Cyclades Island Hopping by Ferry: Mykonos, Paros, Naxos, Santorini & More
Ferries around the Cyclades: Piraeus, Rafina and Lavrio departures, the Paros–Naxos–Ios–Santorini line, the western islands and the Small Cyclades, with times.
📋 Essential Pre-Departure Checklist
- ✓Pick your Athens port by island: Rafina for Andros, Tinos and Mykonos; Piraeus for most others; Lavrio for Kea and Kythnos
- ✓Crossing times here are for conventional ferries; fast boats are quicker but more expensive and more weather-sensitive
- ✓Many island-to-island links run only a few times a week outside summer, so plan the order of islands around them
- ✓Book ahead in July and August
Leaving Athens: Piraeus, Rafina or Lavrio
Athens has three ferry ports for the Cyclades. Piraeus is the biggest: Blue Star Ferries sails daily to Syros (from 3 hours 35 minutes) and Tinos (about 5 hours 20 minutes), and FB Dionisios Solomos (Fast Ferries) runs the western Cyclades line three or four times a week. Rafina, east of Athens and closer to the airport, is the port for Andros, Tinos and Mykonos: Fast Ferries runs one to two daily Rafina – Andros – Tinos – Mykonos sailings in winter and up to three a day from 25 May to 30 September. Lavrio, in the south of Attica, serves Kea (about an hour) and Kythnos on Hellenic Seaways’ Artemis, up to twice a week.
The central line: Paros, Naxos, Ios and Santorini
Blue Star Ferries’ Piraeus – Paros – Naxos – (Ios) – Santorini line is the backbone of island hopping. Paros to Naxos takes about 50 minutes, Naxos to Ios about 1 hour 10 minutes and Ios to Santorini about an hour; Naxos to Santorini is about 2 to 2½ hours, direct or via Ios. Paros and Naxos have daily sailings; Ios has up to five a week on the Blue Star line.
The northern Cyclades: Syros, Tinos and Mykonos
Syros, Tinos and Mykonos sit close together. Syros to Tinos takes 40 to 50 minutes, Syros to Mykonos about 45 minutes direct, and Tinos to Mykonos about 40 minutes, with daily sailings on Blue Star and, from Rafina, Fast Ferries.
The western Cyclades and Milos
FB Dionisios Solomos sails Piraeus – Serifos – Sifnos – Milos – Kimolos – Folegandros – Sikinos – Ios – Santorini three or four times a week. Serifos to Sifnos is about 50 minutes, Sifnos to Milos about 2 hours 10 minutes, Milos to Folegandros about 2 hours 50 minutes (via Kimolos) and Milos to Santorini about 5 hours. ANEK’s overnight Piraeus – Milos – Chania ship links Milos with Crete.
The Small Cyclades and Amorgos
Small Cyclades Lines’ local boat leaves Naxos at 14:00 Monday to Saturday for Iraklia, Schinoussa and Koufonisi (about 2 hours 35 minutes), continuing to Katapola on Amorgos. Blue Star also reaches Koufonisia and Amorgos from Piraeus up to three times a week.
Cyclades ferries: crossing times and frequency
From Blue Star Ferries, Fast Ferries, Hellenic Seaways, ANEK and Small Cyclades Lines (checked 28–29 September 2026). Frequencies change by season.
| Route | Frequency | Crossing |
|---|---|---|
| Piraeus → Syros | daily (Blue Star) | from 3h 35m |
| Piraeus → Tinos | daily (Blue Star) | about 5h 20m |
| Rafina → Tinos (via Andros) | 1–2 a day winter; up to 3 a day 25 May–30 Sep | 3h 35m – 3h 50m |
| Lavrio → Kea | up to 2 a week | about 1h |
| Paros → Naxos | daily | about 50m |
| Naxos → Ios | up to 5 a week | about 1h 10m |
| Ios → Santorini | up to 5 a week | about 1h |
| Naxos → Santorini | daily | 2h – 2h 30m |
| Syros → Mykonos | daily | about 45m direct |
| Tinos → Mykonos | daily | about 40m |
| Serifos → Sifnos | 3–4 a week | about 50m |
| Sifnos → Milos | 3–4 a week | about 2h 10m |
| Naxos → Koufonisia | Mon–Sat, 14:00 | about 2h 35m |
Checked 2026-09-29 against: Blue Star Ferries destinations · Fast Ferries routes · Small Cyclades Lines routes and times · Hellenic Seaways destinations. Policies change; confirm with the operator before booking.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the ferry from Naxos to Santorini?
About 2 to 2½ hours on Blue Star’s conventional ferry, direct or via Ios, with daily sailings (September 2026).
Which Athens port is best for Mykonos?
Rafina is the port for the Rafina – Andros – Tinos – Mykonos line (Fast Ferries), with one to two sailings a day in winter and up to three a day from 25 May to 30 September.
How do I get to Koufonisia?
From Naxos on Small Cyclades Lines (14:00 Monday to Saturday, about 2 hours 35 minutes), or from Piraeus on Blue Star up to three times a week.