How To Get From Athens To Hydra
If you are looking on how to get from Athens to Hydra island in Greece…look no further!
So…I am pretty sure you are lost and don’t know how to get from Athens to Hydra island in Greece, right?
To make it easy for you I have written this guide to help you out.
REAL QUICK:
- You have 1 option to get from Athens to Hydra: By Ferry
- Good to Know for tickets to Hydra: Hydra is called “Ύδρα” in greek
- Best Website to check ferry prices and Timetables: Let’s Ferry
- Athens to Hydra Ferry : The journey between the port of Piraeus (Athens) and Hydra takes between 1 h 10 min and 2 hours, depending on the ferry you are taking.
- Best Way to go from Athens Airport to Athens main port (Piraeus) to take any ferry is by taking the Athens Airport Bus X96 (X96 Bus Route – X96 Bus runs every 20-30 mins) – X96 Bus ticket costs 6 euros (adult) and 3 euros (kids) or buy an ATH.ENA Card
Ok..so let’s get started with how to get from Athens to Hydra.
From Athens to Hydra by ferry
Before taking the ferry, you have to go to the Athens ferry port which is called Piraeus.
How do you go from Athens Airport to the Athens Ferry Port (called Piraeus or Pireus) ?
Athens Airport to the Athens Ferry Port Option 1 : bus X96
The easiest and cheapest option is by taking the bus X96 that stops just outside of the Athens airport:
It takes between 50 mins to 80 mins (depending on the traffic) to go to the Athens ferry port (Piraeus) and the X96 bus route to Piraeus ferry port is the following:
Ferries to Hydra depart from Port Gate Ε8, so you have to stop at the bus station : STATION ISAP (which is also a metro station).
Or in greek : ΣΤΑΘΜΟΣ ΗΣΑΠ
In case you feel lost you can just ask the bus driver (they always speak english)
But in reality you will find some brand new GPS screens showing you where you actually are:
The X96 bus runs 24/7 and there is a bus every 30 mins roughly (however do not expect it to be always on time).
For the X96 bus, you have to buy tickets from a kiosk which is just outside of the bus stop (and also just outside of the airport, just follow the “Bus” signs in the airport).
This is actually how get to those bus ticket kiosks outside of the airport:
The bus ticket is a small piece of paper that you have to put in the orange slots which are inside the bus (you will hear a “click” noise once you put the ticket in…which is basically the printing/stamping of the date and time).
For adults the ticket costs 6 euros and for kids (under 6) it costs 3 euros:
A TIP FOR BUS TICKETS IN ATHENS:
There is also a mobile application with which you can buy your bus tickets developed by Transport for Athens
Click here to download the Bus Tickets for Athens App for Android
Click here to download the Bus Tickets for Athens App for iOS
(you really don’t have to worry at all about the bus tickets if you do that…and you can pay by any card!)
The X96 bus is pretty fast and it costs only 6 euros!
BE CAREFUL!
Sometimes the Athens Airport Buses say: “AEROLIMENAS-PEIRAIAS”
Don’t get confused. This is a greek-lish version of saying: “Airport – Pireaus” so it’s the same really…
You get off when you see the Port on your left side, enter Gate E8, this is where the Ferries and Flying Dolphins are departing to Aegina and the other Saronic islands (Agistri, Methana, Poros, Hydra & Spetses).
Here is a video showing how to get to the bus and when you arrive at the Piraeus port:
Athens Airport to the Athens Ferry Port Option 2 : taxi
Baggage cost you extra, there’s a surcharge for the airport and the journey takes at least 1 hour (30 km between the airport and the port) so the taxi fare can add up to a quite high amount. The taxi fare ads up to about €50, depending on the traffic. You also have to be careful to avoid the scams (you really don’t want to pay 10 times more than the regular fare).
Athens Airport to the Athens Ferry Port Option 3 : Metro (train)
Line 3 started operating in 2004 and links the airport to Monastiraki where you switch to Line 1, taking you to Piraeus. The journey time between the airport and the port is about 75 min. The metro fare for the entire length of the trip ads up to €6.
How do you go from Athens airport to Central Athens ?
First of all you have to go from the Athens Airport to Syntagma Square (the most central point in Athens) either by taking the metro from the airport (it’s actually overground for some stations and then it goes underground) or the bus X95 which will take you to Syntagma Square within 30-40 mins.
This is Bus X95’s route (from Athens airport to Syntagma square – central Athens):
You can take the X95 Bus just outside from the airport.
If you want, you can also take the metro (blue line or line 3 to Aghia Marina):
Where can I check the Athens metro last trains and schedules?
Click here to check the timetables for Athens metro and see if you can catch the last one if your flight arrives too late!
How do you go from Central Athens to Piraeus ferry port ?
The easiest way is by taking the metro green line (or Line 1).
It takes about 30 mins from Monastiraki Square or Omonoia Square at central Athens to the metro station at Piraeus ferry port.
How long does it take to get from Athens to Hydra?
The journey between the port of Piraeus (Athens) and Hydra takes between 1 h 10 min and 2 hours, depending on the ferry you are taking.
Is there a high speed ferry between Athens and Hydra?
Not exactly, but the fastest ferry takes only 1h and 10 min to get to the island (or 1 h 20 min during the high season).
How much does it cost to get from Athens to Hydra by ferry?
The ferries between Athens and Hydra are operated by Hellenic Seaways. All ferries are passengers only.
A single adult ticket costs €28.
How many ferries per day depart from Athens to Hydra during the low season?
The following ferries to be available during the 2017 and probably the 2018 low season (March – May, September – October) between Athens and Hydra:
- Daily 8:00 am, Jun 6 – Sept 11
- Daily 9:00 am, till Apr 23
- Daily 1:00 pm, till Apr 23
- Daily 5:00 pm, till Apr 23
- Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri 9:00 am, Mar 23 – Apr 10
- Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri 10:00 am, May 8 – Jun 1
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat 8:00 am, Sept 12 – Sept 30
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat 8:30 am, Jun 6 – Sept 11
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat 10:00 am, Aug 8 – Sept 30
- Mon tot Fri 9:00 am, Apr 19 – May 5
- Mon to Fri 2:15 pm, Mar 24 – Apr 11, Apr 19 – May 5
- Mon to Fri 7:15 pm, Mar 24 – Apr 11, Apr 19 – May 5
- Tue 9:00 am, Mar 28 – Apr 11
- Tue 10:00 am, May 9 – May 30
- Fri 8:00 am, Sept 15 – Sept 29
- Fri 10:00 am, May 12 – May 26, Jun 2 – Sept 8, Sept 15 – Sept 29
- Fri, Sat 8:30 am, Jun 9 – Sept 10
- Sat 8:00 am, May 13 – May 27
- Sat, Sun 9:00 am, Mar 23 – Apr 9, Apr 22 – May 7
- Sat, Sun 10:00 am, Apr 22 – May 28
- Sat, Sun 6:00 pm, Mar 25 – Apr 9
- Sun 8:00 am, May 14 – May 28, Sept 17 – Oct 1
- Sun 10:00 am, May 14 – May 28, Jun 2 – Oct 1
- Sun 12:pm, Jun 11 – Oct 1
- Sun 2:00 pm, Sept 11 – Oct 1
- Sun 6:00 pm, Sept 17 – Oct 1
How many ferries per day depart from Athens to Hydra during the high season?
The following ferries to be available during the 2017 and probably the 2018 high season (June – August) between Athens and Hydra:
- Daily 8:00 am, Jun 6 – Sept 11
- Mon to Fri 8:00 am, May 8 – Jun 1
- Mon to Thu, 1:15 pm, Jun 6 – Aug 14
- Mon,Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat 8:30 am, Jun 6 – Sept 11
- Mon, Wed, Thu, Sat 10:00 am, May 8 – Jun 1
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat 10:00 am, Jun 6 – Sept 30
- Mon 8:00 am, Jun 5
- Tue 12:00 pm, Aug 15
- Fri 8:00 am, Jun 2
- Fri 8:30 am, Jun 2
- Fri 10:00 am, Jun 2 – Sept 8
- Fri 1:00 pm, Jun 2 – Sept 8
- Fri, Sun 8:30 am, Jun 6 – Sept 11
- Sat 8:00 am, Jun 3
- Sat 8:30 am, Jun 3
- Sat 10:00 am, Jun 3 – Sept 9
- Sat 1:00 pm Jun 3 – Sept 9
- Sun 8:00 am, Jun 4
- Sun 8:30 am, Jun 4
- Sun 10:00 am, Jun 11 – Oct 1
- Sun 12:00 pm, Jun 11 – Oct 1
BEFORE YOU TRAVEL ALWAYS CHECK THE LET’S FERRY WEBSITE FOR THE AVAILABLE OPTIONS AND TIMES!!!!
Are there any overnight journeys between Athens and Hydra?
No.
Where can you book ferry tickets from Athens to Hydra?
Booking in advance a Ferry ticket to Hydra is always good, especially during high season as ferries might become full (that’s the case in July and August).
But…you can always book them online (just to be sure) on the Let’s Ferry website (even if you don’t book it there you can always check the timetables of the ferries on the dates you want to travel).
Another option is to have your travel agent book them for you, but they will need to contact a Greek travel agency. So an easier option is to contact a reliable Greek travel agency yourself and book your tickets via them.
If you have some time available between your arrival in Athens and the time you planned to take the ferry to Hydra, you can buy the tickets directly in the port of Piraeus, at Port Gate Ε8. Unless you are traveling during the peak season or national holiday weekends, you shouldn’t worry about booking in advance, especially if you plan to use a deck seat.
BE CAREFUL THOUGH: According to the law the tickets have to be printed out only by certified travel agencies or the Ferry companies , so even if you book it online you have to visit a travel agent or the kiosk at the ferry port to take the print outs anyways (not a big deal..everyone is doing that anyways).
However, the last years people tend to buy ferry tickets online for Hydra.
You can always do that from Let’s ferry website or but as I said previously you always have to take the ticket printout from a travel agent in Greece or the kiosk which is usually outside of the ferry that you are boarding on.
Important note:
Sometimes the ferry schedules available online are not very accurate. It’s not the websites’ fault at all as the ferry companies submit their schedule to the Ministry of Merchant Marine weekly. Hence the ferry schedule might change from week to week. Your best bet is to check this link the day before departure (or the day of before) just to make sure things haven’t changed.
P.S. – If you’ve found this article helpful, please consider booking via the links here as it helps keep the website community supported and advertiser free. All the companies are ones we use ourselves in our own travels. If you have any questions, email us!