Island hopping
Ferries, decoded
Conventional ferries are cheaper, steadier and let you sit on deck. Fast boats save hours but get cancelled first when the meltemi blows.
Classic hops
Classic Cyclades
10–12 daysAthens⟶Paros⟶Naxos⟶Santorini
All on one ferry artery — easy, frequent, reliable.
Quiet Western Cyclades
8–10 daysAthens⟶Sifnos⟶Milos⟶Folegandros
Fewer boats, fewer crowds. Check schedules early.
Cyclades to Crete
12–14 daysAthens⟶Naxos⟶Santorini⟶Heraklion⟶Chania
End with a flight home from Chania or Heraklion.
Dodecanese ramble
9–11 daysRhodes⟶Symi⟶Kos⟶Patmos
Fly into Rhodes, fly out of Kos.
Popular routes (summer)
| From | To | Duration | Price | Operators |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Piraeus | Paros | 3–4h (conv.) / 2.5h (fast) | €40–75 | Blue Star, SeaJets |
| Piraeus | Naxos | 4–5.5h / 3h | €40–85 | Blue Star, SeaJets |
| Piraeus | Santorini | 8h / 5h | €45–95 | Blue Star, SeaJets |
| Piraeus | Milos | 7h / 3h | €45–80 | Zante Ferries, SeaJets |
| Rafina | Mykonos | 2.2h (fast) | €60–80 | Golden Star, SeaJets, Fast Ferries |
| Paros | Naxos | 35–60min | €10–30 | Blue Star, SeaJets |
| Naxos | Santorini | 1.5–2h | €20–60 | Blue Star, SeaJets |
| Santorini | Heraklion | 2h (fast) | €70–95 | SeaJets, Minoan |
| Piraeus | Chania (Souda) | 9h overnight | €40–60 deck / €100+ cabin | ANEK/Minoan |
| Piraeus | Hydra | 1.5–2h | €30–40 | Hellenic Seaways, Aegean Flying Dolphins |
| Igoumenitsa | Corfu | 1.5h | €10–12 | Kerkyra Lines |
| Rhodes | Symi | 50min–1.5h | €12–20 | Dodekanisos Seaways |
Book ahead
July–August and holiday weekends sell out, especially cabins and cars. Otherwise, a few days ahead is fine.
Check the wind
Beaufort 7+ grounds fast boats. Leave a buffer day before international flights.
Arrive early
Be at the port 45 minutes before. Boats leave on time even if they arrive late.