Greece Ferries Guide (2026): How to Book, Which Athens Port, and What If It's Cancelled
Contents (15)
Short answer: book Greek ferries online, through the ferry company or a comparison site such as Ferryhopper, and show the QR code from your phone. Check which of Athens' three ports you're sailing from (Piraeus, Rafina or Lavrio), arrive at least an hour before departure, and leave a day's buffer before your flight home, because strong wind can cancel sailings, fast ferries first.
Ferries are the main way to reach the Greek islands, and in summer they're part of the experience. But anyone who arrives unprepared quickly discovers that Athens has three ports, there are two types of ship with a big difference in price and sensitivity to wind, and timetables change completely between summer and winter. In this guide we've gathered what you need to know before booking a ticket.
How to book a ferry in Greece
Most tickets are now bought online, through the ferry company's website or a comparison site that brings several companies together in one place (such as Ferryhopper). The advantage of a comparison site is that you see all the options for the same route on the same day, including combinations with a change on an island along the way.
- Your ticket arrives by email with a QR code or boarding pass. With most companies you can show it on your phone, without printing.
- Book ahead in summer and on holidays, especially if you're traveling with a car or want a cabin. Outside the season there's usually space even a day or two before.
- Tickets are in the passenger's name, and the details must match your passport. If you booked a discounted ticket (child, student), bring the document that proves eligibility.
- Leave a phone number and email in the booking. That way the company can update you about delays, changes or cancellations.
Which Athens port: Piraeus, Rafina or Lavrio
Athens has three passenger ports, and it's important to check on your ticket which one your ferry leaves from. They're far apart, and going to the wrong port almost always means missing the sailing.
| Port | Where | Main destinations |
|---|---|---|
| Piraeus | Southwest Athens, connected to the metro | The largest port: most Cyclades islands, Crete, the Dodecanese, the Saronic islands (Aegina, Hydra) |
| Rafina | East Attica, closer to the airport | Andros and Tinos, plus Mykonos and other Cyclades islands |
| Lavrio | Southeast Attica | Kea and Kythnos year-round, and other western Cyclades islands |
Tip: if you're landing and sailing on the same day to Andros, Tinos or Mykonos, check whether there's a sailing from Rafina. The port is closer to the airport than Piraeus.
Finding your way around Piraeus
Piraeus is a huge port with many gates, and ferries leave from different gates depending on the destination. Your departure gate is shown on your ticket and on electronic signs at the port. From the port entrance to the farthest gate can be a half-hour walk, and some of the far gates have a free shuttle bus inside the port. Trust the gate printed on your ticket, not lists online, because they change.
Fast ferry or conventional: what's the difference?
Most popular routes have two types of ship:
- Conventional ferry: a large ship that also carries cars. Slower, but more stable at sea, cheaper, and with an open deck, a restaurant and sometimes cabins. Keeps sailing in relatively strong wind.
- High-speed ferry (catamaran): cuts the journey time, sometimes almost in half, but costs more. You almost always sit inside in an assigned seat, it rocks more in waves, and it's the first to be cancelled when the wind picks up.
If you get seasick: choose a conventional ferry, sit in the middle of the ship on a lower deck, and take an anti-nausea tablet before sailing. Even in summer the Aegean can be choppy.
How early to arrive at the port
The usual advice is to arrive at least an hour before departure, and more if you're boarding with a car or sailing from Piraeus in high season. Gates close shortly before departure, and Greek ferries leave on time even when they arrive late. Don't plan a tight arrival.
Cancellations due to wind: what happens and what to do
In Greece, wind is the main reason sailings are cancelled. In summer the meltemi wind blows across the islands, and in winter there are storms. When the weather is bad, the coast guard (port authority) can issue a sailing ban from certain ports. In other cases the decision stays with the captain. Fast ferries are cancelled first, and conventional ones keep sailing in stronger wind.
What to do when your sailing is cancelled:
- Check with the company or booking site on the status of your sailing, the day before and again that morning.
- Ask to move your ticket to another sailing or get a refund. When the company cancels a sailing, you can usually move your ticket to another one at no extra cost or get a refund. Refunds aren't always automatic, so you need to ask.
- Keep your ticket and the cancellation notice in case you need to make a claim with the company or your travel insurance.
Tip: don't plan a ferry from an island on the day of your flight home. Leave at least one day of buffer in Athens before your flight. A single cancelled sailing is enough to miss a flight.
Ferries in winter: what changes
From November to March the timetable shrinks a lot. Routes from Piraeus to the big islands keep running, but direct routes between islands, such as Santorini–Mykonos, usually don't run in winter. When there's no direct route, you go back via Piraeus. Small islands sometimes have only a few sailings a week. Before planning an island-hopping route outside the season, check the timetable for that specific month. More in Greece in October and November.
Taking a rental car on a ferry
Want to take a rental car on a ferry? Don't assume it's allowed. Most rental companies in Greece require written permission in advance, and sometimes extra insurance cover. Without that permission, the car's insurance may not apply during the crossing or on the island. In most cases it's simpler to return the car and rent a new one on the island.
Internet on the ferry
In the middle of the sea, mobile signal weakens and sometimes disappears completely, and not every ferry has Wi-Fi. Before boarding:
- Download offline maps of the island you're heading to.
- Save your ticket, hotel confirmation and transfer details on your phone.
- Make sure you have an active data plan, so you can book a taxi or navigate as soon as the ship docks.
A FlySim eSIM for Greece connects to the local networks, so you have internet on the islands and at the ports without hunting for Wi-Fi.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to print my ferry ticket in Greece?
With most companies, no. You show the QR code or boarding pass on your phone. Check the instructions in your booking email, because some companies or ticket types still require collecting a ticket at the port.
How far in advance should I book a ferry in Greece?
In summer and on holidays, a few weeks ahead, especially with a car or if you want a cabin. Outside the season you can usually book close to the date. What changes then is the number of sailings, not availability.
What's the difference between Piraeus and Rafina?
Both are Athens ports. Piraeus is the largest and serves most islands. Rafina is smaller, in east Attica and closer to the airport, and it's the main port for Andros and Tinos.
What happens if my ferry is cancelled because of wind?
You can usually move your ticket to another sailing or ask for a refund. Refunds aren't always automatic, so contact the company or the site you booked through. The final decision rests with the ferry company.
Is there internet on Greek ferries?
Some ferries have Wi-Fi, but it isn't always stable, and mobile signal also weakens out at sea. Download maps and important documents in advance, and arrive with an active data plan for when you dock.