BLUE STAR FERRIESCONVENTIONAL
Piraeus → IosExample sailing · 29 October 2026
07:25Piraeus
6h 45mby day
14:10Ios
- Seat
- Deck / economy
- Vehicles
- Cars, campers and caravans
- Fare for
- 1 adult · one way · no vehicle
Fare from€55.00
Economy1 adult · one way
Ios by ferry
Ios is famous for its nightlife, but it is also one of the most beautiful islands of the Cyclades: a dazzling white Chora on a hill crowned by windmills and chapels, and long golden beaches such as Mylopotas and Manganari. Outside July and August it is quiet, and the tomb of Homer, according to tradition, lies in the north of the island.
Ferries leave Piraeus all year: Blue Star in about 6 h 45 m (from €55) and Fast Ferries in about 9 hours (from €48), and in summer Seajets high-speed boats in 4 h 15 m – 5 h 20 m (from €89.70). Santorini is about an hour away.
Stay in the Chora
For the views and the nightlife, a short bus ride or a 20-minute walk up from the port.
Stay by the beach
Mylopotas has a long sandy beach, hotels and beach bars; Ormos, the port, is the most convenient for early ferries.
Ferry routes & prices
Ios is on the main Cyclades line from Piraeus via Paros and Naxos to Santorini. Blue Star and Fast Ferries sail all year; Seajets adds fast boats in summer. A local ferry links Ios with Sikinos, Folegandros and Santorini. Piraeus–Ios route guide.
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SEAJETSHIGH-SPEED
Piraeus → IosExample sailing · 17 June 2027
07:00Piraeus
4h 15mhigh-speed
11:15Ios
- Seat
- Economy
- Season
- Summer
- Fare for
- 1 adult · one way
Fare from€89.70
Economy1 adult · one way
| From | Companies | Fastest | Fares from | When |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Piraeus | Blue Star Ferries, Fast Ferries, Seajets | 4 h 15 m | €48 | All year |
| Santorini | Local ferry, Seajets | 35 min – 1 h 15 m | €10 | All year |
| Naxos | Blue Star Ferries | 1 h 45 m | €8.50 | All year |
| Sikinos & Folegandros | Blue Star, local ferry | 25 min – 1 h 15 m | €3.50 | All year |
Children travel at reduced fares. Other discounts, such as for students, large families or people with disabilities, apply only to Greek citizens. For a group booking, ask us for a quote.
Related guides: Cyclades islandsIsland hoppingAll destinations
Island hopping from Ios
Short, cheap hops all year (October 2026 fares); in summer Seajets adds faster, dearer boats.
Arriving & getting around
Where does the boat arrive?
All ferries arrive at Ormos, the port at the head of a sheltered bay. The Chora is 2 km uphill and Mylopotas beach 4 km further, with buses meeting the ferries.
Leaving from Piraeus
Gates in Piraeus
Blue Star shows your gate when you check in (online or at the port). Seajets usually leaves from gate E9 or E7 and sends you an SMS with the gate. Some sailings use E1 or E2, at the other end of the port, so always check and allow extra time.
When to be at the port
At least an hour before departure with a vehicle, and 30–45 minutes on foot. The metro and the suburban train stop right by the Cyclades gates.
Flying into Athens?
Leave at least 4 hours between your flight’s landing and the ferry’s departure. Choosing an Athens port.
On the island
From the port
Buses run between the port, the Chora and Mylopotas; taxis are few. In summer many hotels collect guests from the ferry.
Getting around
Rent a scooter, car or ATV to reach Manganari, Agia Theodoti and the north of the island.
Nightlife season
The bars and clubs of the Chora are busiest from late June to early September.
Flying
Ios has no airport. Fly to Santorini or Athens and continue by ferry.
Campers, vans & vehicles
Taking a camper, motorhome, van or your boat on a trailer to Ios? Big vehicles need a little more planning on Greek ferries. Here is what to know, for holidays and for business.
1
Measure and declare
Give the exact length and height of your camper, van or car with caravan, including bike racks, roof boxes and tow bars. The ferry fare and deck space depend on them, and a vehicle bigger than booked may be refused or charged extra at the port.
2
Gas and fuel
Vehicles running on LPG or other gas, and hybrid or electric vehicles, must be declared when you book. Gas tanks may be filled to no more than 50% and EV batteries charged to no more than 40%. Make sure gas bottles are turned off before boarding.
3
At the port
Be at the port at least 1 hour before departure. Large vehicles are loaded in the order set by the port authority, so arriving early helps. Book well ahead in July and August: garage space for big vehicles runs out first.
4
On board
Only the driver stays with the vehicle to drive it on and off; everyone else boards on foot. Nobody may stay in the vehicle during the crossing, so take what you need for the trip with you.
5
Boat on a trailer
Taking your own boat? We also book ferry tickets for a car towing a boat trailer. Give the total length of car, trailer and boat together, and the height of the boat on the trailer, including any mast, frame or outboard engine.
On Ios: wild camping is not allowed in Greece. You can park a camper wherever car parking is allowed, but setting up camp outside a campsite can be fined. The road from the port to the Chora and Mylopotas is good; parking in the Chora is limited.
1
Vans and goods
Vans carrying goods, tools or equipment for work may be booked as commercial vehicles, with a different fare and different paperwork from a private car. Tell us what the vehicle carries and its weight.
2
Teams and fleets
Several vehicles and drivers on the same sailing, or regular crossings for a project? We book them together so your team travels on the same ship.
3
Exact dimensions
Length, height and weight decide the category. Include racks, ladders and trailers, and tell us if anything is loaded on the roof.
4
Timing
Commercial vehicles may need to be at the port earlier than cars. We confirm the exact check-in time and gate for your sailing.
5
Company invoice
Travelling for work? We issue an invoice in your company’s name. Send us the company name, address and VAT number with your quote request.
Beaches & things to see
South
Mylopotas
A long sandy beach with water sports and beach bars.
South
Manganari
Sheltered golden sand in the far south.
Chora
Windmills & Panagia Gremiotissa
Sunset views over the bay from the top of the Chora.
North
Homer’s tomb
The traditional burial place of the poet, with wide sea views.
East
Agia Theodoti
A quieter sandy beach on the east coast.
Evenings & nightlife
Ios is the party island of the Cyclades in July and August: the lanes of the Chora fill with bars and clubs open until morning, and Mylopotas has beach parties. In spring and autumn it is calm.
Ferry companies serving Ios
Ios ferry FAQ
How long is the ferry from Athens to Ios?
From Piraeus: about 6 h 45 m on Blue Star, 9 hours on Fast Ferries, and 4 h 15 m – 5 h 20 m on the summer Seajets boats.
How much is the ferry to Ios?
From €48 on Fast Ferries and €55 on Blue Star (October 2026); from €89.70 on Seajets in summer.
How do I get from Ios to Santorini?
Local ferries and Seajets cross in 35 minutes to 1 h 15 m, from €10.
Can I take my car or camper to Ios?
Yes, on Blue Star and Fast Ferries. Get a vehicle quote.
Which gate do Ios ferries use in Piraeus?
Blue Star shows your gate in Piraeus when you check in; Seajets usually leaves from E9 or E7.