Mykonos New Port at Tourlos, about 2.5 km north of Mykonos Town, is the island’s main harbour, handling the big ferries to other islands and the cruise ships, with a sea bus, public buses and taxis linking it to town. This guide covers how to get to and from town, the facilities and tips for arrivals and departures.
The New Port is the gateway for most arrivals in the Mykonos travel guide, complementing the ferry guide. The sections below cover it in full.
What is the Mykonos New Port?
The Mykonos New Port, at Tourlos about 2.5 km north of Mykonos Town, is the island’s main harbour. It handles the large ferries to and from other Greek islands and the mainland, as well as cruise ships, with all the big vessels using it. It is separate from the small Old Port beside the town, which serves Delos boats and some smaller ferries.
The New Port of Mykonos, located in the area of Tourlos around 2.5 kilometres north of Mykonos Town, is the island’s main and busiest harbour, and the one most travellers use. It is a large working port that receives the big ferries connecting Mykonos to Athens (Piraeus and Rafina), to neighbouring Cycladic islands such as Paros, Naxos and Tinos, and to islands further afield, operated by companies including Blue Star Ferries, SeaJets, Fast Ferries, Golden Star Ferries and Hellenic Seaways. It also serves as the cruise port, where cruise ships dock or tender passengers ashore. It is important not to confuse it with the small Old Port, which sits right beside Mykonos Town and handles the excursion boats to Delos, the sea bus and some smaller local ferries; the big inter-island ferries use the New Port. Knowing which port your ferry or ship uses, almost always the New Port for major routes, is essential for planning your arrival and departure, set out alongside the guide to the Old Port. Getting to town is straightforward.
How do you get from the New Port to Mykonos Town?
From the New Port at Tourlos you can reach Mykonos Town by the sea bus water taxi to the Old Port beside town, by public bus to the Fabrika and Old Port stations, or by taxi in about 5 minutes. The sea bus and bus are cheap and frequent; taxis are scarce. Walking is possible but not advised with luggage.
Reaching Mykonos Town from the New Port is easy, with several options to suit your luggage and budget. The sea bus, a small water-taxi boat, is a scenic and convenient choice, running frequently from right by the port to the Old Port next to Mykonos Town in a few minutes, leaving as it fills up. The public KTEL bus is a cheap and reliable option, with routes connecting the New Port to the Fabrika bus station and the Old Port in Mykonos Town, and onward to the airport and beaches, costing only a few euros. Taxis are available and take just around five minutes to the centre, costing roughly 10 euros, but the island’s famous taxi shortage means the queue can be long when several ferries or a cruise ship arrive together, so do not rely on a quick cab. Many hotels and villas offer pre-arranged transfers, which are the easiest option with luggage. Walking is technically possible at around 30 minutes, but it follows a busy main road without a proper pavement, so it is not recommended, especially with bags. Choosing the sea bus, a bus or a booked transfer makes the trip simple, set out alongside the guides to the bus and the water taxi. The port has useful facilities.
What facilities does the New Port have?
The Mykonos New Port has a modern passenger terminal with ticket offices, cafes, a few shops, toilets, car and quad rental desks, taxi and bus stops, and parking. It handles ferry check-in and cruise arrivals, with transfer and tour operators present. Facilities are practical rather than extensive, so do your shopping and dining in town.
The New Port at Tourlos is a modern, functional harbour with the practical facilities travellers need, though it is a working port rather than a destination in itself. There is a passenger terminal building serving the ferries and cruise ships, with ferry company ticket offices and counters where you can collect or buy tickets, along with a cafe or two, a few shops and kiosks selling snacks, drinks and essentials, and toilets. Outside, you will find the sea bus dock, the bus stop, the taxi rank and car parking, plus desks and offices for car, quad and scooter rental and for transfer and excursion operators, making it easy to pick up a hire vehicle or meet a transfer on arrival. Cruise passengers are met by tour and shuttle services. The facilities are practical rather than extensive, so it is best to do any real shopping, dining or sightseeing in Mykonos Town rather than at the port. Arriving with your ferry ticket ready and knowing your onward transport makes passing through smooth, set out alongside the guide to car rental. A few tips ease arrivals and departures.
What tips help for using the New Port?
For the New Port, arrive at least 45 to 60 minutes before ferry departure as it gets busy, book tickets and transfers ahead in summer, use the sea bus or bus rather than relying on scarce taxis, and confirm whether your ferry uses the New or Old Port. Allow extra time when a cruise ship is in, as queues build.
A few practical tips make using the Mykonos New Port stress-free, especially in the busy summer. Arrive in good time for your ferry, at least 45 to 60 minutes before departure, as the port gets very busy in season with queues for boarding, ticket collection and security, and high-speed ferries board and leave promptly. Book your ferry tickets and any transfers in advance for the summer peak, when sailings sell out and demand for transport is high. For getting to and from town, rely on the frequent sea bus or the cheap public buses rather than the scarce taxis, which form long queues when several ferries or a cruise ship arrive at once; a pre-booked transfer is the easiest with luggage. Crucially, double-check whether your specific ferry departs from the New Port at Tourlos or the small Old Port by the town, as this varies and a mistake can mean missing the boat. Keep some time buffer when a cruise ship is in port, as the crowds and queues swell. With these precautions, the New Port is easy to navigate, set out alongside the guides to the airport and the cruise port. The questions below cover the points travellers ask most.
What is the difference between the New Port and Old Port?
The New Port at Tourlos, about 2.5 km north of town, is the large main harbour for the big inter-island ferries and cruise ships, while the small Old Port beside Mykonos Town handles the Delos excursion boats, the sea bus and some smaller local ferries. Always confirm which port your ferry or boat uses to avoid confusion.
Mykonos has two ports, and understanding the difference is essential to avoid the common mistake of going to the wrong one. The New Port, located in the Tourlos area around 2.5 kilometres north of Mykonos Town, is the island’s large, modern main harbour: this is where the big inter-island and mainland ferries dock, served by companies like Blue Star Ferries, SeaJets, Fast Ferries and Golden Star Ferries, and where cruise ships berth or tender passengers ashore, with a passenger terminal, ticket offices, parking, and bus, taxi and sea-bus connections. The Old Port, by contrast, is the small, picturesque harbour right beside Mykonos Town itself, within walking distance of the centre: it handles the excursion boats to the sacred island of Delos, the sea bus that shuttles between the two ports, and some smaller local ferries and water taxis, but not the big ferries. So if you are catching a major ferry to Athens or another island, or arriving by cruise ship, you will use the New Port, whereas the Delos boats and the sea bus run from the Old Port. Because a few smaller ferries can use either, always check your specific ticket and confirm the port in advance, set out alongside the guide to the Old Port. Cruise arrivals have their own considerations.
What should cruise passengers know about the New Port?
Cruise passengers arrive at the New Port at Tourlos, where ships dock or tender ashore, then reach Mykonos Town by the sea bus, a short bus or taxi ride, or an organised excursion. Taxis are scarce, so the sea bus or a tour is easiest. Allow time for queues, and book Delos trips and tours ahead.
For the many visitors who arrive in Mykonos by cruise ship, the New Port at Tourlos is the gateway, and a little knowledge makes the day smoother. Larger cruise ships dock at the New Port’s quay, while some anchor offshore and tender passengers ashore to the port; either way you arrive at Tourlos, about 2.5 kilometres north of Mykonos Town, not in the town itself. To reach the old town, the easiest options are the sea bus water taxi, which runs frequently from beside the port to the Old Port next to Chora in a few minutes, a short public bus ride to the Fabrika or Old Port stations, or an organised shore excursion that includes transport; taxis exist but are very scarce and form long queues when ships are in, so do not rely on them. Many cruisers pre-book excursions such as a Delos archaeological tour, a beach trip or a Mykonos Town walking tour, which is wise given limited time and transport. Allow buffer time for queues at the sea bus and buses, especially when multiple ships are in port, and note your ship’s last tender or boarding time carefully. With the sea bus or a booked tour, cruise passengers can easily enjoy the windmills, Little Venice and the town, set out alongside the guide to the cruise port. The questions below cover the points travellers ask most.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Mykonos New Port?
The Mykonos New Port is at Tourlos, about 2.5 km north of Mykonos Town. It is the island’s main harbour, handling the large ferries to other Greek islands and the mainland, as well as cruise ships. It is separate from the small Old Port beside the town, which serves Delos boats, the sea bus and some smaller ferries.
How do you get from the New Port to Mykonos Town?
From the New Port at Tourlos you can reach Mykonos Town by the sea bus water taxi to the Old Port beside town, by public bus to the Fabrika and Old Port stations, or by taxi in about 5 minutes. The sea bus and bus are cheap and frequent, while taxis are scarce, so a booked transfer is easiest with luggage.
Do big ferries use the New Port or Old Port in Mykonos?
The big inter-island and mainland ferries, plus cruise ships, use the New Port at Tourlos, while the small Old Port beside Mykonos Town serves the Delos excursion boats, the sea bus and some smaller local ferries. Always confirm which port your specific ferry uses, as it varies, to avoid missing your boat.