Almost every trip to the Cyclades starts in Athens. From the capital you can reach any of the islands by ferry from one of 3 ports, Piraeus, Rafina or Lavrio, or fly to one of the 6 island airports in under an hour. The right choice depends on which island you are heading for, where you land and how much time you have. This guide sets out every option for travelling from Athens to the Cyclades, with journey times, the best port for each island and how to get from Athens Airport to the ferry.
Athens to the Cyclades at a glance
Take a ferry from Piraeus, Rafina or Lavrio, or fly from Athens Airport to Santorini, Mykonos, Paros, Naxos, Milos or Syros in 35 to 50 minutes.
- Piraeus: the main port, with ferries to almost every Cyclades island all year
- Rafina: close to Athens Airport and best for Andros, Tinos and Mykonos
- Lavrio: the port for Kea and Kythnos, the closest Cyclades to Athens
- Flights: Athens Airport to 6 island airports with Aegean, Olympic Air and Sky Express
- Ferry times: from about 50 minutes to Andros up to 11 hours 30 minutes to Santorini on the slowest boats
How to Get From Athens to the Cyclades
There are 4 ways to leave Athens for the islands. Most visitors take a ferry, because every inhabited Cyclades island has a port while only 6 have an airport. Flying makes sense for Santorini, Milos and the other islands that are a long way by sea.
Ferry from Piraeus
- Biggest choice of sailings
- Runs all year
- Metro from the airport or city
- Best for most trips
Ferry from Rafina
- Close to the airport
- Andros, Tinos, Mykonos
- Seasonal boats further south
- Best straight off a flight
Ferry from Lavrio
- Short crossings
- South of the airport
- Slow ferries to other islands
- Best for the nearest islands
Flight
- 6 island airports
- Tight baggage limits
- Seats sell out in summer
- Best for Santorini and Milos
Athens Ferry Ports: Piraeus, Rafina and Lavrio
People often search for the Athens port as if there were only one, but ferries to the Cyclades leave from 3 different ports around the city. Check which port your ticket is for before you set off, as they are a long way apart.
| Port | Where it is | From Athens Airport | Cyclades islands served |
|---|---|---|---|
| Piraeus | South west of central Athens, on the coast | Metro Line 3, about 1 hour, or the X96 bus, about 90 minutes | Almost every island, including Santorini, Mykonos, Paros, Naxos, Milos, Sifnos, Serifos, Syros, Ios, Folegandros, Amorgos and Koufonisia |
| Rafina | East of Athens, close to the airport | KTEL bus for 4 euros, about half an hour | Andros, Tinos, Mykonos, Paros and Naxos, plus seasonal boats to Ios, Santorini, Koufonisia and Milos |
| Lavrio | South east Attica, near Cape Sounion | KTEL bus with a change at Markopoulo, or a taxi of about 35 minutes | Kea and Kythnos, plus slow ferries to Syros, Serifos, Sifnos, Milos, Kimolos and other islands |
Ferry From Athens to the Cyclades Islands
The table shows the best Athens port for each island, the fastest crossing on a high speed ferry and the typical time on a slower conventional ferry. High speed boats are quicker but more expensive and can be bumpy in strong wind. The big conventional ferries, such as Blue Star, take longer but are far more stable.
| Island | Best Athens port | Fastest ferry | Conventional ferry | Flight from Athens |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santorini | Piraeus | About 5 hours | 6 to 11 hours 30 minutes | About 45 minutes |
| Mykonos | Rafina or Piraeus | 1 hour 50 minutes from Rafina | 4 to 5 hours 50 minutes | About 40 minutes |
| Paros | Piraeus or Rafina | 2 hours 45 minutes | 4 to 5 hours | About 40 to 45 minutes |
| Naxos | Piraeus or Rafina | 3 hours 20 minutes | About 5 hours 30 minutes | About 45 to 50 minutes |
| Milos | Piraeus | 2 hours 35 minutes | Longer, with island stops | About 40 minutes |
| Sifnos | Piraeus | About 2 hours 30 minutes | 4 hours 30 minutes to 5 hours | No airport |
| Serifos | Piraeus | About 2 hours | About 4 hours 20 minutes | No airport |
| Syros | Piraeus | About 2 hours | 3 to 4 hours | About 35 minutes |
| Andros | Rafina | About 50 minutes | Up to 2 hours | No airport |
| Tinos | Rafina | About 2 hours | 3 hours 30 minutes to 4 hours, or 4 hours 30 minutes from Piraeus | No airport |
| Kythnos | Lavrio | 1 hour 15 minutes | 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes | No airport |
| Ios | Piraeus | About 4 hours | 5 hours 20 minutes to 9 hours 45 minutes | No airport |
| Folegandros | Piraeus | 3 hours 45 minutes | Around 7 hours | No airport |
| Amorgos | Piraeus | 5 hours 30 minutes | Around 9 hours 30 minutes | No airport |
| Koufonisia | Piraeus | About 4 hours | Around 9 hours 30 minutes | No airport |
Times vary with the boat and the number of island stops on the way, so always check the exact sailing when you book. Our Cyclades ferry guide has every route in detail.
Athens to Santorini
Santorini is the furthest of the popular islands from Athens. High speed ferries from Piraeus take about 5 hours, and conventional ferries between 6 and 11 hours 30 minutes, arriving at Athinios port below Fira. Because the ferry is so long, many visitors fly instead. The flight takes about 45 minutes and lands at Santorini Airport, 5 km from Fira. See our Athens to Santorini ferry guide.
Athens to Mykonos
Mykonos is one of the easiest islands to reach by sea. The quickest option is a high speed ferry from Rafina, which can take as little as 1 hour 50 minutes, while Piraeus ferries take from about 2 hours 40 minutes on a fast boat to nearly 6 hours on a conventional one. Flights take about 40 minutes. See our Athens to Mykonos ferry guide.
Athens to Paros and Naxos
Paros and Naxos sit next to each other in the middle of the Cyclades, and most ferries stop at both. From Piraeus, Paros takes from 2 hours 45 minutes and Naxos from 3 hours 20 minutes on a high speed ferry, or about 4 to 5 hours 30 minutes on a conventional one. Rafina has daily summer sailings to both. Read our guides to the Athens to Paros ferry and the Athens to Naxos ferry.
Athens to Milos
Milos is in the western Cyclades, and ferries from Piraeus usually call at Kythnos, Serifos or Sifnos on the way. The fastest boats take about 2 hours 35 minutes to Adamas. The 40 minute flight to Milos Airport is a good option when the sea is rough. See our Milos and Piraeus ferry guide.
Should You Fly or Take the Ferry From Athens?
| Ferry | Flight | |
|---|---|---|
| Islands you can reach | Every inhabited Cyclades island | Santorini, Mykonos, Paros, Naxos, Milos and Syros only |
| Journey time | 50 minutes to 11 hours 30 minutes | 35 to 50 minutes, plus check in |
| Luggage | Generous, with no check in on most ferries | Tight limits on the small island planes |
| Weather | High speed boats can be cancelled in strong wind | Flights can also be delayed by wind, but less often |
| Best for | Islands close to Athens, island hopping and travellers with lots of luggage | Santorini, Milos and anyone short of time |
Athens Airport to the Ferry Ports
If you are going straight from your flight to a ferry, the port you choose makes a big difference. Rafina is the closest to the airport, while Piraeus is on the far side of the city.
| Route | Public transport | Journey time | Fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Athens Airport to Piraeus | Metro Line 3 (blue line), direct to Piraeus | About 1 hour | 9 euros, or 16 euros return |
| Athens Airport to Piraeus | X96 express bus, runs 24 hours | About 90 minutes | 5.50 euros |
| Athens Airport to Rafina | KTEL Attikis bus, roughly hourly | About half an hour | 4 euros, paid to the driver |
| Athens Airport to Lavrio | KTEL bus to Markopoulo, then a connecting bus | Allow 1 hour 30 minutes or more | Check with KTEL |
Metro works in 2026: rail replacement works affect the blue and red metro lines on some evenings from about 21:40, with replacement buses running instead. If you land late, the X96 bus or a taxi may be quicker.
Central Athens to Piraeus
From the centre of Athens, the easiest way to Piraeus is the metro. Line 1 (the green line) runs from Monastiraki and Omonia, and Line 3 (the blue line) from Syntagma and Monastiraki, both ending at Piraeus station opposite the port. Ferries to the Cyclades usually leave from gates E6 to E10, so check your gate and allow time to walk or take the free shuttle bus that runs along the port.
Cyclades Islands Closest to Athens
If you only have a few days, these are the Cyclades islands nearest to Athens, all within about 2 hours by ferry.
Not sure which island suits you? Our island finder and Greek island hopping guide will help you plan a route.
Tips for Taking the Ferry From Athens
- Book early in summer. Popular sailings to Santorini, Mykonos and Paros sell out in July and August, especially the high speed boats.
- Check the port on your ticket. Piraeus, Rafina and Lavrio are an hour or more apart, so a mix up can mean a missed boat.
- Arrive at least 1 hour early at Piraeus. The port is huge, and the gate for your ferry can be a long walk from the metro.
- Pick a big ferry if you get seasick. The summer meltemi wind makes high speed catamarans bumpy, while large conventional ferries barely move.
- Leave a spare day before your flight home. Strong winds can cancel sailings, so do not plan to catch an international flight on the same day as your ferry back.
Frequently Asked Questions About Travelling From Athens to the Cyclades
How do you get from Athens to the Cyclades?
You can take a ferry from one of the 3 Athens ports, Piraeus, Rafina or Lavrio, or fly from Athens Airport to Santorini, Mykonos, Paros, Naxos, Milos or Syros. Ferries reach every inhabited island, while flights only go to those 6.
Which port in Athens do ferries to the Cyclades leave from?
Most ferries leave from Piraeus, the main port of Athens. Rafina, near the airport, is best for Andros, Tinos and Mykonos, and Lavrio is the port for Kea and Kythnos.
Which Athens port is closest to the airport?
Rafina is the closest. The KTEL bus from Athens Airport takes about half an hour and costs 4 euros. Piraeus takes about 1 hour by metro.
How do I get from Athens Airport to Piraeus port?
Take Metro Line 3 (the blue line) direct from the airport to Piraeus for 9 euros, which takes about 1 hour. The X96 bus runs 24 hours a day, costs 5.50 euros and takes about 90 minutes.
How long is the ferry from Athens to Santorini?
High speed ferries from Piraeus take about 5 hours, and conventional ferries take between 6 and 11 hours 30 minutes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
How long is the ferry from Athens to Mykonos?
From Rafina the fastest ferry takes about 1 hour 50 minutes. From Piraeus it takes from about 2 hours 40 minutes on a fast boat to nearly 6 hours on a conventional ferry.
How long is the ferry from Athens to Paros?
High speed ferries from Piraeus take from about 2 hours 45 minutes, and conventional ferries around 4 to 5 hours.
How long is the ferry from Athens to Naxos?
High speed ferries from Piraeus take from about 3 hours 20 minutes, and conventional ferries around 5 hours 30 minutes.
How long is the ferry from Athens to Milos?
The fastest ferries from Piraeus take about 2 hours 35 minutes. Slower ferries take longer because they stop at other western Cyclades islands on the way.
Is it better to fly or take the ferry from Athens to the islands?
The ferry is usually cheaper, easier with luggage and reaches every island. Flying saves a lot of time for Santorini and Milos, but seats are limited and baggage rules on small planes are strict.
Which Cyclades island is closest to Athens?
Kea is the closest, around 1 hour by ferry from Lavrio. Andros, Kythnos, Syros, Tinos and Serifos can all be reached in about 2 hours or less on a fast ferry.
Do ferries from Athens to the Cyclades run all year?
Yes. Ferries from Piraeus run to the main islands all year, although there are far fewer sailings in winter. Some routes from Rafina and Lavrio only run in the summer season.
How early should I arrive for a ferry at Piraeus?
Allow at least 1 hour. Piraeus is a very large port, and the gates for Cyclades ferries, usually E6 to E10, can be a long walk from the metro.
Can I get a ferry from Athens to the Cyclades on the day I land?
Often, yes, if your flight lands in the morning. Rafina is the quickest port to reach from the airport. In summer, book the ferry in advance and leave plenty of time in case your flight is late.
Final Thoughts
Getting from Athens to the Cyclades is simple once you know which port serves your island. For most trips, a ferry from Piraeus is the answer. If you are heading to Andros, Tinos or Mykonos straight from the airport, Rafina saves time, and for Kea or Kythnos, Lavrio is the only real choice. For Santorini and Milos, the short flight is worth considering. Whichever way you travel, book ahead in summer and give yourself a spare day at the end of the trip. When you know where you are going, take a look at our guide to Cyclades airports and the Cyclades islands to plan the rest of your holiday.
