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 stops at islands such as Naxos or Paros. The fastest direct boats reach Ios in about 1 hour 25 minutes.
The crossing from Mykonos to Ios is a moderate island hop. It is longer than the short trips to nearby Tinos or Naxos, but still manageable in a couple of hours. The journey usually runs between an hour and a quarter and two hours. The exact time depends on the operator and on whether the boat runs direct or calls at intermediate islands such as Naxos or Paros, which lengthens the trip.
The fastest direct high-speed boats reach Ios in about 1 hour 25 minutes. 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 a convenient departure is usually available, and it connects on to Santorini further south. 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.
Which ferries run from Mykonos to Ios?
The Mykonos to Ios route is served by SeaJets, Golden Star Ferries, Cyclades Fast Ferries and others, running year-round with around 19 weekly sailings in season. Most boats are high-speed catamarans. SeaJets offers the most frequent service.
The Mykonos to Ios route carries a strong range of ferry operators, giving good frequency in summer. SeaJets offers the most frequent service and the largest number of weekly sailings, alongside Golden Star Ferries and Cyclades Fast Ferries. The route runs year-round, with around 19 weekly sailings during the season, so a suitable departure is usually available.
Most of the boats are high-speed catamarans designed for quick island hopping, covering the route in the fastest times. Certain services call at intermediate islands such as Naxos and Paros along the way, which adds time but lets you see more. The route continues on to Santorini, so it forms 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. Planning the trip is easy, set out alongside the guide to the ports.
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. Prices vary by operator, boat speed and season, and booking in advance secures the best fares.
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. Prices rise 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, because fares usually rise as the departure date approaches, so reserving early secures the cheapest tickets. The crossing runs a couple of hours, so 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.
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, just 2 km from Chora, an easy 5-minute drive or 20-minute walk.
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. It is not the small Old Port beside the town, so head to the correct one. The port gets busy in summer, so 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, 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, so 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.
Why visit Ios from Mykonos?
Ios is worth visiting from Mykonos for its beaches like Mylopotas, its hilltop Chora, and its young, budget-friendly party scene, a wilder, cheaper alternative to Mykonos. The ferry makes it an easy stop for island-hopping the Cyclades.
Ios makes a rewarding and contrasting addition to a Mykonos trip, with a more youthful and affordable take on the Cyclades party island. Mykonos is glamorous, upscale and cosmopolitan, while Ios is younger, cheaper and wilder. It is long beloved of backpackers, students and twenty-somethings for its legendary nightlife, concentrated in the compact 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. The whitewashed Chora is lovely to explore, with windmills and sunset views. For younger travellers island-hopping the southern Cyclades, often combining Ios with Santorini, it is an easy and fun stop. Ios 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.
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 Mylopotas beach by day and the nightlife by night.
Ios works better as an overnight stop than a day trip, because the crossing takes around 1.5 to 2 hours each way. A day trip would mean three to four hours of travel for only a handful of hours on Ios. You would also 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 beach days, above all at the long sandy Mylopotas, with late nights in the compact hilltop Chora. 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. 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.
Travellers with only one spare day get more from the nearer islands of Tinos, Naxos or Syros, which make far better day trips from Mykonos. Ios rewards an overnight visit, set out alongside the guides to Mykonos vs Ios and day trips. Planning at least one or two nights lets you experience both its beaches by day and its after-dark party scene, making for a far more rewarding visit to this lively, youthful island.
What is there to do in Ios after the ferry?
Ios offers Mylopotas beach for swimming and watersports, the hilltop Chora for its whitewashed lanes, windmills and sunset views, and a busy bar and club scene by night. The port sits just 2 km from Chora, so all three are quick to reach.
The port sits on the west coast, only 2 kilometres from Chora, so the town is a 5-minute drive or 20-minute walk from the ferry. Chora rewards a wander for its whitewashed lanes, hilltop windmills and sunset views, with tavernas and cafes for a relaxed daytime meal before the evening picks up.
Mylopotas, the long sandy beach below the town, is the main beach draw, with sunbeds, beach bars and watersports through the day. After dark, the Chora fills with the bar and club scene that gives Ios its reputation, set out alongside the guides to Mykonos vs Ios and Mykonos to Santorini.
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.
Can you continue from Ios to Santorini by ferry?
Yes. The Mykonos to Ios route continues south to Santorini, so Ios sits on a natural island-hopping line between the two. Many travellers stop a night or two on Ios before carrying on to Santorini further south in the Cyclades.
How far in advance should you book the Mykonos to Ios ferry?
Book as early as you can, especially for July and August departures. Fares rise as the date approaches and popular sailings sell out in peak summer, so reserving ahead secures both the cheapest tickets and your preferred departure time.