island Ferries

The Greek island ferry system is one of the largest and most efficient in the world. Still, there are a few very important things to know before you start planning your route! After exploring almost 30 islands, we’re here to help you navigate the ferries in Greece. Here are some fun tips for the Greek Island ferries, from what to know about the schedule, itinerary ideas, and so much more.

12 Important Tips For the Greek Island Ferries

1. Booking Tickets for the Ferries in Greece

You can buy your tickets directly on your Greece ferries website or in-person from a ticketing office.

Online: This is how we’ve always got the best prices. We started by searching FerriesinGreece and playing around with the dates and times so we could find the cheapest tickets. The nice thing is that they also sort to show you the difference in price between the companies and how long the ferries are. 

In Person: You can also buy your tickets right from the Greek Island ferry companies in port. Just know if you wait until last minute they might be sold out, or more expensive during high season.

 

2. What’s the Best Greek Island Ferry Company?

Even though there are multiple options, the biggest Cyclades ferry companies are Blue Star and Hellenic Seaways. Nevertheless, the answer is simply whatever one is cheapest or fastest depending on your needs!

We love Blue Star and Zante Ferries as they have a massive amount of routes through the Greek Islands. Just keep in mind these are the slow ferry options, so if you’re tight on time you may want to choose a different company like Dodekanisos Seaways.

3. Getting Your Tickets After You Buy Them

So here’s the tricky part! Even though you can buy your tickets online, the email or printout is not always enough to get you on the boat. Some Greek Island ferry companies still require you to go to the offices near the port and check in first.

The most confusing part is that there are multiple Greek islands ferry offices advertising the same company. Fortunately, once you book the ticket online, it will tell you exactly which office to go to.

Otherwise, you may be walking around in circles to all the different offices and miss your boat! Just be sure to check the instructions on your email if you choose to buy tickets online.

4. Price of the Greek Island Ferries

The ferries in Greece can be very cheap depending on the time of year you go! We were shocked that we were able to buy tickets for our Greek Islands ferry route for just €6-12 euros each.

Keep in mind, this was during shoulder season in May, but it was still a smooth and very affordable experience with how we planned everything. In fact, we even got from Santorini to Milos for just 19 euros!

5. Taking a Car on Board 

Almost all the Greek island ferries (except select fast boats) allow cars, trucks, and motorbikes to ride on. This is a popular way of transporting goods between the islands, so you’ll see many large trucks coming on and off the ships.

Check out DiscoverCars to compare rental companies and find the best deals for your trip. Ticket prices vary depending on where you’re going and the type of boat, but it will be worth it to have wheels to explore your next island destination.

→ Do You Need a Naxos Rental Car? (Read This First!)

6. Route Ideas for the Greek Island Ferries 

Welcome to the hardest part of planning your trip! All the islands are so special and different in their own way. The most popular islands in the Cyclades ferry line are Mykonos and Santorini, but don’t limit yourself to those if you have time.

We planned our trip loosely around the cheapest ferries. This means we stayed on each island for 2-4 days each depending on when the next decently priced ferry was out. T

he prices can differ from €6 all the way up to €50 euros, so you can save a lot of money by using the Greek Islands ferry schedule to your advantage. Here are some of our favorite islands in the Cyclades to give you some ideas. Also, don’t miss out on lesser known destinations like Astypalea, Symi, and Kefalonia.

7. Endless Greek Island Ferry Chains

Greece has over 6,000 islands with only 227 of those being inhabited. They are split up into six groups and span the Aegean and Ionian oceans. Overwhelming isn’t it? Well, the good news is you can take ferries to almost all of them!

Most people plan their Greek Islands ferry route by picking one island grouping and sticking to that. However, the easy access to ferries means you don’t have to keep your Greek Islands travel to just one islet chain! 

We just mentioned the stunning Cyclades, but we also love planning our trip around somewhere like Rhodes Greece and the Dodecanese Islands.

8. Difference Between Fast & Slow Greek Island Ferry

In simple terms, it’s cost and time. Like most forms of transportation, there is typically a fast and slow option as well as direct and indirect ways to get places. Personally, we didn’t use the fast ferries as we found the regular ships to be just fine.

All the “slow boats” still seemed to get us everywhere within 1-3 hours, and provide surprisingly comfortable indoor and outdoor seating. We actually felt like we were on a cruise ship sometimes instead of one of the Greek island ferries!

One of our favorite quick ferry routes is from Naxos to Paros. Seeing things at a slower pace isn’t so bad when you have incredible views of the beautiful Greek islands.

9. The Greek Island Ferry Pass

The Greek Islands Ferry Pass is a great option if you plan on hitting multiple islands. Basically, you pay a flat fee and can pick up to 5 islands within the rules of the pass.

With the Greek Island Ferry Pass, you can even go to Italy if you so choose! Even though this may sound like a dream come true, the pass may only make sense monetarily for certain routes and times of the year.

For example, we hit 7 different islands during May in the Cyclades and still spent under the amount that the ferry pass cost. So after you make a rough schedule, sit down and do the math and see if it makes sense for you.

→ More Information on the Eurail Greek Islands Ferry Pass

10. Be on Time For the Greek Island Ferries

This is a funny question with a sort of complicated answer. Some of the boats we boarded were incredibly timely, and would be sailing off to the next island before you could even sit down!

While others would be up to an hour late getting you to your destination. Usually, if they’re late it’s because of the number of large trucks or cars going on and off the ship.

It seemed strange, but sometimes they would sit in the port an extra long time almost seeming like they were waiting for one last truck to board with supplies.

Whatever the case, you have to roll with it. Most of our Greek ferries experience was great, but there were times when we arrived later than scheduled.

11. Flying Between the Islands in Greece 

Almost all the larger islands have airports. However, prices and times can range so widely that you probably won’t be flying much! If you’re planning on hopping around to multiple islands, the boat is the best way to go. For instance, it’s quite easy to get a flight from Athens to Santorini.

We even flew from Venice Italy to Mykonos for just €40. Yet, once you arrive, you’re better off utilizing the ferry system in between islands. Well… unless you have the money for private flights or helicopters! 

12. Getting to Your Hotel From the Greek Ferries

The ports on many of the Greek islands can be far from the main towns and beaches. The bus is typically an option, but many of the hotels also offer a free pickup service.

Make sure you reach out to your hosts prior to arrival because there’s a good chance they’ll pick you up and drop off after your stay.

Have any more questions on the Greek Island ferries or planning your next route? Comment below and let us know!

Safe Travels,
Brigitte & Jake

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