Ferries on the Andros to Karystos route connect the Cycladic island of Andros with the port of Karystos at the southern tip of Evia, offering a short sea crossing of about 49 kilometres and roughly 1 hour 10 minutes sailing time when services operate. This route is usually marketed as a direct link operated by Saos Ferries, but availability can vary by season and year, and in some recent timetables there are periods when no direct crossings are scheduled, so it is important to check live dates and times before you travel.
The ferry normally departs from Gavrio, the main port of Andros on the west coast of the island, and arrives at the port of Karystos on the south coast of Evia, a town that is well connected by road to the rest of the island and to the mainland via the bridges near Chalkida. When Saos Ferries operates this sea line, there are reports of around 2 departures per day in high season, with one morning departure and one evening departure, though actual days and sailings are subject to change depending on demand and operational decisions. The crossing is relatively short compared with many Greek island routes, and prices are usually positioned as budget friendly, sometimes advertised from around €6 to €7 for a foot passenger, with higher prices for cars and other vehicles on similar Andros connections. Because this is not a year round core line like Rafina to Andros, travellers often need to combine Andros with Karystos using alternative routes via Rafina or Marmari when there is no direct ship, which makes advance research and flexible planning important.
Key Information
Ferry duration
The sailing distance between Andros and Karystos is about 26 nautical miles, which is approximately 49 kilometres across the South Aegean Sea. When Saos Ferries or similar conventional ferries operate this crossing, the advertised journey time is around 1 hour 10 minutes, making it a relatively quick hop compared with many longer inter island routes in Greece.
Ferry companies
The Andros to Karystos route is associated mainly with Saos Ferries, a Greek operator that also serves several other island lines around the Aegean. Saos Ferries is known for running a mix of conventional ferries and faster vessels on different routes, with basic economy seating, some higher class options and standard onboard facilities such as lounges, cafés and outdoor viewing decks.
Fast vs slow ferry
On this specific Andros to Karystos connection, the service is typically provided by a conventional ferry rather than a dedicated high speed catamaran, and it still completes the crossing in just over 1 hour under normal conditions. That means there is not a big choice between very fast and very slow ships on this exact line, so if you need more speed or more frequent departures you may have to route via Rafina or Marmari where more operators and vessel types are available.
Best time to travel
Most information sources suggest that sailings between Karystos and Andros run in the summer months, typically between June and September when demand from tourists is highest. For pleasant weather and calmer seas, late May to early July and September are usually good choices, because temperatures are warm, the Meltemi wind is often a little less extreme than in high August, and ports and ships are slightly less crowded.
Sea conditions and wind
The channel between Andros and the south of Evia is part of the open Aegean, and it can be affected by the strong north and north east Meltemi winds, especially in July and August when wind force can be high. On windy days the sea can become choppy, which may lead to delays or, in rare cases, cancellations, so it is wise to keep an eye on weather forecasts, arrive early at the port and follow any instructions from the ferry company if conditions deteriorate.
Port guide
On Andros, ferries for Karystos and other destinations depart from Gavrio port, which is about a 30 to 40 minute drive from the main inland town of Chora and is connected by local buses and taxis. Gavrio has basic traveller services such as ticket offices, small cafés, accommodation options nearby and car hire desks, and you should arrive at least 45 to 60 minutes before departure, especially if you are taking a vehicle on board. In Karystos, the ferry arrives at the main harbour on the south coast of Evia, within easy walking distance of the town centre, seafront promenade, hotels and restaurants. From Karystos there are bus and road connections to other parts of Evia, and drivers can reach the bridges near Chalkida and then continue to Athens or other mainland destinations, making it a useful gateway for combining island and mainland travel.
Car rental advice
On many Andros routes, ferries allow vehicles on board, and some listings for the Karystos connection mention both car and foot passenger options, but always confirm vehicle availability for your exact date before booking. If your ferry on the Andros to Karystos route does not carry cars or if the route is not operating, you can still rent a car separately on each side, for example hiring in Andros for your stay there and then hiring another vehicle in Karystos or elsewhere in Evia after you arrive via an alternative route. If you plan to travel with a car, make sure your rental contract allows ferry transport and check insurance details, because some Greek rental companies restrict taking vehicles on ferries between islands. Booking in advance in high season is recommended, especially for larger vehicles or if you need automatic transmission, as these can sell out quickly on both Andros and in the Karystos area.
Foot passenger tips
The Andros to Karystos crossing is relatively short, so foot passengers can travel comfortably with light luggage and enjoy the sea views from the open deck. Aim to reach Gavrio port at least 45 minutes before departure, carry only what you can easily move up and down gangways, and keep essentials like tickets, water, sun protection and a light jacket in a small day bag, because the Aegean breeze can feel cool even on sunny days. Because this is a more niche route, foot passengers should also be flexible and ready to adjust plans; if a sailing is cancelled or rescheduled, it may be necessary to route via Rafina or Marmari instead of waiting many days for another direct ship.
Is this route worth it?
When it is operating, the direct Andros to Karystos ferry route can be very worthwhile because it links two attractive regions, the Cycladic island of Andros and the less touristy south of Evia, with a short sea crossing that avoids backtracking via Rafina or Piraeus. It is especially appealing for travellers who want to combine Cyclades island life with quieter beaches, hiking and local food in Karystos and southern Evia, or for those who plan a road trip that continues from Karystos towards the rest of Evia and the mainland. However, its value depends heavily on whether there are active sailings during your travel dates; in some recent schedules the route appears as inactive or seasonal, so checking live timetables on booking platforms before building your itinerary around this specific crossing is essential.
Alternative route if cancelled
If the direct Andros to Karystos ferry is not available, the most common alternative is to travel from Andros to Rafina on the mainland and then continue by road to the port of Rafina or to the south of Evia via the bridges near Chalkida, and then on to Karystos by car or bus. Another option is to sail between Rafina and Marmari, the port on the opposite side of Evia from Karystos, and then drive or take local transport across southern Evia to reach Karystos, which can be practical if you already plan to use a car. Because these alternatives involve extra travel time, it is sensible to allow a full day for the journey, build in a buffer for delays, and keep your accommodation bookings flexible if possible.
Reverse route internal links
The reverse route from Karystos to Andros follows the same basic sea corridor, with departures from Karystos port on Evia and arrivals at Gavrio port on Andros when services are running. For your website, you can create an internal link from this Andros to Karystos page to a dedicated Karystos to Andros page and highlight that timetables, duration and operators are essentially the same but with departure and arrival ports swapped, which will help users and search engines navigate between both directions of the route.
How long does the Andros to Karystos ferry route take and is it a comfortable crossing?
The Andros to Karystos ferry route usually covers about 26 nautical miles in roughly 1 hour 10 minutes of sailing time, which makes it one of the shorter inter island crossings in this part of Greece. Most travellers find it comfortable because ships on this line are conventional ferries with indoor lounges, outdoor decks and basic services, and although the sea can be choppy on windy days, the relatively short duration means that even those who are not used to boats generally cope well with the trip.
Does the Andros to Karystos ferry route operate all year or only in summer?
The Andros to Karystos ferry route appears mainly as a seasonal service, with listings that focus on summer months, and some recent data shows periods when there are no active sailings at all. Because of this, travellers should treat it as a bonus connection rather than a guaranteed year round route, and always confirm exact dates and times on booking platforms or the ferry company website before finalising accommodation and other transport.
Can I take my car on the Andros to Karystos ferry route?
Some ticketing sites and operator descriptions indicate that Saos Ferries and similar ships on the Karystos to Andros corridor can carry vehicles as well as foot passengers, which suggests that car transport may be possible when the route is in full operation. However, because not every sailing or vessel offers the same configuration and because recent schedules show gaps in service, you should always check vehicle availability during the booking process and consider using alternative routes via Rafina and Marmari if you absolutely need to move a car between Andros and Karystos.
What is the best way to reach Karystos from Andros if the direct ferry route is not available?
If the direct Andros to Karystos ferry route is not operating on your travel dates, a practical solution is to take a ferry from Gavrio port on Andros to Rafina and then continue by road to southern Evia and Karystos, either in a rental car or by combining buses and taxis. Another popular workaround is to travel from Rafina to Marmari by ferry and then drive across the southern part of Evia to Karystos, which keeps you within the island of Evia for most of the journey and can be enjoyable if you like scenic drives and small towns.
Is the Andros to Karystos ferry route suitable for a day trip?
Because the Andros to Karystos ferry route is relatively short, in theory it could suit a day trip, but current schedule information from some platforms indicates that there are not always enough sailings in both directions on the same day to make an easy there and back excursion. If you want to visit Karystos from Andros or the other way round, it is usually safer to plan at least one overnight stay, which gives you more flexibility in case of timetable changes, weather disruptions or cancellations on this less frequent route.