The Mykonos to Naxos ferry is one of the quickest island hops in the Cyclades, a crossing of around 35 to 75 minutes from Mykonos New Port at Tourlos to Naxos, run by SeaJets, Fast Ferries and Hellenic Seaways. This guide covers the times, the prices, the ports, the operators, booking and tips.
Naxos is an easy and rewarding day trip or island hop from the Mykonos travel guide, and pairs with the Mykonos vs Naxos guide. The sections below cover the journey in full.
How long does the Mykonos to Naxos ferry take?
The Mykonos to Naxos ferry takes around 35 minutes on the fastest high-speed boats and about 1 hour 15 minutes on the conventional ferries, an average of roughly an hour. It is one of the shortest crossings in the Cyclades.
The crossing from Mykonos to Naxos is short and direct, one of the quickest island hops in the Cyclades. The fastest high-speed catamarans cover the route in as little as 35 minutes. The conventional car ferries take around 1 hour 15 minutes. Services that call at other islands en route take a little longer, so the average journey is roughly an hour.
This brevity makes Naxos very easy to reach from Mykonos, whether as a day trip or as the next stop on an island-hopping itinerary. You spend minimal time travelling and maximum time on the islands. The speed and frequency explain why the two islands are so often combined, set out alongside the guides to Mykonos to Santorini and day trips. High-speed and conventional ferries both run the route.
Which ferries run from Mykonos to Naxos?
The Mykonos to Naxos route is served by operators including SeaJets and Hellenic Seaways with high-speed catamarans and Fast Ferries with conventional car ferries. In summer there are around 47 crossings a week, dropping to about 5 in winter.
A good choice of ferry companies operates the popular Mykonos to Naxos route, giving strong frequency and options in summer. The high-speed catamarans, run by operators such as SeaJets and Hellenic Seaways, make the fastest crossings of around 35 to 50 minutes. Fast Ferries runs conventional car ferries that take a little over an hour but cost less and carry vehicles.
Between them they provide frequent service in the high season, with around 47 crossings a week from June to September. Outside summer this drops sharply to about 5 a week, making the route far less convenient in the off-season. The earliest boats from Mykonos leave mid-morning and the last in the early evening. High-speed and conventional operators keep the route reliable and flexible, set out alongside the guide to the ports. The fares are reasonable.
How much does the Mykonos to Naxos ferry cost?
The Mykonos to Naxos ferry costs from around 34 to 58 euros for a standard one-way ticket, with business and VIP lounge seats from around 65 to 80 euros. Conventional ferries are generally cheaper than the fast catamarans.
The fare for the short hop to Naxos is moderate and good value given the convenience. A standard economy one-way ticket typically costs from around 34 to 58 euros, depending on the operator, the speed of the boat and the time of year. The conventional car ferries are generally cheaper than the faster high-speed catamarans. For more comfort, business-lounge seats are usually priced from around 65 euros and VIP-lounge seats from around 80 euros, giving quieter, more spacious seating for the crossing.
Prices rise in the peak of July and August and for the fastest services, so booking ahead helps secure both a place and a better fare. The journey is short, so there are no cabins on this route, just airline-style seating and open decks. Comparing operators and classes when booking lets you balance speed, comfort and cost, set out alongside the guide to Mykonos on a budget. The ports are simple to navigate.
Which ports do the ferries use?
Ferries to Naxos leave from Mykonos New Port at Tourlos, about 2.5 km north of Mykonos Town, not the Old Port. They arrive at the main port of Naxos in Chora, the island’s capital, beside the town.
Knowing the ports avoids confusion on travel day. Departures from Mykonos leave from the New Port at Tourlos, the large modern port about 2.5 kilometres north of Mykonos Town where the big ferries and cruise ships dock, rather than the small Old Port beside the town. In the busy summer season the port gets crowded, so it is wise to arrive about 45 minutes before departure to allow for boarding.
On the other end, the ferries dock at the main port of Naxos, right in Chora, the island’s lively capital, so you step off the boat in the heart of town, close to the waterfront, the old town and the famous Portara gateway. Arriving on Naxos is easy and immediate, with no long transfer needed. Planning the correct port and arrival time keeps the journey smooth, set out alongside the guide to Mykonos vs Naxos. The tips below help the trip.
What tips help for the Mykonos to Naxos ferry?
Book tickets online in advance for summer, go to the correct New Port at Tourlos, arrive about 45 minutes early, and choose a fast catamaran for the shortest crossing. Keep luggage manageable and carry your booking and ID.
Simple tips make the Mykonos to Naxos crossing easy. Book your ferry tickets online in advance, especially in the busy summer months, to secure your preferred time and avoid sold-out sailings. Choose a high-speed catamaran for the shortest crossing or a conventional ferry to save money. On the day, head to the correct port, the New Port at Tourlos rather than the Old Port, and arrive about 45 minutes before departure to allow for the crowds.
Pack so your luggage is easy to handle, as you may carry it on and off yourself, and keep your booking confirmation and ID to hand. Seasickness precautions help, because the fast ferries can be bumpy when the meltemi wind whips up the sea. With these steps, the short hop to Naxos is straightforward, set out alongside the guides to Mykonos weather and getting to Mykonos. Naxos is well worth visiting.
Why visit Naxos from Mykonos?
Naxos is well worth visiting from Mykonos for its long sandy beaches, authentic atmosphere, mountain villages, ancient sites and the iconic Portara gateway, all at far lower prices than Mykonos. The short, frequent ferry makes it an easy day trip.
Naxos makes a rewarding addition to a Mykonos trip, giving a very different and more affordable experience just a short ferry ride away. The largest of the Cyclades, Naxos is known for its long sandy beaches such as Plaka and Agios Prokopios, ideal for relaxed swimming and families. Its authentic, unspoilt character, with traditional mountain villages, a fertile green interior and ancient ruins, contrasts with Mykonos’s glamour. The landmark is the Portara, a giant marble doorway from an unfinished ancient temple standing on an islet by the port, famous for sunset.
Naxos is also far cheaper than Mykonos, so it gives excellent value for food, accommodation and activities. Whether as a day trip to sample its beaches and town or as a longer, calmer stop on an island-hopping route, Naxos rewards the easy hop from Mykonos, set out alongside the guides to day trips and a Mykonos itinerary. The questions below cover the points travellers ask most.
Can you do Naxos as a day trip from Mykonos?
Yes, you can do Naxos as a day trip from Mykonos on the short ferry of around 35 minutes to an hour. Take an early boat, explore Naxos Town, the Portara and a beach, and return on an evening sailing.
Naxos works well as a day trip from Mykonos, and the short, frequent crossing makes it practical, though a longer stay rewards you more. The fastest ferries take only around 35 minutes and there are frequent sailings in summer, so you can catch an early-morning boat from Mykonos New Port, enjoy a full day on Naxos, and return on an evening ferry. The natural plan is to explore Naxos Town, the lively capital right by the port, wandering its old town and Venetian castle, and walking out to the iconic Portara on the islet by the harbour.
A relaxed lunch of good-value local food and time on a sandy beach such as Agios Prokopios or Plaka, a short bus or taxi ride away, round out the day. Naxos is the largest of the Cyclades, with a rich interior of mountain villages, ancient sites and long beaches, so a single day only scratches the surface. Staying a night or two lets you experience its authentic character and value far more fully, set out alongside the guides to Mykonos vs Naxos and day trips. The short hop opens up a very different island.
Should you book the Mykonos to Naxos ferry in advance?
Yes, book the Mykonos to Naxos ferry in advance for summer. From June to September the sailings and the fastest catamarans sell out, so early booking secures your preferred time. Vehicle spaces fill first, while foot passengers have more flexibility.
Advance booking matters most in the peak of July and August, when demand for the short, popular route is at its height. Foot passengers travelling light have the easiest time and can sometimes buy a ticket close to departure, though the fastest catamaran seats still go quickly. Drivers bringing a car should book earliest of all, because vehicle deck space is limited and fills before passenger seats. Reserving ahead also lets you compare operators and seat classes and often locks in a better fare, set out alongside the guide to Mykonos island hopping.
Outside the high season the picture changes. With frequency dropping to around five sailings a week in winter, choice is limited but the boats rarely fill, so last-minute travel is easier. Whatever the season, carrying your booking confirmation and photo ID keeps boarding at Mykonos New Port quick and stress-free.
Can you take a car on the Mykonos to Naxos ferry?
Yes, you can take a car on the Mykonos to Naxos ferry using the conventional car ferries run by operators such as Fast Ferries. The high-speed catamarans carry foot passengers only. Book vehicle space early, as car decks fill first.
The conventional car ferries on the route load vehicles through a stern ramp, so cars, motorbikes and campervans travel across with their drivers. These boats take a little over an hour and cost less than the fast catamarans, which makes them the practical choice for anyone continuing an island-hopping drive across the Cyclades. The high-speed catamarans, by contrast, take foot passengers and their luggage only, so a car cannot travel on the very fastest services.
Vehicle space is limited, so drivers should reserve a place as early as possible for summer crossings and arrive at Mykonos New Port in good time for loading. On arrival you drive straight off at the main port of Naxos in Chora, ready to explore the island’s mountain villages and distant beaches, set out alongside the guide to Mykonos New Port.
What can you do in Naxos after the ferry?
The Mykonos to Naxos ferry lands you beside the Portara, the marble gateway of an unfinished Temple of Apollo. Explore Naxos Town and its Venetian castle, then reach beaches such as Agios Prokopios and Plaka or the mountain villages inland.
Naxos rewards travellers the moment they step off the boat, as the main port sits right in Chora, the island’s capital. A short walk leads to the Portara, the giant marble doorway of an unfinished ancient temple standing on an islet by the harbour and famous for sunset. Behind the waterfront, the old town climbs in a maze of whitewashed lanes to a Venetian castle, or Kastro, with small museums and tavernas along the way.
Beyond the town, Naxos rewards a longer look as the largest of the Cyclades. Long sandy beaches such as Agios Prokopios and Plaka lie a short bus or taxi ride south, ideal for swimming and families. Inland, mountain villages like Halki and Apeiranthos, the marble quarries with their ancient unfinished statues, and the green valleys give the island its authentic character, set out alongside the guide to Mykonos day trips.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the Mykonos to Naxos ferry take?
The Mykonos to Naxos ferry takes around 35 minutes on the fastest high-speed boats and about 1 hour 15 minutes on the conventional ferries, with an average of roughly an hour. It is one of the shortest and easiest crossings in the Cyclades, making Naxos a quick and convenient hop from Mykonos.
How much does the Mykonos to Naxos ferry cost?
The Mykonos to Naxos ferry costs from around 34 to 58 euros for a standard one-way ticket, with business and VIP lounge seats priced higher, from around 65 to 80 euros. Prices vary by operator, boat speed and season, and the conventional ferries are generally cheaper than the fast catamarans.
Which port does the Naxos ferry leave from in Mykonos?
Ferries to Naxos leave from Mykonos New Port at Tourlos, about 2.5 km north of town, not the Old Port. They arrive at the main port of Naxos in Chora, right beside the town. Arrive at Mykonos New Port about 45 minutes before departure in summer, as it can get crowded.
Can you take a car on the ferry from Mykonos to Naxos?
Yes, the conventional car ferries run by operators such as Fast Ferries carry cars, motorbikes and campervans between Mykonos and Naxos. The high-speed catamarans take foot passengers only. Book vehicle space early for summer crossings, as car decks fill before passenger seats.
Is the Mykonos to Naxos ferry a good day trip?
Yes, the short, frequent ferry makes Naxos a practical day trip from Mykonos. Take an early boat, see the Portara, Naxos Town and a beach such as Agios Prokopios, then return on an evening sailing. Staying one or two nights lets you reach the mountain villages and distant beaches.