Ferry Tickets

When we think of islands and summer, we certainly think of the time we'll spend on the ferry travelling to our holiday destination!

Going by ferry for summer holidays is chosen much more often than flying.

The ferry offers several advantages, such as being able to take our car (on ferryboats), having more belongings with us, and – usually – travelling more economically than if we were to fly!

Most ferry tickets are considerably cheaper than flights to the Greek islands.

Especially if we consider the car factor (you can take it on the ferry, whereas by plane you'd have to rent a car on the island), then the cost of travel makes a huge difference!

But how can we book them? Where can we find cheap tickets for our islands?

Let's explore all the details...

 

Cheap ferry tickets

With the right search, we can find quite cheap tickets. Usually, company prices are the same and do not change depending on demand or season – unlike flights.

Ferry companies announce their prices at the start of each year, in cooperation with the Ministry of Shipping. This way, you know the cost of travelling to your favourite island from the outset.

However, depending on the agency you choose, you may see different charges.

Collaborations between ferry companies and travel agencies sometimes lead to price adjustments.

Another factor influencing ticket prices is the different companies operating a route.

For example, the route to Ikaria is operated by both Hellenic Seaways and Blue Star Ferries. Hellenic Seaways docks at the port of Evdilos, while Blue Star Ferries docks at the capital's port, Agios Kirykos.

Prices vary, as do the travel time from Piraeus and the intermediate stops.

[ Find cheap tickets at FerryScanner! ]

 

Ferry ticket prices 

Prices are generally known from the beginning of the year and certainly before the start of the tourist season. These prices are available on the companies' websites and at travel agencies, through which you will issue your tickets.

Prices are determined based on demand and the current economic situation. Depending on the route and whether it's an unprofitable line, some routes are also subsidised by the state, as due to low demand, they cannot be viable.

 

Ferry tickets to Crete

Crete has several ports, such as the ports of Chania, Heraklion, Rethymno, among others.

All ships depart from Piraeus, and from Crete, you can visit nearby islands at a short distance.

Before booking tickets for Crete, you must decide which port you want to go to, and this depends entirely on the area where you will be staying.

Distances are not great, but due to the roads and traffic during the summer months, travel times increase.

For example, the distance between Heraklion and Chania is approximately 2 hours, but in summer, it can take even 3 hours, due to the increased number of vehicles on the road.

If you want to stay in Chania, book tickets directly to Chania and not to any other port in Crete, as you will unnecessarily waste your time on transfers.

 

Tickets to Tinos

For Tinos, you can choose to depart from either Rafina or the port of Piraeus. Blue Star Ferries departs from Piraeus, while Fast Ferries and Golden Star Ferries depart from Rafina.

You will find cheaper ferry tickets to Tinos for departures from Rafina (Golden Star Ferries & Fast Ferries). The price difference between these companies and Blue Star Ferries is approximately €6.50 per passenger ticket per route.

From Piraeus, you will reach Tinos in approximately 4 hours and 45 minutes, while from Rafina, the journey is about 1 hour less – approximately 3 hours and 45 minutes.

 

Ferry tickets to Santorini

For Santorini, there are both fast ferries that do not accept cars and ferryboats where you can take your car with you.

The fast ferry takes about 5 hours for the Piraeus – Santorini route, while the slower one can take up to 12.5 hours!

The price of ferry tickets to Santorini corresponds to the speed of the vessel – faster ships have a more expensive price – almost double – compared to the equivalent route of the ship that takes a longer time.

Compared to flights to Santorini, ferry ticket prices are considerably lower, and we should not forget that you can take your car on the ferry – thus avoiding an extra financial burden upon arriving in Santorini, i.e., having to rent a car.

 

Milos ferry tickets

Departures for Milos take place from the port of Piraeus. There are both fast ships without car carrying capacity, and slower ferryboats where you can take your car.

The Piraeus – Milos journey is 2 hours and fifty minutes with the fast ferry, while it can reach 7 hours with the slower ferryboat (there is also the option of an Aegean Speed Lines ferryboat with a journey time of 4 hours and twenty minutes).

The prices of ferry tickets to Milos are directly linked to the journey time. The faster you want to reach Milos, the more expensive your tickets will be!

 

Tickets to Ikaria

As we mentioned at the beginning of the article, Ikaria has 2 ports – the port of Evdilos and the port of Agios Kirykos.

Agios Kirykos is the island's capital, while Evdilos is more of a tourist destination for all young people as it provides direct access to the part of the island with the most vibrant life (Nas, Armenistis, Christos Rachon, Evdilos, etc.).

Your holidays in Ikaria will be unforgettable, and you can travel from the port of Piraeus at a quite low cost!

Blue Star Ferries and Hellenic Seaways depart from Piraeus.

Prices start from €38 for both companies, excluding the cost of a car.

[ Find cheap tickets at FerryScanner! ]