Owning a home on a Greek island is a dream for many, but accessibility is a key factor. Ferries in Greece are not only one of the most popular means of transportation; Greek ferries are a fundamental pillar of life on and around the Greek islands. Coastal shipping is essential for the movement of people and goods. For potential buyers who are interested in real estate in Greece, it is crucial to have a clear picture of Greek ferries. For those wanting to know more about sea connections in Greece, this is your Greek island ferry guide.
Corfu, Greece
How to get around Greece by ferry
The coastal shipping network in Greece
Greece has a dense domestic coastal shipping network that no other European or Mediterranean country has. The main ports of departure are Piraeus, Lavrio, and Rafina, and the most frequent destinations are the Cyclades, Crete, the Dodecanese, and the Ionian Islands.
Piraeus, which is the fifth busiest port in Europe and the second in the Mediterranean, connects the mainland with:
- The Dodecanese (Rhodes, Karpathos, Kalymnos etc.)
- The Cyclades (Mykonos, Santorini, Paros etc.)
- Crete
- The Northeast Aegean islands (Lesvos, Chios)
- The Argo-Saronic gulf islands (like Salamina, Aegina etc.)
- Evia
Other smaller ports in Greece
Apart from Athens, there are other ports connecting mainland Greece with the islands. For instance, if you want to visit the Ionian islands (like Corfu, Zakynthos, etc.), you can take the ferry from western Greece, from Patra or Igoumenitsa. It should be noted that ferries in Greece also connect its western part with Italy, from Patra, Igoumenitsa and Corfu to Italian cities including Ancona, Bari, Brindisi, and Venice.
As the largest Greek island, Crete also offers a variety of choices concerning ferries in Greece, as it is connected with many islands in the Cyclades (Mykonos, Naxos, Santorini) and the Dodecanese (Rhodes, Karpathos, etc.) as well as mainland Greece via Piraeus and Rafina. Six ports in Crete accept passenger ships:
- The Port of Kissamos (Kastelli), just outside the town. From here, there are routes to Kythira and Antikythira only.
- The Port of Souda, 14 kilometers from Chania
- The Port of Rethymno
- The Port of Heraklion
- The Port of Agios Nikolaos
- The Port of Sitia
Additionally, Greek ferries from the ports of Volos and Evia lead to the Sporades islands (Skiathos, Skopelos, Alonissos).
Ferries in Greece also move between other ports in cities in northern Greece, like Thessaloniki, from which you can visit Lemnos and the northeast Aegean islands. It also has specific routes to some islands of the Cyclades. Kavala is another city in northern Greece that connects the mainland with islands like Thasos, Lemnos, Samothraki and the Northeast Aegean islands. Alexandroupoli also has routes to Lemnos and Samothraki.
It is worth noting that travelling between islands is often easy, because the islands in each island group are connected.
In total, according to the 24th Annual Study on Greek Coastal Shipping by XRTC Business Consultant specializing in the maritime industry, the country’s coastal fleet consists of 153 ships serving 115 islands.
Boat options to explore Greece by ferry
There’s a variety of boats someone can choose to get around Greece by ferry. Various types of passenger ships are used, mainly coastal vessels, such as passenger-car ferries, speedboats (such as catamarans, hydrofoils, and hovercraft). There are also cruise ships for tourist traffic and boats with overnight cabins for long journeys.
Where and how can I book ferry tickets in Greece?
The largest ferry companies in Greece are Blue Star Ferries, Seajets, and ANEK Lines. The best-known platform for buying ferry tickets in Greece is Ferryhopper, from which you can choose the destination and the company you prefer.
But be careful, especially in summer months or at celebrations like Easter, which are really busy and characterised by high traffic in ferries in Greece, make sure you book your ticket in advance and don’t leave it until the last minute. Most people book their tickets early, especially during these periods. You can do it online, but also at the harbour at a ticket booth.
View with cruise ships of the volcanic caldera of Nea Kameni from the village of Thira (Fira), Santorini Island
Tips for foreign visitors and property buyers
For foreign visitors and property buyers, knowing how Greek ferries work is essential. Booking ferry tickets in Greece early saves money and time, and you can really enjoy travelling in Greece by ferry if you move smartly. A practical Greek island ferry guide is the best tool a foreign visitor or a property buyer needs if they plan to travel with ferries in Greece.
It is also recommended to look at winter schedules, as these differ significantly from summer schedules. For example, during the off-season between November and April, some small Greek islands do not have scheduled ferry services, and on others, services depend on the weather.
The opportunity to spend the weekend on a neighbouring island is part of the “Greek island living” that attracts foreigners. If you are planning to buy a house on a Greek island, in addition to flights, you should check ferry connections as well, as they can be very useful in your daily life.
All in all, buying a property on a Greek island gives you the chance to explore an entire network of destinations by sea. Ferries in Greece can serve a large number of people, due to the hundreds of island destinations, but also because they offer a unique experience to passengers who travel while admiring the sea and the islands around them.
