Greek Island Hopping From Athens
Before I experienced Greek island hopping from Athens, I thought it would be a highly expensive and inaccessible vacation option, along the lines of sailing or chartering your own personal yacht. Unfortunately, most of us don’t have that kind of budget.
But in reality, there is a huge island-hopping scene surrounding the capital city, with a plethora of options when it comes to trip length, locations, and prices. During my recent adventure from Athens to Santorini, Naxos, and Paros, I was able to learn about the routine of traveling between the Cyclades islands, as well as the many other options available to visitors in Greece.
Note: You can also island hop within the Dodecanese islands (Rhodes, etc.) and the Ionian islands (Corfu, etc.), but the Cyclades islands are the most popular and have the best ferry schedules.
And if you’d rather leave the planning to someone else, why not book a trip with Exodus Adventure Travels like I did? I went on one of their easier hiking trips and got to see so much of this region of Greece that I wouldn’t have otherwise.
This was my second trip with Exodus, with Italy being the first. Check out my article about things to do in Sicily and famous foods in Sicily to see more about that trip.
Best times to Island Hop
The beautiful waters of the Aegean Sea are warmest in the summer, but that doesn’t mean that’s the best time to travel. From June to August, you’ll find peak crowds, high temperatures and more expensive prices for ferries and accommodations on land.
It’s recommended that you visit during shoulder season instead, including springtime in April and May, and the months of September to October before winter hits. That way, you can skip the holidaying crowds in Greece’s ports of call and still enjoy the beautiful beaches and ocean views.
It may seem obvious, but it’s not a good idea to island-hop in the winter. While crowds will certainly be at their lowest, most ferries, restaurants, and hotels close as soon as the weather gets cold.
About Ferries & Ferry Options
Before you choose a vessel for your island adventure, you should know the difference between “fast” and “slow” ferries. Especially if you’re crunched for time, you’ll need to plan accordingly.
Slow Ferries
Slow ferry services offer more space to move around, better comfort, and more amenities, usually for a lower price. Some even include restaurants, and plenty of room on deck to see the gorgeous views.
As a day trip between islands on a slow ferry can stretch as long as 7-9 hours, it’s good to have those options and be comfortable.
Fast Ferries
In contrast, the same trip could be completed in 3-5 hours on a fast ferry or speedboat. But fast ferries are not without their downsides– a smaller vessel means less room to move around, fewer amenities, and a choppier ride.
Since they’re much smaller than slower conventional ferries, they’re also more prone to delays due to weather, and definitely aren’t recommended for those who easily get seasick. That’s not a fun way to begin any trip.
Ticket Classes
Ferry tickets also come in many different classes, depending on the vessel. Cheaper or “default” tickets may land you in a crowded lounge on high-speed ferries, while that same type of ticket on slower ferries may allow you to move between the interior and the deck, but may not include reserved seating.
If you choose to opt for a more expensive ticket, your options will include a variety of seating, with VIP tickets sometimes including private cabins with bathrooms and other amenities. Everyone has priorities as far as budget, convenience, and comfort needs, so take your time to shop around to find an option that works for you.
Book in Advance
As always, booking as far ahead as you can is definitely recommended. It’s also extremely important to know the exact destination of your ferry before boarding! Ports can be chaotic, especially at Piraeus Port, which is the main port in Athens. It’s enormous and difficult to navigate during high season.
Know Your Stop
Knowing where your ferry is stopping may seem obvious, but the two biggest ports in the area, Piraeus and Rafina, are on completely opposite sides of Athens. You really don’t want to make that mistake! Plan accordingly so you can spend as little time navigating or traveling on foot as you can.
Conventional Ferry Ride Through the Cyclades
During my trip, we took a Blue Star Conventional Ferry, a one-way trip that lasted around 9 hours. Despite the lengthy voyage, I was pleasantly surprised by the experience.
Food Options on the Ferry
Our food options were a wonderful coffee shop with sweet and savory pastry options and a fast-food restaurant. The food at the coffee shop was really delicious, with many traditional Greek options and specialty coffees. The fast food option was the typical burgers and fries.
Other Amenities
We also had affordable Wi-Fi, so I was able to get a lot of work done while en route to Santorini. One of the best things about conventional Blue Star ferries is that they also offer organized kennels for pets, and garages if you’d like to bring your vehicle with you.
Ferry Stops
We made stops at Tinos, Mykonos, Paros, and Santorini– all within the Cyclades, a popular archipelago in the Aegean Sea. Santorini is one of the most popular islands, as well as the focus of many ferry routes from the port of Piraeus.
Due to the close proximity of the Cycladic islands, traveling between them is relatively easy, making it perfect for an island-hopping experience. There are many smaller, lesser-known islands between Athens and Santorini, and stops will vary by ferry.
Riding First Class
When we booked another slow ferry for the trip back to Athens, we chose to ride in first class to compare the two experiences. The first thing we realized was that the ferry ended up being extremely crowded this time around, so we were really glad we’d chosen a pricier ticket.
We were given access to less crowded areas of the ferry, as well as a dedicated waiter to bring us beverages while we enjoyed the ride. It was definitely a better experience if you can afford to spend a bit more on traveling.
Helpful Websites and Apps
When booking your ferry, there are a handful of websites and apps that can make the experience more convenient. A popular option is Ferryhopper. The companion app allows you to track your vessel, view your e-tickets, and more. You can also use booking websites like Ferries.gr and Greekferries.gr to help you find your ideal route.
If you’d like your trip through the Aegean Sea to be planned for you, Exodus Adventure Travels has nine different trips in Greece. I chose the Walking the Greek Islands itinerary. There are also less active trips like Highlights of Ancient Greece, or more active trips like cycling adventures. There really is a group trip for everyone. Take a look at their Greece options and start planning!
Island Hopping Tips
- I recommend staying on each island for at least a day or two. Travel times can be lengthy, especially if you opt to board a slower ferry, so staying on an island for longer can help you make the most of your vacation time. The last thing you want is to spend a full day on a ferry, and then not have enough time to really appreciate the islands of the Cyclades.
- IMPORTANT: I know you want to wear all the outfits in Greece, but especially if you are island-hopping, narrow it down to enough for a carry on bag. It’s such a hassle to bring a big suitcase and you’ll be glad you didn’t in the long run. Use my packing list and pick up the suitcase I use.
- If you’re not part of a tour and/or your transportation isn’t provided, most large islands have comprehensive bus networks, as well as rental cars, mopeds, motorbikes, and taxis. Look to local rental car firms for the best prices, and be aware that parking and traffic on popular islands will be more intense during the summer. Or book with Exodus and don’t worry about it!
- It’s important to remember that ferry schedules are subject to change, depending on local events and weather. Do your research to see if your travel dates coincide with local festivals such as Panigyria, and account for a little flexibility in your itinerary in case things change.
Whether you’d rather take a speedboat between the islands or take it slow, island-hopping is a surprisingly accessible mode of travel. If you’re looking to see spectacular views, sandy beaches, and ancient ruins of Greece, island-hopping is a great way to do it.
FAQs
Though Santorini is really beautiful, in my opinion, Naxos is the best island to visit for sightseeing.
My trip with Exodus Adventure Travels took me from Athens to Santorini, Oia, Naxos, and Paros, over about a week. It was an incredible experience.
There is not a ferry from Corfu to Santorini. People don’t realize how far it is between the two. You would have to fly to Corfu as it’s part of another group of islands called the Ionian Islands.
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