You get to Mykonos by flying into its airport from Athens and across Europe, or by ferry from the Athens ports of Piraeus and Rafina, with the crossing taking around 2.5 to 5 hours. This guide covers the flights, the ferries, the ports, getting from Athens airport, the transfers to your hotel, the island ferry connections and how to get around Mykonos.
Mykonos is one of the most accessible Cyclades islands, the starting point of any Mykonos travel guide. The sections below cover getting there and around in full.
How do you get to Mykonos?
You get to Mykonos by air or sea. The island has its own airport with frequent flights from Athens, about 40 minutes, and seasonal direct flights from across Europe, or you can take a ferry from the Athens ports of Piraeus and Rafina, taking around 2.5 to 5 hours. Flying is fastest; the ferry is scenic.
Mykonos is easy to reach by both plane and ferry, and which you choose depends on your time, budget and plans. It has its own national airport just a few kilometres from Mykonos Town, served by frequent year-round flights from Athens, taking about 40 minutes, and by many seasonal direct flights from across Europe in the summer. Alternatively, ferries connect the island with the two main Athens ports, Piraeus and Rafina, as well as with other Cyclades islands, with the crossing from Athens taking roughly two and a half to nearly six hours depending on the boat. Flying is the quickest and easiest option, especially for a short stay, while the ferry is more scenic, often cheaper, and links beautifully with island-hopping itineraries. Many visitors fly in and ferry out, or vice versa, set within the wider things to do in Mykonos. Flights are frequent.
What are the flights to Mykonos?
Flights to Mykonos land at the island’s airport, with very frequent flights from Athens, about 40 minutes, operated by Aegean, Sky Express and others, plus many seasonal direct flights from European cities in summer. Outside summer, most international travellers connect through Athens for the short domestic hop.
Flying is the fastest way to reach the island. Mykonos airport, a short ride from Chora, handles frequent domestic flights from Athens all year, a quick 40-minute hop flown by Aegean, Sky Express and others, giving plenty of choice through the day and easy connections from international flights into Athens. In the summer season, from around April or May to October, a wide network of seasonal direct flights links Mykonos with cities across Europe, including the UK, Germany, Italy, France and beyond, flown by both full-service and low-cost airlines, so many visitors can skip Athens entirely. Outside the summer months these direct routes largely stop, so off-season travellers usually fly into well-connected Athens and take the short domestic flight on to Mykonos. Fares rise sharply in peak July and August, so book ahead for the best prices, set out alongside the guide to the best time to visit Mykonos. The ferry is a scenic alternative.
How do the ferries to Mykonos work?
Ferries to Mykonos leave from the Athens ports of Piraeus and Rafina, taking around 2.5 to 5 hours by high-speed or conventional boat, operated by SeaJets, Blue Star and Golden Star Ferries. If flying into Athens airport, Rafina is closer, just 10 kilometres away. Ferries arrive at the new port of Tourlos, near Mykonos Town.
The ferry is a popular and scenic way to reach Mykonos, especially for island-hoppers and those wanting to save on flights. Boats depart from both main Athens ports: Piraeus, the largest, near central Athens, and Rafina, which is much closer to Athens airport at just 10 kilometres away, making it the better choice if you fly into Athens and head straight for a ferry. The crossing takes anywhere from about 2 hours 40 minutes on a fast catamaran to nearly six hours on a slower conventional ferry, run by operators such as SeaJets, Blue Star Ferries and Golden Star Ferries, with fares from around 40 to 60 euros and up, rising in peak summer. High-speed boats are quicker but more affected by the meltemi wind, which can cause delays. Ferries dock at the new port of Tourlos, about 2.5 kilometres from Chora and 4 from the airport, easily reached by local bus or taxi, set out alongside the guides to ferries from Santorini and other islands. Getting from Athens airport takes a step.
How do you get from Athens airport to the ports?
From Athens airport, the closest ferry port is Rafina, about 10 kilometres away, reached by a 30-minute airport bus or a 20-minute taxi for around 35 to 50 euros. For Piraeus, the larger port, take the 24-hour X96 express bus or a taxi, taking 60 to 90 minutes depending on traffic, so allow plenty of time.
If you fly into Athens and plan to ferry on to Mykonos, knowing the port connections saves stress. Rafina is the handier port for the airport, only about 10 kilometres away: there is a regular airport bus that reaches it in around 30 minutes, or a taxi takes just 20 minutes for roughly 35 to 50 euros depending on the time and traffic. Piraeus, the bigger and busier port, is further from the airport, reached by the 24-hour X96 express bus, which has luggage space and runs every half-hour but takes 60 to 90 minutes, or by taxi for a higher fare. Whichever port your ferry leaves from, allow generous time for the transfer, traffic and check-in, ideally not cutting it close on the same day as a long-haul arrival, and double-check which port your specific boat departs from when booking, set out alongside the guide to a Mykonos itinerary. Arriving on the island is easy.
How do you get from the airport or port to your hotel?
Mykonos airport is about 4 kilometres from Mykonos Town and the new port at Tourlos about 2.5 kilometres, both reached by local bus, by taxi, which is scarce and pricey, or by a pre-booked transfer or hotel shuttle. For a smooth, hassle-free arrival, especially with luggage, a pre-arranged transfer is well worth it.
Getting from the airport or ferry port to your accommodation is quick, as the island is small, but it pays to plan because Mykonos taxis are famously few. The airport sits only about 4 kilometres from Mykonos Town, and the new ferry port at Tourlos about 2.5 kilometres, so journeys are short. Local KTEL buses connect both the airport and the port with the town terminals cheaply, a good budget option, while taxis are available but scarce and can mean a wait and a relatively high fare, particularly at peak arrival times. For the smoothest arrival, especially late at night, with heavy luggage or a family, a pre-booked private transfer or a hotel shuttle, which many hotels and villas arrange, is well worth the modest extra cost, with a driver waiting for you at a fixed price. Booking this in advance spares the scramble for a scarce taxi on arrival, set out alongside the guide to where to stay. Mykonos is a great island-hopping hub.
Which islands connect to Mykonos by ferry?
Mykonos is a central ferry hub, with frequent connections to Tinos and Syros nearby, to Paros, Naxos and Santorini in the Cyclades, and on to Crete and other islands. This makes it ideal for island-hopping, easily paired with Tinos, Paros, Naxos or Santorini on a multi-island trip.
One of Mykonos’s strengths is its excellent ferry connections, making it a natural hub for island-hopping around the Cyclades. Frequent boats link it with its nearest neighbours, traditional Tinos just 30 minutes away and the Cycladic capital Syros, as well as with Paros and Naxos around an hour away, the dramatic island of Santorini a few hours south, and onward to Crete and other islands in season. This dense network means Mykonos pairs beautifully with other islands on a single trip: a common itinerary combines the glamour of Mykonos with the traditional charm of Tinos, the beaches of Paros or Naxos, or the caldera scenery of Santorini, hopping between them by fast ferry. Booking inter-island ferries ahead in peak season is wise, as popular routes fill up, and allowing for occasional meltemi-wind delays keeps your plans flexible, set out alongside the guides to day trips and the ferries. Getting around the island is simple.
How do you get around Mykonos?
You get around Mykonos by KTEL bus, which links Mykonos Town with the main beaches and resorts cheaply, by taxi, which is scarce and pricey, by water taxi between the south-coast beaches, or by hired car, quad or ATV. The old town is pedestrianised, so you park or take the bus to its edge.
Mykonos is small and easy to get around, with several options to suit different plans and budgets. The KTEL public buses are the cheap, reliable backbone, running from two terminals in Mykonos Town, Fabrika and the old port, to the main beaches and resorts like Ornos, Platis Gialos, Paradise, Super Paradise, Elia and Kalo Livadi, frequently in summer, with some running late to serve the nightlife. Taxis exist but are famously few across the whole island and can be hard to find and pricey, so booking transfers ahead helps. In summer, water taxis shuttle along the south coast between the beaches, a fun, scenic way to beach-hop. For full freedom, especially to reach the wilder north and remote coves, many visitors hire a car, quad or ATV, though parking is tight and the old town is pedestrianised, so you leave vehicles at its edge. For most beach days and nights out, the buses, water taxis and pre-booked transfers cover everything, set out alongside the guides to the beaches and a Mykonos itinerary. One more point is worth knowing.
How long does it take to reach Mykonos?
From Athens, the flight to Mykonos takes about 40 minutes, while the ferry takes around 2.5 to 5 hours depending on the boat and port. Add the time to reach the Athens ports, around 20 to 30 minutes to Rafina or 60 to 90 minutes to Piraeus. International travellers usually connect through Athens.
How long it takes to get to Mykonos depends on where you start and whether you fly or sail. The quickest route from Athens is the domestic flight, a short 40-minute hop with frequent daily departures, ideal if you value speed and have a short stay. By sea, the ferry from Athens takes anywhere from about 2 hours 40 minutes on a fast catamaran to nearly six hours on a slower conventional ferry, plus the time to reach the port: Rafina is just 20 to 30 minutes from Athens airport, while Piraeus is 60 to 90 minutes depending on traffic. International visitors typically fly into Athens and connect onward, either by the quick domestic flight or by transferring to a ferry, while in summer many can take a seasonal direct flight from Europe straight to the island, skipping Athens entirely. Allowing buffer time for transfers, check-in and possible meltemi-wind ferry delays keeps an arrival day stress-free, set out alongside the guide to the best time to visit Mykonos. The questions below cover the points travellers ask most.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you get to Mykonos?
You get to Mykonos by air or sea: frequent flights from Athens, about 40 minutes, and seasonal direct flights from across Europe, or a ferry from the Athens ports of Piraeus and Rafina, taking around 2.5 to 5 hours. Flying is fastest, while the ferry is scenic and suits island-hopping.
Which Athens port for the Mykonos ferry?
Ferries to Mykonos leave from both Piraeus and Rafina in Athens. If you fly into Athens airport, Rafina is the better choice, just 10 kilometres away, while Piraeus is the largest port. The crossing takes around 2.5 to 5 hours, and ferries arrive at Tourlos port near Mykonos Town.
How do you get around Mykonos?
You get around Mykonos by cheap KTEL buses linking the town with the main beaches, by scarce and pricey taxis, by water taxi between the south-coast beaches, or by hired car, quad or ATV. The old town is pedestrianised, so park or take the bus to its edge and explore on foot.