Greek Island Hopping by Ferry: 5 Routes & Real Prices

Island hopping in Greece

Island hopping means travelling from one Greek island to the next by ferry, with a few nights on each. The Cyclades are the easiest place to start: the islands are close together, and in summer there are boats between them every day. Below are five routes we recommend, with real ferry times and fares from our booking engine for each leg.

The fares are the lowest one-way adult fares we found (October 2026 for the all-year lines, June 2027 for summer lines). Each leg links to its island or route guide.

5 island hopping itineraries

The classic Cyclades

Summer · 10–14 days

The four most famous islands in one trip: Mykonos for beaches and nightlife, Paros and Naxos for villages and long beaches, and Santorini for the caldera and the sunsets. The hops are short and there are several boats a day in summer.

Leg	Time	From	Notes
Piraeus → Mykonos	2 h 35 m – 4 h 40 m	€53	Blue Star all year; Seajets in summer
Mykonos → Paros	35 min – 1 h 15 m	€65.70	Summer high-speed
Paros → Naxos	10–25 min	€37.80	Summer
Naxos → Santorini	1 h 05 m – 1 h 35 m	€68.70	Summer
Santorini → Piraeus	5 h 35 m – 7 h 50 m	€59	Or fly back from Santorini

All ferries for one adult from about €284 one way per leg added up.

The northern Cyclades from Rafina

All year · 6–9 days

Close to Athens airport and good all year: green Andros, the marble villages of Tinos, a few days on Mykonos and the elegant capital Syros. Conventional ferries carry cars and campers on every leg.

Leg	Time	From	Notes
Rafina → Andros	1 h – 2 h	€19.70	Daily
Andros → Tinos	50 min – 1 h 35 m	€19	Daily
Tinos → Mykonos	15–35 min	€10	Daily
Mykonos → Syros	30 min	€45.70	Seajets; Blue Star some days
Syros → Piraeus	2 h – 4 h 05 m	€46.50	Several a day

All ferries for one adult from about €141 one way per leg added up.

Western Cyclades to Crete

Summer · 10–12 days

Volcanic Milos, the pottery villages of Sifnos or the clifftop Chora of Folegandros, Santorini, and then Crete, where you can fly home or take the overnight ferry back to Athens.

Leg	Time	From	Notes
Piraeus → Milos	3 h 30 m – 4 h 35 m	€42	All year
Milos → Folegandros	55 min – 1 h 15 m	€74.70	Summer
Folegandros → Santorini	45 min – 1 h 30 m	€79.70	Summer
Santorini → Heraklion (Crete)	1 h 40 m	€99.70	Seajets; Blue Star some days from €15.50
Heraklion → Piraeus	about 9½ h, overnight	€33	Every night, with cabins

All ferries for one adult from about €329 one way per leg added up.

Paros, Naxos and the Small Cyclades

Summer · 8–12 days

A slower trip: Paros and tiny Antiparos, the big island of Naxos, and the turquoise coves of Koufonisia, then the Blue Star ferry back to Piraeus.

Leg	Time	From	Notes
Piraeus → Paros	2 h 35 m – 4 h 30 m	€41.50	All year
Paros → Antiparos	7 min from Pounta	€7.30 (car)	All day, all year
Paros → Naxos	10–25 min	€37.80	Summer
Naxos → Koufonisia	35 min – 1 h 25 m	€53	Summer; the local ferry is cheaper
Koufonisia → Piraeus	about 8½ h	€52.50	Blue Star, most days

All ferries for one adult from about €185 one way per leg added up.

A budget trip outside the summer

October to May · 5–7 days

All-year ferries and low fares: Syros, Tinos and Mykonos are open and lively even in winter, and Rafina brings you back close to the airport.

Leg	Time	From	Notes
Piraeus → Syros	3 h 35 m – 4 h 05 m	€46.50	Blue Star, several a day
Syros → Tinos	20–35 min	€12	All year
Tinos → Mykonos	15–35 min	€10	All year
Mykonos → Rafina	4 h 40 m – 4 h 50 m	€35.50	All year; faster in summer

All ferries for one adult from about €104 one way per leg added up.

How to plan your island hopping

Book one leg at a time

Island hopping tickets are one-way tickets, one for each leg. Search each leg on its own date; you can book them all at once or as you go.

High-speed or conventional?

High-speed boats are faster and dearer and can be bumpy in the wind; conventional ferries are cheaper, steadier and carry cars and campers.

Book early in July and August

Popular legs and cabins sell out in peak season, especially with a car. Outside the summer you can usually book a few days ahead.

Keep a spare day before your flight

The north wind (meltemi) can delay or cancel boats in summer. Plan your last leg a day before an international flight.

Check the port

Some islands have two ports or piers, such as Mykonos (new and old port) and Tinos. Your ticket shows which one.

With a car or camper

Island hopping by car or camper is easy on the conventional ferries. Declare the exact length and height; ask us for a vehicle quote.

Useful guides: Cyclades islands Choosing an Athens port All ferry routes Ferry companies

Island hopping FAQ

How do I book island hopping ferry tickets?

Book a one-way ticket for each leg, for example Piraeus–Mykonos, Mykonos–Paros and Paros–Naxos. Use the search on this page for each date, or send us your plan and we will find the best connections.

Which islands are best for a first island hopping trip?

Mykonos, Paros, Naxos and Santorini: they are close together with many boats a day in summer. For a quieter trip all year, try Andros, Tinos, Mykonos and Syros from Rafina.

How much does island hopping cost?

Short hops between neighbouring islands start from about €10 (Tinos–Mykonos, October 2026). Summer high-speed hops in the central Cyclades usually cost €40–€80. Ferries from Athens start from about €20–€60 one way depending on the island.

Can I island hop in winter?

Yes, on the all-year lines: Piraeus to Syros, Paros, Naxos, Santorini and Crete, and Rafina to Andros, Tinos and Mykonos. There are fewer boats and fewer high-speed connections.

How long should I stay on each island?

At least two or three nights, so you are not on a ferry every day. Two islands a week is a relaxed pace.

Can I island hop with a car or camper?

Yes. Conventional ferries carry cars, campers, caravans and vans between most islands. Book early in summer and declare the exact size of your vehicle.

Greek Island Hopping by Ferry

Search each leg of your trip

All Greek ferry companies, one search