Getting from Athens to Mykonos is easy by ferry from Piraeus or Rafina, or by a quick 40-minute flight, with the famous Cycladic island reachable in a few hours. Plan your island trip alongside skip-the-line tickets and tours from My Greece Tours for a smooth journey to the heart of the Cyclades.
This island-transfer guide is part of the Athens travel guide. The sections below cover the options at a glance, the ferry from Piraeus, the ferry from Rafina, which port to use, the flight option, ferry versus flight, and tips.
What are the options from Athens to Mykonos?
There are two ways from Athens to Mykonos: by ferry or by plane. Ferries sail from the port of Piraeus (around 3 to 5 hours) or the closer port of Rafina (around 2 to 4 hours), with high-speed and conventional vessels, costing roughly €30 to €90. Flights from Athens airport take just 40 minutes and cost around €60 to €150 or more. The choice depends on your budget, time, where you are starting from, and whether you prefer the scenic sea crossing or speed.
Reaching the glamorous Cycladic island of Mykonos from Athens is straightforward, with two main options, the ferry and the flight, each suited to different travellers. Ferries are the classic and scenic choice, sailing to Mykonos from two different Athens ports: the main port of Piraeus, southwest of the city, and the smaller port of Rafina, on the east coast of Attica close to the airport. Ferry crossings range from speedy high-speed catamarans to slower, larger conventional ferries, with journey times from roughly two to five hours depending on the port and vessel, and fares typically between thirty and ninety euros.
The alternative is to fly, with frequent flights from Athens International Airport covering the distance in a mere forty minutes, costing around sixty to a hundred and fifty euros or more depending on demand and season. The best choice depends on your priorities: budget, available time, whether you are coming from central Athens or the airport, and whether you relish the romance of the open-sea crossing or simply want to arrive as fast as possible. Understanding each option helps you decide. The Piraeus ferry is the most common starting point.
What is the ferry from Piraeus like?
Ferries from Piraeus, the main port of Athens, to Mykonos run daily year-round, taking around 3 hours on a high-speed ferry or up to 5 hours on a conventional vessel, with operators like Blue Star and SeaJets. Piraeus is best if you are staying in central Athens, as it is easily reached by metro line 1 or 3 in 20 to 30 minutes. The big conventional ferries are cheaper, more stable and have open decks, while high-speed boats are faster but more enclosed.
The most common way to sail to Mykonos is from the great port of Piraeus, the main maritime gateway of Athens, from which ferries depart daily throughout the year. The crossing time varies with the type of vessel: the fast high-speed ferries and catamarans make the journey in around three hours, while the larger, slower conventional car ferries take up to about five hours, with major operators such as Blue Star Ferries and SeaJets serving the route. Piraeus is the ideal choice if you are based in central Athens the night before, since the port is easily and cheaply reached from the city centre in around twenty to thirty minutes on the metro, via line 1 or the line 3 extension.
When choosing a vessel, weigh speed against comfort: the big conventional ferries are slower but cheaper, noticeably more stable in rough seas, and far more pleasant if you enjoy strolling the open decks and having room to move, whereas the high-speed boats save time but are bumpier and more enclosed. For many, the conventional ferry from Piraeus is a relaxed, scenic and affordable way to reach the island. The other port, Rafina, offers a faster crossing.
What is the ferry from Rafina like?
Ferries from Rafina, the smaller second port of Athens, reach Mykonos faster, in around 2 to 4 hours, because Rafina is closer to the Cyclades. Several fast-ferry companies run multiple daily sailings in summer. Rafina is best if you are arriving at Athens airport, as it sits only about a 20 to 30 minute taxi or bus hop away, versus 60 to 90 minutes to Piraeus, saving time and avoiding city traffic. The port is small and easy to navigate.
An excellent and often quicker alternative for reaching Mykonos is to sail from Rafina, the second port of Athens, located on the eastern coast of Attica. Because Rafina is physically closer to the northern Cyclades than Piraeus, the crossing to Mykonos is shorter, typically taking around two to four hours depending on the vessel, with several fast-ferry companies running multiple daily departures during the busy summer season. The decisive advantage of Rafina lies in its location relative to the airport: it is only around twenty to thirty minutes from the airport by taxi or bus, compared with the sixty to ninety minutes it takes to reach Piraeus across the city, so by sailing from Rafina, travellers arriving by air can save well over an hour and avoid sitting in city traffic.
Rafina is also a small, relaxed and easy-to-navigate port with a single compact terminal area and none of the sprawling gates of Piraeus, making finding your ferry simple. For those landing at the airport and heading straight to Mykonos, Rafina is usually the smarter choice. Knowing which port suits you is key.
Which port should you use, Piraeus or Rafina?
Pick Piraeus if you are based in central Athens, as it is easily reached by metro and offers the widest choice of ferries. Use Rafina if you are arriving at or flying out of Athens airport, since it is far closer to the airport and the crossing to Mykonos is shorter. In short, match the port to where you are: Piraeus for the city centre, Rafina for the airport. Both serve Mykonos well, so your starting point is the deciding factor.
A common dilemma for travellers is whether to sail to Mykonos from Piraeus or Rafina, and the answer comes down chiefly to where you are starting your journey. Choose Piraeus if you are spending time in central Athens before heading to the island, because the great main port is quickly and cheaply connected to the city centre by the metro, and it offers the widest selection of ferry departures and operators throughout the day. Choose Rafina, on the other hand, if your Mykonos trip begins or ends at Athens International Airport, since Rafina lies only a short hop from the airport while Piraeus is right across the city, so sailing from Rafina spares you a long, traffic-prone transfer and gives you a shorter, faster crossing to boot.
The simple rule is to match the port to your location: the city centre points you to Piraeus, the airport points you to Rafina. Both ports serve Mykonos reliably and frequently, so neither is wrong; your own starting point is the deciding factor that makes one clearly more convenient than the other. With the right port chosen, the ferry is easy. For the fastest journey, however, flying wins.
What is the flight option like?
Flying from Athens to Mykonos takes just 40 minutes, with frequent daily flights, over 15 a day in summer, by Aegean, Olympic, Sky Express and others. Fares range from around €60 to €150 or more, often costing more than the ferry but saving time. However, once you add travel to the airport, check-in and security, the time saved over a high-speed ferry is smaller than it seems. Flying suits those short on time or prone to seasickness.
For travellers who value speed above all, flying from Athens to Mykonos is the quickest option, with the actual flight taking a mere forty minutes from Athens International Airport. The route is very well served, especially in summer when there can be over fifteen flights a day operated by carriers such as Aegean and its partner Olympic Air, Sky Express and seasonal airlines, giving plenty of flexibility. Fares vary widely with demand and how far ahead you book, generally ranging from around sixty euros to a hundred and fifty euros or more one way, so flying often costs more than the ferry, particularly in peak season.
It is worth bearing in mind, however, that the headline forty-minute flight time is deceptive: once you factor in getting to and from the airports at both ends, checking in, passing through security and waiting to board and collect luggage, the real door-to-door time saving over a fast ferry, especially one from nearby Rafina, is smaller than it first appears. Flying nonetheless makes good sense for those who are short on time, who want to minimise the journey, or who are prone to seasickness. Weighing ferry against flight clarifies the choice.
Should you take the ferry or fly, and what tips help?
Take the ferry for the scenic, affordable and atmospheric journey, ideal in good weather and for soaking up the Aegean; fly to save time, especially if coming from the airport and short on days. Book ferries and flights well ahead for summer, as both sell out. Choose Rafina from the airport, Piraeus from the city, and a cabin or reserved seat on longer ferries. Check the weather, as ferries can be delayed by strong winds.
Deciding between the ferry and the flight to Mykonos comes down to your priorities and circumstances. The ferry is the more scenic, atmospheric and generally more affordable option, offering the romance of an Aegean sea crossing with views of the islands, fresh air on deck and a sense of arrival as Mykonos appears on the horizon, and it is especially pleasant in calm summer weather; it also avoids the hassle of airports. Flying, by contrast, is the way to go when time is tight, when you have only a few days, or when you are travelling to or from the airport and want to minimise the transfer. Whichever you choose, a few tips help: book your ferry tickets or flights well in advance for the busy summer months, as both sell out, and reserve a seat or, on longer crossings, a cabin for comfort.
Remember to match your ferry port to your location, Rafina from the airport and Piraeus from the city, and to keep an eye on the weather forecast, as ferries, particularly the fast ones, can be delayed or cancelled in strong Aegean winds. With a little planning, the trip to Mykonos is smooth and enjoyable. The ports are detailed in the Piraeus port guide. The questions below cover the points visitors ask most.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Athens to Mykonos ferry?
The ferry from Athens to Mykonos takes around 3 to 5 hours from the port of Piraeus, depending on whether you take a high-speed or conventional vessel, or around 2 to 4 hours from the closer port of Rafina. Fares typically range from €30 to €90. Piraeus suits those staying in central Athens, while Rafina is better and faster if you are arriving at the airport.
Should you fly or sail from Athens to Mykonos?
The ferry is the more scenic and affordable choice, ideal for soaking up the Aegean in good weather, while flying, at just 40 minutes, saves time and suits those with few days or prone to seasickness. Once airport transfers, check-in and security are added, the time saved by flying over a fast ferry is smaller than it seems. Your budget and schedule decide.
Should you go to Mykonos from Piraeus or Rafina?
Choose Piraeus if you are based in central Athens, as it is easily reached by metro and offers the most ferry choices. Use Rafina if you are arriving at or flying from Athens airport, since it is far closer to the airport, about 20 to 30 minutes away, and the crossing to Mykonos is shorter. Match the port to your starting point: city centre to Piraeus, airport to Rafina.