The capital city, Athens, has three main ports, Piraeus, Rafina and Lavrion. You can find more information about the Speedrunner III here. Macedon Built: 1972 Length: 90 metres Speed: 16 knots Passenger capacity: 457 Vehicle capacity: Yes. For 2020, this ferry connects Milos, Santorini and Rethymno in Crete a few times per week. It currently travels from Rhodes to the small island of Symi. Ferries departing from the Athens ports connect the capital with the following island groups: It is possible to travel between some of these island groups by ferry. They run four types of ferries, travelling all around the Aegean. If you look at a map without taking into account distances, it seems like there should be a ferry from Greece to Egypt. Ventouris Ferries operate a few large ferries between Greece, Italy and Albania. For more information and photos of these highspeed ferries, you can check out the SeaJets website. Kalymnos Star and Kalymnos Dolphin are small passenger vessels, for short trips. There is also availability for 60 vehicles. If you decide to buy items through these links, you will be helping Dave to fund this site and perhaps the next adventure. You can check out these small vessels here. Ferry itineraries in Greece vary by season. Its a fairly large (101 metres) ferry with passenger and vehicle capacity. ANE Kalymnou Rhodes to Chalki in the Dodecanese 25. Its a basic little ferry, providing invaluable service for these off-the-beaten-track islands. Daves Travel Pages has a number of affiliate links placed within the travel blog. Hellenic Seaways Athens to several groups of islands in the Aegean Sea 4. The SeaJets company run 15 highspeed vessels and 2 conventional ferries from Athens to the Cyclades and Crete. Tera Jet Monohull Built: 1999, Italy Length: 145 metres Speed: 40 knots Passenger capacity: 2,000 Vehicle capacity: 500, Paros Jet Monohull Built: 1996, Italy Length: 103 metres Speed: 37 knots Passenger capacity: 850 Vehicle capacity: 150, Worldchampion Jet Built: 2000, Australia Length: 87 metres Speed: 50 knots this is 92 kms / 57.5 miles per hour! If you are visiting Greece on vacation, chances are that you will get one of the numerous ferries in Greece. Alco Ferries Rhodes to Chalki in the Dodecanese, 27. You might be able to contact the captain before your arrival, however its not always necessary. These small vessels travel around the Saronic islands and the Sporades. Levante Ferries currently operate four bright yellow ferries among the ports of Patras, Kyllini and the Ionian islands. 1. Water price is regulated by the government, so a small bottle costs 50 cents. However, this may change occasionally and like anywhere in Greece, it doesnt hurt to carry some tissue just in case. Apollon II Length: 28.9 metres Speed: 20 knots Passenger capacity: 223, Ilias T Length: 22.5 metres Speed: 20 knots Passenger capacity: 123. They also connect certain island groups with each other. Golden Star Ferries Athens to the Cyclades, 5. We would prefer to avoid them for longer trips, but they could be ok for shorter trips between the islands. In other cases, islands within the same group may only be directly connected a few times per week. Goutos Lines run a passenger / car ferry from Lavrio port to the nearby island of Kea, or Tzia. Agios Nektarios This small ferry can carry up to 600 passengers and 90 vehicles from Piraeus to Aegina. We would like to take a ferries from Italy to Greece, preferably Ancona to Patras, with our dog in the cabin. This small ferry connects Naxos with Amorgos and the Small Cyclades Iraklia, Schinoussa, Koufonissi and Donoussa. Then you will be taken to a section with some information about it. Sea Dreams Rhodes to Symi and Turkey 28. In these cases, they are usually renamed and renovated. This ferry is called Proteas, currently operating by Anes ferries. They are a great budget option. By comparison, highspeed vessels can reach 38-40 knots per hour, or 70-74 kms / 44-46 miles per hour. The main ferry companies in Greece, in no particular order: 1. Their ferries differ a lot between them, ranging from large conventional ferries to small vessels. Flying Cat 4 Built: 1999, England Length: 55.1 metres Speed: 42 knots Passenger capacity: 438, Flying Cat 3 Built: 1997, England Length: 47.7 metres Speed: 42 knots Passenger capacity: 342, Flying Cat 5 Built: 1996, Norway Length: 40 metres Speed: 28 knots Passenger capacity: 336, Flying Cat 6 Built: 1997, Singapore Length: 40 metres Speed: 28 knots Passenger capacity: 336. Blue Star Ferries Athens to the Cyclades and the Dodecanese, 3. Zante Ferries Slow ferries to the Cyclades islands 9. Includes information about Greek ferries, how to book online, and more! One example is the Worldchampion Jet operated by SeaJets more on this below. In some cases, online booking through Ferryhopper might not be available. Small Cyclades Lines Naxos, Amorgos and the Small Cyclades 10. It even connects some of the minor islands, though routes are not on a daily basis. The economy / deck option gives you the right to sit anywhere on the deck, or in designated indoors areas. Just get there an hour earlier or so. Your email address will not be published. SeaJets also operates three smaller catamarans, that have no vehicle capacity. For more information on the Golden Star Ferries, visit their website. Minoan Lines Athens to Crete and the Cyclades, Greece Italy routes 12. Superfast I Built: 2008, Italy Length: 199 metres Speed: 24.2 knots Passenger capacity: 938 Vehicle capacity: 170 Number of cabins: 102, Superfast II Built: 2009, Italy Length: 199 metres Speed: 24.2 knots Passenger capacity: 938 Vehicle capacity: 170 Number of cabins: 102, Superfast XI Built: 2002, Germany Length: 200 metres Speed: 29 knots Passenger capacity: 1,821 Vehicle capacity: 900 Number of cabins: 198. Fast Ferries Athens to the Cyclades 7. These ferries also have cabins. All bigger ferries, as well as many of the high-speed ones, carry vehicles. So this is it, a list of all ferries in Greece who would have known they are so many. Finally, the conventional passenger / car ferries have all sorts of seats. There are many cafes and restaurants on board, and you can walk around most areas. Most conventional ferries run at a speed of 20-25 knots per hour, which translates to 37-45 kms / 23-29 miles per hour. Goutos Lines Athens to Kea and Kythnos 21. The bigger ferries are the most luxurious we have been on. Not all islands are accessible via ferries departing from Athens, but there are other ports in mainland Greece. Their destinations include Crete and the Dodecanese. What are these ferries like though? Overwhelmed already? In fact, sometimes, Greek ferries are sold to other Greek companies. Required fields are marked *. Express Skopelitis Built: 1986 Length: 45 metres Speed: 12.3 knots Passenger capacity: 340 Vehicle capacity: 11. Alexandra L (formerly known as Mirtidiotissa) Built: 1975, Japan Length: 101.25 metres Speed: 19 knots Passenger capacity: 750 summer, 604 winter Vehicle capacity: 240. For 2020, their ferries Rigel I and Rigel VII will run the route Patras Igoumenitsa on their way to Bari in Italy. This is because the routes that the ferries operate on change from year to year. They run on different routes around Greece. Looks at the moment that the last ferry each day is the Blue Star leaving at 15.30. If you have been to Greece before, you will know that there are dozens of companies operating in the country. Greek Island Hopping | Greece Travel Itineraries | Bicycle Touring, Last Updated On August 1, 2022 by Dave Briggs 2 Comments. Nissos Kalymnos is a medium-sized ferry (62 metres), with passenger and vehicle capacity. As an example, the popular Paros Antiparos route does not appear on search engines. As timetables and routes may change from season to season, its best to do some further research a few days before your trip. Hellenic Seaways Athens to several groups of islands in the Aegean Sea, 4. I have read some dreadful reviews saying people dont get the cabin they booked, that the ferries are often extremely late arriving for boarding, cabins are dirty. We have actually travelled on this ferry a few times, even during very windy weather, and were quite happy with it. If you want to learn more about Greece ferry travel though, read on! Many of the larger ferries have wi-fi services, though its not always free. They have three large, conventional ferries, and a faster catamaran. More importantly, it doesnt cost you anything extra. Alco Ferries operate the Sebeco II, running the half-hour journey from Rhodes to nearby Chalki. They connect Greece and Italy, and their Greek ports of call are Patras, Igoumenitsa and Corfu. Saronic ferries Ferries to the Saronic islands, 22. Corfu Ferries, Kerkyra Seaways & Kerkyra Lines Ionian islands, Corfu and Paxi, 17. It has a fairly large passenger capacity, at 780 people. Saronic ferries Ferries to the Saronic islands 22. In your experience, what are the cabins like on the Minoan and Suerfast ferries? We've included all of them in the list below, and most of the ferries can be booked online. Within each companys section, you will also find a brief description of the vessels they operate. The Sporades islands, including Skiathos and Skopelos, can be reached through mainland Greece. They are all easily accessible from Athens by public transportation or taxi. Watch this space! The company operates four catamaran vessels in this category. You will easily spot these photogenic ferries departing from Rafina port, as they are all bright red. Apart from the Greek ferry routes mentioned above though, there are hundreds of other ferry services in Greece. Zante Ferries Slow ferries to the Cyclades islands, 9. For more information on what they look like, you can check the company websites. Golden Star Ferries Athens to the Cyclades 5. He is incredibly knowledgeable and passionate when it comes to ferries in Greece, and his photos are in hundreds of Greek articles. You should be able to find passenger seats once you get there, or maybe book through the company websites. Some ferries also have baby changing facilities and even showers. Smaller, faster ferries only have indoor seating options. Kefalonia (formerly known as Nisos Kefalonia) Built: 1975, Japan. On-board you can also find stores where you can buy a range of items, like souvenirs, clothes, cosmetics and books. Generally speaking, the smaller ferries would have a snack bar and caf. Kavala port is connected with islands like Lemnos, Lesvos, Chios, and certain islands in the Dodecanese. For instance, the increasingly popular island of Antiparos can only be reached through the island of Paros. If you arent prepared to fight for your seat, booking reserved airplane seats might be the best option for you. Cruise Europa Built: 2009, Italy Length: 225 metres Speed: 27.5 knots Passenger capacity: 2,850 Vehicle capacity: 963 Number of beds: 1,257, Cruise Olympia Built: 2010, Italy Length: 225 metres Speed: 27.5 knots Passenger capacity: 2,850 Vehicle capacity: 963 Number of beds: 1,257, Festos Palace Built: 2002, Italy Length: 214 metres Speed: 31.5 knots Passenger capacity: 2,184 in summer / 1,865 in winter Vehicle capacity: 821 Number of beds: 744, Knossos Palace Built: 2000, Italy Length: 214 metres Speed: 31.5 knots Passenger capacity: 2,500 in summer / 2,448 in winter Vehicle capacity: 700 Number of beds: 758, Kydon Palace Built: 2001, Italy Length: 214 metres Speed: 31.5 knots Passenger capacity: 2,500 in summer / 2,448 in winter Vehicle capacity: 700 Number of beds: 758. These ferries range from smaller boats with no vehicle capacity to a few that are over 100 metres long. There are different types of seats you can choose from. Its best to rent a car in every island you travel to. They are called Flying Cat 3, 4, 5 and 6, which some people would think is slightly unimaginative. At the time of writing, the company lists four similar flying dolphins, that are 35 metres each. To get your ticket for the Greek islands, click here: Ferryhopper Greece. All these vessels are fairly small, and have no deck options, cabins or vehicle capacity. Alco Ferries Rhodes to Chalki in the Dodecanese 27. You would have thought that Zante Ferries travel to the Ionian islands, but no. Golden Star Ferries currently operate two conventional ferries, one of which has cabins. Alternatively, you can just click the links above. There is plenty of space, and there are several cafes, restaurants and bars on board. Well of course! Like the name suggests, this company operates four ferries to the Saronic islands of Aegina, Agistri, Methana and Poros. We would prefer to avoid them on a long trip, as it could end up being a bumpy ride. These are strong seasonal winds that can occasionally disrupt services. Sea Speed Ferries Athens to the Cyclades and Crete 8. Rigel VII Built: 1994, Japan Length: 163.5 metres Speed: 22.5 knots Passenger capacity: 775 Vehicle capacity: Yes Cabins: Yes, Rigel I Built: 1973 Length: 122 metres Speed: 19 knots Passenger capacity: 1,120 Vehicle capacity: 330 Number of beds: 550. Note: We cant thank enough the amazing Dimitris Mentakis who graciously offered us some of his fantastic photos to use in our articles. These are some of the smallest passenger catamarans in the Aegean, named Flying Dolphin 17 and 29. Who knows how many they were to begin with! Phivos Built: 1980 Length: 100 metres Speed: 15.5 knots Passenger capacity: 1,200 Vehicle capacity: 120, Apollon Hellas Built: 1990 Length: 91.80 metres Speed: 14.7 knots Passenger capacity: 1,380 Vehicle capacity: 100, Achaeos Built: 2007 Length: 87.7 metres Speed: 14.3 knots Passenger capacity: 1,000 Vehicle capacity: 140, Posidon Hellas Built: 1998 Length: 86 metres Speed: 14.9 knots Passenger capacity: 1,300 Vehicle capacity: 74. There are different types of cabins, which have anywhere from one to four beds. Anes Ferries are a small company, running small and medium-sized ferries around Greece. This is a range of moderately priced ferries for visitors who like to take their time. Ferries travel pretty much everywhere in Greece. Interestingly, Fior di Levante can run on electric power. We cant wait to use them this summer! Ferries from Alexandroupolis port depart for Samothraki island. Aegean Flying Dolphins Ferries to the Saronic islands and the Sporades, 24. Occasionally, they are bought by foreign companies and sent abroad. Also, remember that the ferries will occasionally be far from the mainland. Some of them, however, travel a lot faster. As an indication, a coffee would cost 3-4 euro and a cheesepie or sandwich could be around 3 euro. At the time of writing (summer 2020), some companies dont offer an e-ticket option. Medium-sized highspeed ferries also have reserved indoors seating. Aegean Flying Dolphins Ferries to the Saronic islands and the Sporades 23. Symi Symi connects Agios Konstantinos Evia and Volos with the Sporades islands. In all cases, check each companys policy at time of booking, as these tend to change from time to time. Goutos Lines Athens to Kea and Kythnos, 21. Watch this space! There is a range of seating arrangements, and no cabins. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); On this travel site, you'll find detailed guides and tips on traveling to Greece, as well as bikepacking blogs about cycling around the world. As an example, Crete is directly connected to many of the Cyclades islands. Even if the boat departs, you might not want to be on it on a very windy day! If you are not in a hurry, you will enjoy your trip on these ferries. There are several seat options, as well as a range of cabins. The companies below only run ferries from Greece to Turkey. Even islands that look very close on the map may not be directly connected at all. These ferries have no cabins, and they all have vehicle capacity. First time visitors to Greece may find it easier to arrange connections with Greek ferries with pre-booked taxis. Tip if you are interested in a boat / sailing trip during the peak season, consider the meltemi winds. They are all named after ancient Greek gods Zeus, Hermes, Athena and Venus I. Similarly, many around-the-island boat trips cannot be booked online. You can check itineraries and book your tickets at Ferryscanner. You can pre-book tickets at: Ferryscanner. These ferries are better for shorter trips, as the ride can be a little bumpy. Your email address will not be published. SeaJets Athens to the Cyclades and Crete 2. Panagia Skiadeni Length: 83.7 metres Speed: 16 knots Passenger capacity: 700 summer, 590 winter Vehicle capacity: 115, Dodekanisos Express Length: 40 metres Speed: 31 knots Passenger capacity: 337 Vehicle capacity: 6, Dodekanisos Pride Length: 40 metres Speed: 32 knots Passenger capacity: 280 Vehicle capacity: 9. Ionis Built: 1977, Greece Length: 96.30 metres Speed: 19 knots Passenger capacity: 800 Vehicle capacity: 150, Porfyrousa Built: 1997, Turkey Length: 75.5 metres Speed: 13 knots Passenger capacity: 300 Vehicle capacity: 150. Tickets tend to be on the expensive side, but if time is important they are a good option. Length: 127.6 metres Speed: 23 knots Passenger capacity: 1300 Vehicle capacity: 400. They are a great budget option for people who are not in a hurry. They also serve some Greece Italy routes, connecting Patras, Igoumenitsa and Corfu with Venice and Ancona. Other ferries from Greece to Turkey. This small company is due to operate one ferry for summer 2020. Aqua Jewel Built: 2002, Greece Length: 108 metres Speed: 20 knots Passenger capacity: 661 Vehicle capacity: 160. For more information, check out their website. Before you dive in, you should know that this guide is perhaps the most ridiculously in-depth guide to Greek ferry island hopping there is! Aegean Cat Length: 37 metres Speed: 29 knots Passenger capacity: 403, King Saron Length: 36 metres Speed: 27 knots Passenger capacity: 510, Symi II Speed: 14 knots Passenger capacity: 480. They operate two small passenger ferries. You may be able to stand on the deck for a while, but in general you wont find designated seating areas on the deck. Skyros Shipping Co Evia and Sporades, 19. This 29-metre long, passenger-only ferry was built in 2019. If you like walking around ferries and enjoying the deck, or if you get seasick easily, you might prefer to avoid them as well. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. These vessels are rarely full, so you will generally get a ticket for the next ferry available. For such routes, you can only get your tickets in person, at the port. In our experience they are mostly clean, and in our trips in the past few years there was toilet paper at all times. If you want to know more about a specific ferry company, you can search for its name in the same way. Thanks Dimitris! Youd have to leave from Volos or the small port of Agios Konstantinos near Kamena Vourla.