The Andros to Tinos ferry is a short, frequent hop on the busy Rafina line, taking 55 minutes to 1 hour 35 and running up to nine times a day in summer for about €8 to €31. The two islands sit next to each other, so the crossing makes an easy link for island-hopping. This guide covers the ferry times, prices, operators and how to plan the trip.
The route is one of the main links to the island, set out among the connections in the guide to how to get to Tinos. Andros lies directly north on the Rafina–Andros–Tinos–Mykonos axis. The sections below cover the crossing in detail and how to use it.
How long is the crossing?
The crossing takes about 55 minutes on a high-speed catamaran and around 1 hour 35 on a conventional ferry. The two islands sit side by side on the same line, so even the slower boat reaches the island in well under two hours.
The journey is short whichever boat you take. Seajets high-speed catamarans cover the channel in roughly 55 minutes, while the conventional Fast Ferries and Golden Star boats take about 1 hour 35 and ride the summer meltemi more steadily. Andros is the next island north, so the two ports lie close together. The brief, regular sailing makes Tinos an easy onward step from Andros, or a calm base reached from the mainland through Andros. Knowing the timetable helps with planning.
What is the ferry schedule?
Ferries run up to nine times a day in summer, with departures spread from about 07:00 to 20:15. The frequency drops to one or two crossings a day in winter, when most of the high-speed boats stop running.
The timetable is dense in the high season. From June to September a mix of high-speed and conventional boats offers as many as nine departures a day, clustered through the morning and evening, which supports a same-day connection. The first boat leaves Andros around 07:00 and the last about 20:15. From late autumn the catamarans withdraw and the conventional ferries continue once or twice daily. Schedules shift week to week, so confirming the exact time a day or two before sailing is wise. Sailings fill quickly around the August 15 pilgrimage. Fares stay modest for the short hop.
How much does the trip cost?
A standard seat costs about €8 to €31 each way, with the high-speed catamarans at the higher end and the conventional ferries cheaper. Vehicles cost more, averaging around €34, and children and students receive reduced fares with most operators.
The short crossing is inexpensive. A foot-passenger seat runs from roughly €8 on a conventional boat to about €31 on a fast catamaran, while taking a car across averages near €34. The low fare makes a two-island split between Andros and Tinos easy and affordable. Children, students and residents qualify for discounts with most companies. Booking early secures both the lowest price and a guaranteed place in the busy summer months. A few operators share the route.
Which companies run the route?
Fast Ferries, Golden Star Ferries and Seajets run the route, with both conventional and high-speed vessels. The crossing forms part of the busy Rafina–Andros–Tinos–Mykonos line across the northern Cyclades.
Several operators share the channel. Fast Ferries and Golden Star Ferries run conventional and high-speed boats on the Rafina–Andros–Tinos–Mykonos axis, while Seajets adds fast catamaran services in peak season. The dense schedule comes from these companies combining their departures. A single ticket often allows island-hopping along the line, south to Mykonos or north to the mainland at Rafina. Comparing operators on a booking platform shows the fastest and cheapest option for a date. The ports themselves are simple to use.
Where do the ferries depart and arrive?
Boats leave from Gavrio, the main port of Andros on its west coast, and arrive at Tinos port in the heart of Tinos Town. Both ports sit close to their island’s services, so no long transfer is needed at either end.
The ports are conveniently placed at each end. Ferries depart from Gavrio on the west coast of Andros, the island’s main harbour, reached by bus or taxi from the Andros villages. On arrival, Tinos port lies right in the centre of Tinos Town, so the pilgrimage church, the old town and the tavernas are all within a short walk, with no onward transfer. This central docking makes a day or a transfer efficient, a pattern the guide to how to get to Tinos describes. The arrival sets up the rest of a visit.
What can you do on arrival in Tinos?
On arrival, you can visit the Church of Panagia Evangelistria, explore the marble lanes of Tinos Town, and head out to the villages and beaches. The central port puts the island’s main sights within easy reach of the dock.
The crossing lands you in the middle of everything. From the port it is a short uphill walk to the great pilgrimage church, and the old town’s marble-paved lanes and tavernas spread out from the waterfront. Buses and rental cars reach the marble village of Pyrgos, the sandy beaches and the scenic west-coast villages within the hour, all covered in the guide to things to do in Tinos. A short stay or a day trip both work well from this central arrival. The questions below cover the points travellers ask most.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the crossing from Andros to Tinos take?
The crossing takes about 55 minutes on a high-speed catamaran and around 1 hour 35 on a conventional ferry. The two islands sit next to each other on the Rafina line, so even the slower boat arrives in well under two hours.
How much is this crossing?
A standard seat costs about €8 to €31 each way, with high-speed catamarans at the higher end and conventional ferries cheaper. Taking a car across averages near €34, and children and students receive discounts with most operators.
How often does the ferry run?
The ferry runs up to nine times a day in summer, with departures spread from about 07:00 to 20:15. The frequency drops to one or two crossings a day in winter, when most of the high-speed boats stop running.
Where does the boat from Andros arrive on Tinos?
The boat arrives at Tinos port in the centre of Tinos Town, leaving from Gavrio on Andros. Both ports sit close to their island’s services, so the church, the old town and the tavernas are a short walk from the Tinos dock.