Ferry from Ios to Athens (Piraeus)

When planning your trip on the Ios to Athens ferry, you can take advantage of the fixed discounts offered to various passenger categories. While these discounts differ from one company to another, you can generally expect lower ferry ticket prices for:

• Children under 11
• Students (Greek universities) & ISIC card holders
• Large Families (Greek citizens)
• Travelers with disabilities and their companion

Additionally, permanent residents of the Greek islands and loyalty club members are also entitled to reduced ticket fares.

Blue Star Ferries and Fast Ferries serve the Ios - Athens route with conventional ferries, such as the Blue Star Delos and the Dionisios Solomos, while Seajets operates high-speed catamarans such as the Champion Jet 1 and Olympic Champion Jet.

The conventional ferries are designed for long-haul travel and are more spacious, offering many modern amenities, including:

• Air-conditioned lounges and outer decks
• Snack bars, cafés, and restaurants (à la carte and self-service)
• Gift shops and kiosks
• Playrooms for children

The high-speed catamarans prioritize speed and offer a more basic range of amenities and services, such as:

• Air-conditioned lounges with TVs
• Café and snack bars

All ferries generally have a Wi-Fi hotspot to stay connected during the trip, with a range of data bundles available to suit your needs.

Accessibility

The vessels serving the Ios - Athens ferry route are generally accessible to travelers with disabilities, featuring ramps and elevators, accessible seating areas and adapted cabins.

Boarding assistance is typically available upon request and prior notification to the ferry company before your journey.

Note: accessibility features vary from vessel to vessel, so it is recommended to contact the ferry company at the time of booking for further details.

Cabins and accommodation

Are there cabins?

Yes, on the conventional ferries operated by Blue Star Ferries traveling from Naxos to Piraeus in Athens, you can book a cabin for 1-4 passengers. Typically, you have a choice between:

• Standard interior cabins
• Exterior cabins (with a sea view)
• Cabins for passengers with disabilities
• Pet-friendly cabins
• Shared cabins

Cabin prices start at around €92.

Can I book business-class seats?

Yes, on most Ios - Athens ferries you can book a numbered reclining seat or a seat in the business/VIP lounge to travel in comfort. These seats are available on both conventional and high-speed ferries, typically offer more space and are in an exclusive lounge onboard.

Prices for numbered seats start at about €60, while business/VIP seats cost from around €77.

Luggage

Greek ferry companies are generally quite flexible when it comes to baggage, however each one has its own luggage policy:

• Blues Star Ferries and Seajets allow you to bring up to 50 kg of luggage.
• When traveling with Fast Ferries, you can bring as many bags as you can carry on board yourself, without any weight or size restrictions.

You can keep your bags and suitcases next to you or store them in the designated luggage area on the ferry to Athens. Bear in mind that there is no check-in procedure for luggage items.

Traveling with pets

You can bring your pet with you on ferries from Ios to Athens, usually for free, provided you include it in your booking.

Make sure you bring along your pet’s health and travel documents, as well as tickets and pet supplies you may need for the trip.

For more details, take a look at our guide on pet travel by ferry in Greece.

Where do pets stay?

On most ferries operated by Seajets and Fast Ferries, your pet can stay with you, however when traveling with Blue Star Ferries you can also have the option of booking a pet-friendly cabin or a space in the onboard kennels.

During the trip, smaller pets must be kept in their carrier, while larger pets must wear a muzzle and be kept on a leash.

Here are some useful tips for your ferry trip from Ios to Athens (Piraeus):

• The port of Ios can get very busy, especially during the high season, so it’s recommended to be there at least 1 hr in advance. If you’re traveling with a vehicle, it’s best to arrive 2 hr ahead of departure.
• The Aegean can get a bit choppy, so if you are sensitive to the waves, consider taking seasickness medication for the trip. As always, you can discuss your options with your pharmacist or doctor.
• Greek ferries can get a bit chilly indoors, even during the summer, so bring along a light jacket or sweater for a more comfortable trip.
• Many ferries from Ios to Piraeus travel overnight, so consider booking a cabin or reclining seat to stretch out and arrive fresh in Athens.
• Alternatively, you can also travel to Athens on the Ios - Rafina ferry, which is usually active seasonally, with 1 daily crossing from May to October. The port of Rafina is about 30 km from central Athens and around 16 km from the Athens International Airport.
• If you are heading to Athens on a short trip, book tickets on the Piraeus - Ios ferry in advance, as cabins and car deck spaces are limited.
• From Ios, you can also travel by ferry to many other islands in the Cyclades, including Santorini, Paros, Mykonos and Milos. For more details on all ferry routes, companies and ticket prices, check out the Ios ferry schedules.

Where to take the ferry from Ios to Athens (Piraeus)

Ferries to Athens normally depart from the port of Ios, also known as Gialos, on the west coast. This is the main passenger port of Ios and is about 2 km from Chora, the island capital.

The port area is small and easy to navigate, with plenty of cafés, restaurants, bakeries, shops, ATMs, ticket offices, car-rental agencies, nearby hotels, and public parking close to the ferry terminal. While there is a public parking zone near the waterfront, it fills up very quickly during boat arrivals and departures.

How to get to the port of Ios?

• On foot: if you’re staying in or near Chora, you can walk down to the port in about 20 min.
• By car: you can easily reach the port from Chora and other areas in Ios via the main road.
• By bus: local KTEL buses connect the port with Chora and Mylopotas Beach, roughly every 15 to 20 min in the summer season.
• By taxi: taxis are usually available in Chora, with the ride to the port taking around 5 min.

Where does the ferry arrive in Athens?

Ferries from Ios typically arrive at the port of Piraeus, the main ferry port of Athens and one of the busiest passenger ports in Greece. Ferries serving the Cyclades usually dock at gates E4, E6, E7, E9 and E10 though the exact arrival gate can vary depending on the ferry company and vessel.

The port of Piraeus is about 15 km from downtown Athens and around 45 km from Athens International Airport. Around the gate and wider area, you’ll find waiting areas, snack bars, ticket offices, toilets, tourist information desks, taxi ranks, cafés, shops, ATMs, taxi ranks and public transport stops.

Traveling onwards from Piraeus

• By metro: the Athens Metro Lines 1 and 3 serve the port directly, with Line 1 linking to central Athens and Line 3 connecting through to the airport and city center.
• By bus: several city and regional bus lines stop near the port, including direct options to key hubs, with the X96 bus linking the port directly with Athens International Airport around the clock.
• By taxi: taxi ranks are available at the port, with journeys to central Athens take about 15-35 min depending on traffic, while a ride to the airport can take 45 min to 1 hr.