Lavrio port is the third port of Athens and the gateway to the islands closest to the capital. From this quiet harbour town on the south east tip of Attica, ferries cross to Kea in about 1 hour and to Kythnos in under 2 hours, making Lavrio the natural choice for a short break in the western Cyclades. Slower ferries also link Lavrio with Syros, Milos, Naxos and several smaller islands, as well as with Lemnos and Kavala in the north. Lavrio is much smaller and calmer than Piraeus, and it is only about 30 minutes by road from Athens Airport. This guide explains how to get to Lavrio port, the ferries that sail from it and what to expect when you arrive.
Lavrio port at a glance
Lavrio is the Athens port for Kea and Kythnos, about 30 minutes by road from Athens Airport and around 50 to 60 km from the city centre.
- Main islands: Kea in about 1 hour and Kythnos in 1 hour 15 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes
- From Athens Airport: taxi in about 30 minutes, or a KTEL bus with a change at Markopoulo
- From central Athens: KTEL bus in about 2 hours, or a taxi in about 1 hour 15 minutes
- Other routes: slower ferries to Syros, Milos, Naxos and other Cyclades, plus Lemnos and Kavala
- Nearby: the Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion is a short drive south
Where Is Lavrio Port?
Lavrio, also written Lavrion or Laurium, is a small town on the south east coast of Attica, around 50 to 60 km from central Athens and about 30 km from Athens Airport. The port sits right in the town, with 5 ferry ramps, a covered passenger station and ticket offices. Cafés, bakeries, banks and shops are all a short walk from the quay.
The town has a long history. In ancient times the silver mines of Lavrio made Athens rich, and the silver paid for the fleet that Themistocles built before the Battle of Salamis. Today you can still see traces of the mining past around the town, and the famous Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion is only a short drive to the south, making it an easy stop on the way to or from the ferry.
How to Get to Lavrio Port
Taxi from the airport
- About 30 minutes
- About 70 euros at night
- Door to the ferry
- Best straight off a flight
Bus from the airport
- Change at Markopoulo
- About 1 hour
- Roughly hourly
- Best on a budget
Bus from Athens
- KTEL Attikis
- About 2 hours
- Allow for traffic
- Best from the city centre
Car
- From central Athens
- Private car parks by the port
- About 6 to 7 euros a day
- Best for Kea weekends
Athens Airport to Lavrio Port
There is no direct bus from Athens Airport to Lavrio. The KTEL bus from the Arrivals level goes to Markopoulo, where you change for Lavrio. The whole trip takes about 1 hour and costs about 4 euros. A taxi is far simpler, taking about 30 minutes and costing about 50 euros by day and about 70 euros between midnight and 05:00.
| Route | Option | Journey time | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Athens Airport to Lavrio | Taxi | About 30 minutes | About 50 euros by day, 70 euros at night |
| Athens Airport to Lavrio | KTEL bus, change at Markopoulo | About 1 hour | About 4 euros |
| Central Athens to Lavrio | KTEL bus | About 2 hours | About 5 to 6 euros |
| Central Athens to Lavrio | Taxi | About 1 hour 15 minutes | About 60 to 65 euros by day, 80 euros at night |
| Central Athens to Lavrio | Car | 60 to 90 minutes | Parking about 6 to 7 euros a day |
Central Athens to Lavrio Port
KTEL Attikis buses run to Lavrio from Athens, with a convenient stop at Nomismatokopio on Metro Line 3. Buses run every 30 minutes to 1 hour, and the journey takes about 2 hours, so allow plenty of time for city traffic before an early ferry. If you are driving, the trip takes 60 to 90 minutes, and there are private car parks near the ferry ramps charging about 6 to 7 euros a day.
Ferries From Lavrio
Lavrio is best known for its short crossings to Kea and Kythnos, the two Cyclades islands closest to Athens. It also has slower ferries that call at a string of islands on longer routes, which can be handy for island hopping in the quieter parts of the Cyclades.
| Lavrio to | Journey time | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Kea (Korissia) | About 1 hour | At least 2 sailings a day in summer |
| Kythnos (Merichas) | 1 hour 15 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes | Frequent, all year |
| Syros | Several hours, with island stops | A few times a week |
| Paros | From about 4 hours 25 minutes | Occasional, mainly summer |
| Naxos | Usually about 9 hours 30 minutes | Occasional, multi stop route |
| Milos | 14 hours 50 minutes to 16 hours 30 minutes | Weekly, roughly April to October |
| Lemnos | 10 to 15 hours | A few times a week |
| Kavala | 16 to 21 hours | About 2 a week |
Some longer routes also call at Ios, Folegandros, Sikinos, Kimolos, Serifos, Sifnos and Andros, but these services change a lot from year to year. For most of the Cyclades, Piraeus or Rafina will be quicker.
Lavrio to Kea Ferry
Kea, also called Tzia, is the closest Cyclades island to Athens, and Lavrio is the only port with ferries to it. The crossing to Korissia, the port of Kea, takes about 1 hour, with at least 2 sailings a day in summer. Kea is hugely popular with Athenians at weekends, so boats on Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons fill up fast, especially if you are taking a car. Book ahead for summer weekends.
Lavrio to Kythnos Ferry
Kythnos is a quiet island known for its hot springs at Loutra and the sandbar beach of Kolona. Ferries from Lavrio run all year to Merichas, the main port, and take between 1 hour 15 minutes on the fastest boats and about 2 hours 30 minutes on conventional ferries. It is a much shorter trip than from Piraeus. See our guide on how to get to Kythnos and our page on Merichas.
Lavrio, Rafina or Piraeus?
| Lavrio | Rafina | Piraeus | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Kea and Kythnos | Andros, Tinos, Mykonos | Most other Cyclades |
| From Athens Airport | About 30 minutes by taxi | 20 to 30 minutes by taxi | About 1 hour by metro |
| From central Athens | About 2 hours by bus | About 1 hour by bus | About 20 minutes by metro |
| Size | Small and quiet | Small and busy in summer | Very large |
Facilities at Lavrio Port
| Facility | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Passenger station | A covered waiting area with seating and ticket offices |
| Ferry ramps | 5 ramps along a pier about 250 metres long |
| Food and drink | Cafés, bakeries and restaurants in the town, a short walk away |
| Money and shopping | Banks, kiosks and shops in the town centre |
| Parking | Private car parks near the ramps, about 6 to 7 euros a day |
Things to Do Near Lavrio
If you have time before or after your ferry, the area around Lavrio is worth exploring. The Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion, perched on a cliff above the sea, is one of the most famous sunset spots in Greece and only a short drive south. In Lavrio itself, the old mining buildings and the mineralogical museum tell the story of the ancient silver mines, and the marina is a pleasant place for dinner by the water.
Tips for Catching a Ferry at Lavrio
- Book ahead for Kea at weekends. Friday and Sunday sailings are busy with Athenians, particularly for cars.
- Take a taxi from the airport. The bus needs a change at Markopoulo, while a taxi gets you there in about 30 minutes.
- Allow for Athens traffic. The bus from the city takes around 2 hours, so leave early for a morning ferry.
- Check long routes carefully. Ferries to the further Cyclades stop at many islands and change from season to season.
- Add a stop at Sounion. If you are driving, the Temple of Poseidon makes a great detour on the way to or from the port.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lavrio Port
Where is Lavrio port?
Lavrio port is in the town of Lavrio on the south east coast of Attica, around 50 to 60 km from central Athens and about 30 km from Athens Airport.
Which islands can I reach from Lavrio?
Lavrio is the main port for Kea and Kythnos. Slower ferries also sail to Syros, Paros, Naxos, Milos and other Cyclades on longer routes, as well as to Lemnos and Kavala in northern Greece.
How long is the ferry from Lavrio to Kea?
The ferry from Lavrio to Korissia on Kea takes about 1 hour, with at least 2 sailings a day in summer.
How long is the ferry from Lavrio to Kythnos?
Ferries from Lavrio to Merichas on Kythnos take between 1 hour 15 minutes and about 2 hours 30 minutes, and run all year.
How do I get from Athens Airport to Lavrio port?
A taxi takes about 30 minutes and costs about 50 euros by day. By bus, take the KTEL bus to Markopoulo and change for Lavrio, which takes about 1 hour and costs about 4 euros.
How do I get from central Athens to Lavrio?
KTEL Attikis buses run to Lavrio every 30 minutes to 1 hour, stopping at Nomismatokopio metro station. The journey takes about 2 hours and costs about 5 to 6 euros.
How much is a taxi to Lavrio port?
From Athens Airport a taxi costs about 50 euros by day and 70 euros at night. From central Athens it costs about 60 to 65 euros by day and 80 euros at night.
Is there parking at Lavrio port?
Yes. There are private car parks near the ferry ramps charging about 6 to 7 euros a day.
Is Lavrio the only port for Kea?
Yes. Lavrio is the only mainland port with regular ferries to Kea, which makes the island a favourite weekend escape for people from Athens.
How far is Lavrio from Sounion?
The Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion is a short drive south of Lavrio, so it is easy to visit on the way to or from the ferry.
Should I use Lavrio or Piraeus?
Use Lavrio for Kea and Kythnos, as the crossings are much shorter. For most other Cyclades islands, Piraeus or Rafina have more frequent and faster ferries.
Final Thoughts
Lavrio is the quiet side door to the Cyclades. If you are heading for Kea or Kythnos, it is the only sensible choice, with short crossings and a relaxed little port where finding your ferry takes minutes. Take a taxi from the airport, book ahead for summer weekends and, if you can, catch the sunset at Sounion on the way. For the rest of the Cyclades, see our guides to Piraeus port and Rafina port, or compare all the options in our guide to travelling from Athens to the Cyclades.
