Getting from Mykonos to Ios is easy by ferry, a crossing of around 1.5 to 2 hours from Mykonos New Port at Tourlos to the port of Ios near Chora, run by SeaJets, Golden Star and other operators. This guide covers the ferry times, the prices, the ports, the operators, booking and why to visit the young party island of Ios.
Ios is a popular island hop from the Mykonos travel guide, pairing with the Mykonos vs Ios guide. The sections below cover the journey in full.
How long does the Mykonos to Ios ferry take?
The Mykonos to Ios ferry runs roughly 1 hour 15 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the operator and on any stops at islands such as Naxos or Paros. The fastest direct boats reach Ios in about 1 hour 25 minutes, with an average of around 2 hours, making it a manageable island hop.
The crossing from Mykonos to Ios is a moderate island hop, longer than the very short trips to nearby Tinos or Naxos but still manageable in a couple of hours. The journey usually runs between roughly an hour and a quarter and two hours, depending on the operator and on whether the boat is a direct service or one that calls at intermediate islands such as Naxos or Paros along the way, which lengthens the trip. The fastest direct high-speed boats can reach Ios in about 1 hour 25 minutes, while the average crossing, including stops, is around 2 hours. Ios lies further south than Naxos and Paros in the central Cyclades, which accounts for the slightly longer journey. The route is well served in summer, so you can usually find a convenient departure, and it connects on to Santorini further south. For those wanting to combine the glamour of Mykonos with the youthful party scene of Ios, the ferry makes it straightforward, set out alongside the guides to Mykonos to Naxos and day trips. Several operators run the route.
Which ferries run from Mykonos to Ios?
The Mykonos to Ios route is served by several operators, including SeaJets, Golden Star Ferries and others, running year-round with around 19 weekly sailings in season. Most are high-speed catamarans, with some calling at intermediate islands. SeaJets offers the most frequent service, so there is good choice in summer.
A good range of ferry operators serves the Mykonos to Ios route, giving decent frequency, especially in summer. The route is provided by several companies, including SeaJets, which offers the most frequent service with the largest number of weekly sailings, Golden Star Ferries, Cyclades Fast Ferries and others, and it runs year-round, with around 19 weekly sailings during the season so you can usually find a suitable departure. Most of the boats are high-speed catamarans designed for quick island hopping, covering the route in the fastest times, while some services call at intermediate islands such as Naxos and Paros along the way, which adds time but lets you see more. Because the route also continues on to Santorini, it is a natural part of a southern Cyclades island-hopping itinerary. Frequency is higher in the peak summer months and drops in the shoulder and off-season, so checking the current schedule is wise. With several operators and frequent summer sailings, planning the trip is easy, set out alongside the guide to the ports. The fares vary by boat and season.
How much does the Mykonos to Ios ferry cost?
The Mykonos to Ios ferry costs from around 36 euros for a standard one-way ticket, rising to around 80 euros for premium seats, with prices varying by operator, boat speed and season. Booking in advance secures the best fares, as prices rise closer to departure, especially in peak summer.
The fare for the hop to Ios is moderate and varies with the operator, the speed of the boat, the seat class and the season. A standard economy one-way ticket typically starts from around 36 euros, with prices rising to around 70 to 80 euros for premium or business-lounge seats and on the fastest services, and higher again in the peak of July and August. Booking in advance matters on this route, as fares usually rise as the departure date approaches, so reserving early can secure the cheapest tickets, sometimes from around 80 dollars when booked well ahead. Because the crossing is a couple of hours, the boats offer comfortable seating, lounges and open decks, but no cabins on this relatively short route. Comparing operators and classes, and booking early, lets you balance speed, comfort and cost. Reserving ahead is especially wise in summer, when popular departures sell out, set out alongside the guide to Mykonos on a budget. The ports are easy to use.
Which ports do the ferries use?
Ferries to Ios leave from Mykonos New Port at Tourlos, about 2 km north of Mykonos Town, not the Old Port. They arrive at the port of Ios on the west coast, just 2 km from Chora, the main town, an easy 5-minute drive or 20-minute walk. Arrive at Mykonos New Port about 45 minutes before departure.
Knowing the ports keeps travel day simple. Departures from Mykonos leave from the New Port at Tourlos, the modern port about 2 kilometres north of Mykonos Town where the big ferries and cruise ships dock, rather than the small Old Port beside the town, so head to the correct port. As the port gets busy in summer, arrive about 45 minutes before departure to allow for the crowds and boarding. On arrival, the ferries dock at the port of Ios on the west coast of the island, which is conveniently just 2 kilometres from Chora, the main town and the heart of the island’s famous nightlife; the port is an easy 5-minute drive or about a 20-minute walk from the centre, with buses and taxis available. This means reaching Ios town from the ferry is quick and simple. Planning the correct port and arrival time makes the journey smooth, set out alongside the guide to Mykonos to Santorini. Ios offers a different experience.
Why visit Ios from Mykonos?
Ios is worth visiting from Mykonos for its beautiful beaches like Mylopotas, its pretty hilltop Chora, and its famous young, budget-friendly party scene, a wilder, cheaper alternative to Mykonos. The ferry makes it an easy stop for those island-hopping the Cyclades, especially younger travellers and backpackers.
Ios makes a rewarding and contrasting addition to a Mykonos trip, offering a different, more youthful and affordable take on the Cyclades party island. While Mykonos is glamorous, upscale and cosmopolitan, Ios is younger, cheaper and wilder, long beloved of backpackers, students and twenty-somethings for its legendary, raucous nightlife concentrated in its compact, pretty hilltop town, the Chora, where dozens of bars and clubs sit close together for cheap drinks and dancing until dawn. Beyond the party scene, Ios has genuinely beautiful beaches, above all the long sandy sweep of Mylopotas with its beach bars and watersports, plus quieter coves, and the charming whitewashed Chora is lovely to explore, with windmills and sunset views. For younger travellers and those island-hopping the southern Cyclades, often combining Ios with Santorini, it is an easy and fun stop, while it suits the budget and party-minded more than those seeking Mykonos-style luxury. The straightforward ferry makes adding Ios simple, set out alongside the guides to Mykonos vs Ios and a Mykonos itinerary. The questions below cover the points travellers ask most.
Can you do Ios as a day trip from Mykonos?
Ios is possible but not ideal as a day trip from Mykonos, given the 1.5 to 2 hour crossing each way. An overnight stay of one or two nights is far better, letting you enjoy the Mylopotas beach by day and the famous nightlife by night. Ios works best as a stop on a longer island-hopping route.
While you can technically visit Ios as a day trip from Mykonos, it is not the most rewarding way to experience the island, and an overnight stay is much better. The crossing takes around 1.5 to 2 hours each way, so a day trip would mean three to four hours of travel for only a few hours on Ios, and you would miss the island’s main draw, its legendary nightlife, which only comes alive after dark. Ios is fundamentally a young party island whose appeal lies in combining beautiful beach days, above all at the long sandy Mylopotas, with wild, late nights in the compact hilltop Chora, so spending at least one or two nights lets you enjoy both sides properly, sunbathing and swimming by day and joining the bar scene by night. For this reason, Ios works best not as a quick day trip but as a stop of a night or two on a longer southern-Cyclades island-hopping route, often combined with Santorini further south. If you only have a day, the nearer islands of Tinos, Naxos or Syros make far better day trips from Mykonos, while Ios rewards an overnight visit, set out alongside the guides to Mykonos vs Ios and day trips. So while a day trip is technically possible, planning at least one or two nights on Ios lets you experience both its beautiful beaches by day and its famous, after-dark party scene, making for a far more rewarding visit to this lively, youthful island. Treating it as an overnight stop rather than a rushed day trip is the key to enjoying everything the lively island has to offer, from its beautiful Mylopotas beach by day to its legendary, late-running nightlife after dark in the lively hilltop town. Ios is best enjoyed overnight.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the Mykonos to Ios ferry take?
The Mykonos to Ios ferry runs roughly 1 hour 15 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the operator and on any stops at islands such as Naxos or Paros. The fastest direct boats reach Ios in about 1 hour 25 minutes, with an average of around 2 hours, making it a manageable island hop.
How much does the Mykonos to Ios ferry cost?
The Mykonos to Ios ferry costs from around 36 euros for a standard one-way ticket, rising to around 80 euros for premium seats, with prices varying by operator, boat speed and season. Booking in advance secures the best fares, as prices rise closer to departure, especially in peak summer.
Which port does the Ios ferry leave from in Mykonos?
Ferries to Ios leave from Mykonos New Port at Tourlos, about 2 km north of town, not the Old Port. They arrive at the port of Ios on the west coast, just 2 km from Chora, an easy 5-minute drive or 20-minute walk. Arrive at Mykonos New Port about 45 minutes before departure.