Mykonos to Iraklia ferry route overview
The Mykonos to Iraklia ferry route is a lovely island hopping journey that links the busy party island of Mykonos with the quiet Small Cyclades island of Iraklia. You will normally depart from the New Port of Mykonos at Tourlos, a short taxi or bus ride from Mykonos Town. Buses run frequently from the main bus stations in town to the port and there are plenty of taxis, although in peak summer it is wise to allow extra time because traffic can be heavy and queues are common. The first part of the trip takes you from Mykonos to Naxos on a larger ferry or high speed vessel. From Naxos you then change onto a smaller ferry that continues to Iraklia, whose little harbour is in the village of Agios Georgios on the north east side of the island. The port is tiny and simple, with a short pier, a few accommodation places and tavernas, and almost everything on the island is within walking distance. Many visitors wheel their luggage straight from the boat to their room and only a few pre arrange a transfer with their hotel.
Mykonos to Iraklia ferry schedules and travel seasons
There is currently no regular direct ferry from Mykonos to Iraklia, so almost all travellers book a through ticket that connects in Naxos using platforms such as Ferryhopper. Ferries between Mykonos and Naxos usually run from March to November, with up to six or more departures a day in high summer. The sailing time on this leg is usually between about thirty five minutes and one hour and twenty five minutes, depending on whether you choose a high speed catamaran or a slower conventional ferry. From Naxos to Iraklia, small ferries and local services run all year, with more frequent sailings between roughly late spring and early autumn. Crossing times on this section are normally between about twenty five minutes and just over one hour, depending on the exact vessel and any intermediate stops in the Small Cyclades. In practice this means the total sea travel time from Mykonos to Iraklia is usually between around two and three hours, but you must also allow extra time for the change of boat in Naxos. In high season it is often possible to leave Mykonos in the late morning and arrive in Iraklia by mid or late afternoon, while in the shoulder months there may only be a few workable combinations per week, so careful planning is important.
Can I travel the Mykonos to Iraklia ferry route without changing boats?
There is currently no regular direct service on the Mykonos to Iraklia ferry route. Most travellers book a single ticket that combines a Mykonos to Naxos ferry and a second Naxos to Iraklia ferry on the same day. The connection is easy to plan on Ferryhopper, which shows only combinations that are scheduled to work, but it is still wise to leave some time in Naxos in case the first ferry is delayed.
How long does the Mykonos to Iraklia ferry route usually take door to door?
On the Mykonos to Iraklia ferry route the sea crossings themselves usually add up to about two to three hours, because the Mykonos to Naxos sailing is roughly thirty five to eighty five minutes and Naxos to Iraklia is about twenty five to sixty five minutes. When you include embarkation, disembarkation and the connection time in Naxos, most travellers find the full journey from Mykonos port to Iraklia harbour takes around three to five hours. In summer there are more services, so you can normally choose a faster connection, while in spring and autumn you may have to accept a longer wait between boats.
How many operators serve the Mykonos to Iraklia ferry route?
Several companies are involved in the Mykonos to Iraklia ferry route as it is sold as one trip but uses two legs. Between Mykonos and Naxos the route is usually served by Seajets, Golden Star Ferries and Fast Ferries, with a mixture of high speed catamarans and larger conventional ships. The onward section from Naxos to Iraklia is usually run by Blue Star Ferries and the local company often known as Small Cyclades Lines or Mikres Kyklades, which serve Iraklia from Naxos and other nearby islands. All of these operators show their schedules on Ferryhopper, so you can compare travel time and price on a single search.
When is the best season to book the Mykonos to Iraklia ferry route?
The Mykonos to Iraklia ferry route works best from late May to early October, when there are frequent ferries from Mykonos to Naxos and regular onward boats to Iraklia, giving you more choice of departure times and better same day connections. In July and August there are many more ferries, but tickets can sell out several days in advance and the port at Mykonos can feel very crowded, so it is sensible to book early and arrive at the port at least one hour before departure. Outside the main season there are still year round ferries to Iraklia from Piraeus and some inter island links, but there may be very few workable combinations from Mykonos, so you should check the latest timetables well before you fix your accommodation.
How reliable is the Mykonos to Iraklia ferry route for flight connections?
Travellers often ask if they can use the Mykonos to Iraklia ferry route, or the reverse route, on the same day as their flights. While Greek ferries are generally reliable, they can be delayed by strong winds or by busy multi stop routes, especially in summer. Because the trip to Iraklia involves a change of boat in Naxos, most experienced visitors suggest avoiding tight connections. A safer plan is to spend the night before your flight on Mykonos itself or on an island with a direct ferry to Athens, rather than trying to travel from Iraklia to the airport on the same day as your flight.