Getting from Mykonos to Athens is easy by ferry to the ports of Piraeus or Rafina, a crossing of around 2.5 to 6 hours, or by a short flight of about 30 minutes to Athens airport. This guide covers the ferries, the flights, the journey times, the prices, the ports, booking and how to choose.
Athens is the main gateway to and from the Mykonos travel guide, so knowing the options helps. The sections below cover the journey in full.
How do you get from Mykonos to Athens?
You get from Mykonos to Athens by ferry to the ports of Piraeus or Rafina, taking around 2.5 to 6 hours depending on the boat, or by a short flight of about 30 minutes to Athens International Airport. The ferry is cheaper and popular, while flying is fastest. Both run frequently in summer.
There are two main ways to travel between Mykonos and Athens, and the right choice depends on your budget, time and preferences. The most popular is the ferry, which connects Mykonos with the Athens-area ports of Piraeus and Rafina, with a crossing of roughly 2.5 to 6 hours depending on whether you take a fast or conventional boat. The alternative is to fly, with a short flight of around 30 minutes between Mykonos Airport and Athens International Airport, the fastest option by far. Both run frequently in the summer season, with multiple ferries and flights each day, so you can find a convenient departure. The ferry is generally cheaper and offers the scenic, classic island-hopping experience, while flying saves a lot of time, especially useful for connecting to international flights at Athens airport. Many travellers choose the ferry on the way out for the experience and a flight back to save time, or vice versa, set out alongside the guide to getting to Mykonos. The ferries serve two ports.
What are the ferries from Mykonos to Athens?
Ferries from Mykonos sail to Piraeus and Rafina, run by SeaJets, Blue Star Ferries, Golden Star Ferries and Fast Ferries, with both high-speed and conventional boats. The fast catamarans take around 2.5 to 3.5 hours and the larger conventional ferries 4 to 6 hours, with over 10 daily crossings in summer and year-round service.
The ferry route between Mykonos and Athens is well served, with frequent sailings and a choice of operators and boat types. Ferries leave from the New Port at Tourlos in Mykonos and sail to two ports serving Athens: Piraeus, the main port close to the city centre, and Rafina, which is closer to Athens airport on the east coast. The route is operated by several companies, among them SeaJets, Blue Star Ferries, Golden Star Ferries and Fast Ferries, running both high-speed catamarans and larger conventional car ferries. The fast catamarans, such as those run by SeaJets, cover the crossing in around 2.5 to 3.5 hours, while the bigger conventional ferries, such as Blue Star, take roughly 4 to 6 hours but cost less and carry vehicles. The route is busy and runs year-round, with over 10 daily crossings in the summer high season, so there is plenty of choice. Picking your port and boat type to suit your onward plans and budget is worthwhile, set out alongside the guide to the ports. Flying is the fast alternative.
What about flying from Mykonos to Athens?
Flying from Mykonos to Athens takes about 30 minutes, with multiple daily flights in summer run by Sky Express, Aegean Airlines, Olympic Air and Volotea. It is the fastest option, useful for connecting to international flights, and if booked well ahead can cost little more than a fast ferry.
Flying is the quickest way to travel between Mykonos and Athens, ideal when time matters or you need to connect to an onward international flight. The flight from Mykonos Airport to Athens International Airport takes only about 30 minutes in the air, dramatically faster than the ferry, and several airlines fly the route, among them Sky Express, Aegean Airlines, Olympic Air and Volotea, with multiple flights a day in the summer season, often every few hours, giving good flexibility. The main advantage beyond speed is the easy connection at Athens airport to international and domestic flights, sparing you the transfer from a port. While flying can cost more than the ferry, booking your flight several months in advance often brings the price down to not much more than a fast ferry ticket, making it competitive as well as quick. The trade-offs are the airport check-in and security time, baggage limits and the loss of the scenic sea journey. For speed and onward connections, flying is excellent, set out alongside the guide to Mykonos Airport. Costs and times vary by option.
How much does it cost and how long does it take?
Mykonos to Athens ferry tickets start from around 38 euros, taking 2.5 to 3.5 hours by fast boat or 4 to 6 hours by conventional ferry. Flights take about 30 minutes and vary in price, often cheaper if booked early. Book both well ahead in summer, as popular departures sell out.
The cost and journey time depend heavily on whether you take the ferry or fly, and on the type of boat. Ferry tickets from Mykonos to Athens start from around 38 euros for a basic fare, with prices rising for faster boats, premium seats and peak-season dates; the fast catamarans take roughly 2.5 to 3.5 hours, while the larger conventional ferries take about 4 to 6 hours but are usually cheaper. Flights take only around 30 minutes and vary widely in price depending on the airline, the season and how far ahead you book, often working out reasonable and sometimes close to a fast-ferry fare if booked well in advance, though last-minute summer flights can be pricey. For both ferries and flights, it is strongly recommended to book in advance, as the popular Mykonos to Athens routes sell out quickly in the peak season. Comparing the time saved by flying against the lower cost and scenic experience of the ferry helps you choose, set out alongside the guide to Mykonos on a budget. A few tips smooth the journey.
What tips help and should you take the ferry or fly?
Book ahead for summer, choose Piraeus for central Athens or Rafina for the airport, and arrive at the port about an hour before departure. Take the ferry for lower cost and the scenic experience, and fly to save time or connect to an international flight. Many do one each way.
A few tips and a clear sense of the trade-offs make the Mykonos to Athens journey smooth. Book your ferry or flight well in advance for the summer, as both sell out on this busy route. If taking the ferry, choose your Athens port to suit your plans: Piraeus is closest to central Athens and the city’s sights and hotels, while Rafina is closer to Athens International Airport, handy if you are flying onward; arrive at the Mykonos New Port about an hour before departure to allow for the queues and boarding. As for which to choose, take the ferry if you want to save money and enjoy the classic, scenic island-hopping experience, accepting the longer journey, and fly if speed matters or you need to connect smoothly to an international flight at Athens airport. A popular strategy is to do one each way, perhaps the ferry out and a flight back, or vice versa, to balance cost, time and experience. With a little planning, the journey is straightforward, set out alongside the guides to Mykonos to Santorini and Mykonos weather. The questions below cover the points travellers ask most.
Should you use Piraeus or Rafina port for Athens?
Choose Piraeus if you are heading to central Athens, the city’s sights and hotels, as it is closest to the centre and well connected by metro. Choose Rafina if you are connecting to Athens International Airport, as it is much closer to the airport, saving time and transfer cost when catching a flight.
When taking the ferry from Mykonos to Athens, you can arrive at one of two ports, and choosing the right one for your plans makes the journey much smoother. Piraeus is the main and largest port of Athens, located close to the city centre and connected to it by metro, bus and taxi, so it is the best choice if your destination is central Athens, the city’s sights such as the Acropolis, or a hotel in the city, as you avoid a long transfer across town. Rafina, on the east coast of Attica, is a smaller port but is much closer to Athens International Airport, so it is the better choice if you are connecting to a flight, as it greatly reduces the transfer time and cost between the port and the airport. Both ports are served by ferries from Mykonos, though Piraeus has more frequent and varied sailings. So decide based on where you are going next: Piraeus for the city, Rafina for the airport, and check which port your chosen ferry uses when booking, set out alongside the guides to Mykonos Airport and getting to Mykonos. Most travellers heading into the city take the metro from Piraeus, which is quick and cheap, while those connecting to a flight find Rafina far more convenient for the airport, so confirming your ferry’s arrival port at the time of booking, and planning your onward transfer, avoids any last-minute scramble on arrival. Checking the latest timetables and prices when you book, and allowing enough time for the transfer at either end, keeps the whole journey relaxed and predictable. The right port saves time and money.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the Mykonos to Athens ferry take?
The ferry from Mykonos to Athens takes around 2.5 to 3.5 hours on the fast catamarans and about 4 to 6 hours on the larger conventional ferries, sailing to Piraeus or Rafina. There are over 10 daily crossings in summer and year-round service, run by SeaJets, Blue Star, Golden Star and Fast Ferries.
Is it better to fly or take the ferry from Mykonos to Athens?
Take the ferry for lower cost and the scenic island-hopping experience, accepting the 2.5 to 6 hour journey, and fly to save time or connect to an international flight, as the flight takes only about 30 minutes. Many travellers do one each way to balance cost, time and experience.
How much does the Mykonos to Athens ferry cost?
Mykonos to Athens ferry tickets start from around 38 euros, with prices rising for faster boats, premium seats and peak dates. The fast catamarans take 2.5 to 3.5 hours and the conventional ferries 4 to 6 hours. Book well ahead in summer, as this busy route sells out quickly.