Travelling from Mykonos to peaceful Schinoussa
The ferry from Mykonos to Schinoussa is one of the loveliest ways to reach the Small Cyclades, combining a busy jet set island with an unspoilt, tranquil retreat. There is normally no direct ferry from Mykonos to Schinoussa, so you travel in two stages, changing boats on the island of Naxos. You begin at the New Port of Mykonos in Tourlos, about two kilometres from Mykonos Town, which you can reach by local bus, taxi, sea bus or on foot if you are staying nearby. All large ferries to and from Mykonos now use this modern harbour, so the port area is used to handling luggage and summer crowds. Services run to Naxos with both conventional and high speed ferries, so you can choose between a slower, cheaper crossing or a faster but more expensive one.
From Naxos you continue by local ferry to Schinoussa. Ferries for the Small Cyclades usually depart from the main port of Naxos, and one of the most famous boats on this line is the Express Skopelitis, which links Naxos with Iraklia, Schinoussa, Koufonissi, Donoussa and Amorgos. After a short sail you arrive at the small port of Schinoussa, called Mersini, a sheltered bay used by fishing boats, yachts and the regular island ferries. There is no formal bus network on Schinoussa and taxis are very limited, but the village of Chora is little more than a fifteen to twenty minute walk uphill from the harbour. Many accommodation owners meet guests at the quay and offer transfers, so it is worth arranging this in advance. The island itself is tiny, with only a few settlements and many beaches within walking distance, which makes Schinoussa ideal for slow holidays without a car.
Ferry schedules, travel time and seasons for the Mykonos to Schinoussa route
Although you search for a ferry from Mykonos to Schinoussa in one step, in practice you will usually book two linked tickets, one from Mykonos to Naxos and one from Naxos to Schinoussa. The Mykonos to Naxos leg runs seasonally, usually from March to November, with more sailings between late May and early October. In summer there can be up to seven departures a day, mainly in the morning and early afternoon. Depending on the vessel, the crossing from Mykonos to Naxos can take from about thirty five minutes on the fastest high speed catamarans to around one hour and twenty five minutes on a conventional ferry. From Naxos to Schinoussa, ferries usually take between about one hour and ten minutes and one hour and fifty minutes, with around one sailing per day in high season and several departures spread through the week for the rest of the year.
When you link the two legs together, the actual sailing time on the water between Mykonos and Schinoussa is usually between about two and a half and three hours, but you should allow extra time in Naxos for the change of boat. Many travellers arriving by air to Mykonos or Santorini aim for a morning ferry that reaches Naxos before early afternoon, then continue on the Express Skopelitis around fourteen hundred or fourteen thirty, arriving in Schinoussa in the middle of the afternoon on most days except Sunday. In summer this connection is normally possible in one day, while in early spring or late autumn you may sometimes need to spend a night in Naxos and continue to Schinoussa the next day, because there are fewer departures. The route is served by a mix of companies, including Blue Star Ferries, Small Cyclades Lines and occasionally high speed operators, and some ferries can also take vehicles, although many visitors choose to travel as foot passengers only.
Is there a direct ferry from Mykonos to Schinoussa?
There is usually no direct ferry from Mykonos to Schinoussa. You normally sail first from Mykonos to Naxos and then change to a local ferry from Naxos to Schinoussa. Travel planners and booking sites confirm that services operate via Naxos and that a direct boat is not part of the regular timetable.
How long does the ferry from Mykonos to Schinoussa take?
If you choose a fast connection, the combined sailing time for the ferry from Mykonos to Schinoussa can be around two and a half to three hours, with the first part between Mykonos and Naxos taking from about thirty five minutes to just over one hour, and the second part between Naxos and Schinoussa taking about one to two hours. When you include the waiting time in Naxos for your connection, most travellers should plan for a total journey of roughly three to five hours door to door, depending on the exact pair of sailings they choose.
Can I travel by ferry from Mykonos to Schinoussa in one day or do I need to stay overnight in Naxos?
In the main season it is normally possible to complete the ferry trip from Mykonos to Schinoussa in one day, because there are several morning ferries from Mykonos to Naxos and an afternoon departure from Naxos to Schinoussa on most days. The local Express Skopelitis and other small ferries usually leave Naxos in the early to mid afternoon and arrive in Schinoussa later in the afternoon, which gives you time to make the connection if your first ferry is not delayed. Outside the busy summer months timetables are thinner, so you may sometimes find that an overnight stop in Naxos is the most comfortable and reliable option.
Which ports do I use on the ferry from Mykonos to Schinoussa and how do I get to them?
For the ferry from Mykonos to Schinoussa you depart from the New Port of Mykonos at Tourlos, which lies just north of Mykonos Town. You can reach this harbour by public bus, taxi, hotel transfer or on foot from nearby accommodation, and it is the departure point for ferries to Naxos and the rest of the Cyclades. On Schinoussa the ferry arrives at the small port of Mersini on the south western side of the island. There is no organised bus service on Schinoussa, so most visitors either walk up to Chora in about fifteen to twenty minutes or arrange a pick up with their hotel or guest house.
When is the best season to take the ferry from Mykonos to Schinoussa and how often does it run?
The best period to take the ferry from Mykonos to Schinoussa is usually from late May to late September, when there are many daily ferries between Mykonos and Naxos and a regular small island service between Naxos and Schinoussa. In this time there can be up to seven ferries a day on the Mykonos to Naxos leg and a daily or almost daily connection from Naxos to Schinoussa, so it is easy to find a same day route. In the shoulder months of April, early May and October there are fewer departures, but ferries still run several times a week, while in winter the route is more limited and you may need to be flexible with dates and plan around the three or so weekly Blue Star Ferries from Piraeus to Schinoussa and the Small Cyclades local boat.