How To Get From Athens To Ios
If you are looking on how to get from Athens to Ios island in Greece…look no further!
So…I am pretty sure you are lost and don’t know how to get from Athens to Ios island in Greece, right?
To make it easy for you we have written this guide to help you out.
REAL QUICK:
- You have 4 options to get from Athens to Ios:
- Best Way To get From Athens to Ios: Really there is no best way to get there. There are four (4) alternatives. You will have to choose which suits you.
- Good to Know for tickets to Ios: Ios is called “Ιος” in greek
- Best Website to check ferry prices and Timetables: Let’s Ferry
- Athens to Ios Ferry : The trip takes from 4 (fast boats) to 7 hours (conventional boats).
- 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
- Best Way to go from Athens Airport to Rafina port (Rafina) : The bus is available daily from 06:00 in the morning until 21:45 in the evening.
- Direct Flights from Athens to Santorini: 45 mins on the air
- Santorini Airport (airport - code: JTR)
- Cheapest flights from Athens to Santorini: book plane
- Santorini to Ios Ferry : The ferry ride takes between 45 minutes and 1 h 25 minutes.
- Book Santorini to Ios Ferry: Let’s Ferry
- Direct Flights from Athens to Mykonos: 30 mins on the air
- Mykonos Airport (airport - code: JMK)
- Cheapest flights from Athens to Mykonos: book plane
- Mykonos to Ios Ferry : The ferry ride between Mykonos and Ios takes between 1h 30 min and 2 hours, depending on the company and vessel.
- Book Mykonos to Ios Ferry: Let’s Ferry
Ok..so let’s get started with all the travel options from Athens to Ios.
You really have 4 options to go from Athens to Ios:
- OPTION 1: Athens to Ios by ferry (from Piraeus Port to Ios)
- OPTION 2: Athens to Ios by ferry (from Rafina Port to Ios)
- OPTION 3: Athens to Santorini by plane and then Santorini to Ios by ferry
- OPTION 4: Athens to Mykonos by plane and then Mykonos to Ios by ferry
But which one is really the Best Option?
Our suggestion: Really there is no best way to get there. There are four (4) alternatives. You will have to choose the one that suits you.
OPTION 1: From Athens to Ios by ferry (from Piraeus port to Ios)
Going to Ios by ferry is the first option you have and it can be a very nice experience.
But 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 Ios depart from Port Gate Ε7, 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…
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.
What are the available ferries from Athens to Ios (from Athens Piraeus port to Ios)
There are 4 ferry options from Athens to Ios :
How long does it take to get from Athens to Ios (from Athens Piraeus port to Ios)?
The trip takes from 4 (fast boats) to 7 hours (conventional boats).
Is there a high speed ferry between Athens and Ios (from Athens Piraeus port to Ios)?
Yes, there are several high speed ferries during the high season (start operating in mid-June). During the low season, there’s a high speed ferry as well but doesn’t run daily.
How much does it cost to get from Athens to Ios by ferry (from Athens Piraeus port to Ios)?
The ticket depends on the company, type of seat and type of ferry.
On a regular ferry, a ticket costs about €60 per person, one way.
On the high speed ferry, a ticket costs about €57 per person, one way.
BEFORE YOU TRAVEL ALWAYS CHECK THE LET’S FERRY WEBSITE FOR THE AVAILABLE OPTIONS AND TIMES!!!!
Where can you book ferry tickets from Athens to Ios (from Athens Piraeus port to Ios)?
Booking in advance a Ferry ticket to Ios is always good, especially during high season as ferries might become full (that’s the case in July and August).
It’s not that you won’t find a ticket but it is more of securing a good seat or a cabin or a vehicle spot (if you have a car).
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 Ios, you can buy the tickets directly in the port of Piraeus, at Port Gate Ε7. 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 Ios.
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.
OPTION 2: From Athens to Ios by ferry (from Rafina port to Ios)
Going to Ios by ferry (from Rafina port to Ios) is the second option you have and it can be a very nice experience.
But before taking the ferry, you have to go to Rafina port.
How do you go from Athens Airport to the Rafina Port?
Athens Airport to the Rafina Port Option 1 : Taking the bus from Athens Airport to Rafina Port
During the summer holiday season there is frequent bus connection between Rafina Port and Athens Airport.
Departure Point: The bus departs from the bus stop between the Exits 2 and 3 of the arrivals hall (opposite hotel Sofitel).
Ticket price: There are only one-way tickets and cost 3,00 €. Your can buy your tickets from the bus driver when you get in the bus. Children under 6 years can travel free.
Working hours: The bus is available daily from 06:00 in the morning until 21:45 in the evening.
Frequency: Buses depart approximatelly every one hour. The exact departure times from Rafina Port are given below
Departure Time from Athens Airport
06:10, 06:45, 07:15, 08:15, 09:15, 10:15, 11:15, 12:15, 13:00, 13:40, 14:30, 15:20, 16:15, 17:15, 18:00, 19:15, 20:00, 21:00, 22:15
Athens Airport to the Rafina Port Option 2 : Taking a taxi from Athens Airport to Rafina Port
It costs around 35 euro and you will be at Rafina port in about 20 minutes.
What are the available ferries from Rafina to Ios
There are 3 ferry options from Rafina to Ios :
How long does it take to get from Rafina port to Ios?
It takes 5 hours and 45 minutes for the trip
Is there a high speed ferry between Rafina and Ios?
Yes
How much does it cost to get from Rafina to Ios by ferry?
BEFORE YOU TRAVEL ALWAYS CHECK THE LET’S FERRY WEBSITE FOR THE AVAILABLE OPTIONS AND TIMES!!!!
Where can you book ferry tickets from Rafina to Ios?
Booking in advance a Ferry ticket to Ios is always good, especially during high season as ferries might become full (that’s the case in July and August).
It’s not that you won’t find a ticket but it is more of securing a good seat or a cabin or a vehicle spot (if you have a car).
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 Ios, you can buy the tickets directly in the port. 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 Ios.
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.
OPTION 3: Athens to Santorini by plane (Kiwi.com offers all the options) and then Santorini to Ios by ferry
It takes about 40-45 minutes by plane to be at Santorini’s small airport.
Santorini Airport official website is: http://www.santoriniairport.com/
The best and cheapest website to book or search for flights from Athens to Santorini is: Kiwi.com
Athens Airport Code is : ATH (Athens)
Santorini Airport Code is : JTR (Thira – Santorini’s official name)
There are many flights per day , especially during the high season (Apr-Oct).
The exact times of the flights change and they are not the same throughout the year so make sure you get the right times from Kiwi.com as it will give you all the available flights immediately.
If you book your tickets well in advance (3-6 months) you could probably find some very good deals with return tickets.
Santorini is an extremely popular destination and probably the most popular in Greece, so everything has to be booked well in advance.
Direct flights to Santorini (from other European cities):
There are no direct flights from USA, Asia or Australia to Santorini in 2018, but there are direct flights from European cities (especially between April-October).
Check Kiwi.com for the available cities, times and prices.
Now you are in Santorini port. Let's move on on how to get to Ios from Santorini by ferry:
From Santorini to Ios by ferry
How long does it take to get from Santorini to Ios?
The ferry ride takes between 45 minutes and 1 h 25 minutes.
Is there a high speed ferry between Santorini and Ios?
Yes, there are several ferries which only take 45 min to connect the two islands
How much does it cost to get from Santorini to Ios by ferry?
The price depends on the company which operates the ferries, on the type of ferry (how fast it goes) and the type of seat.
On the ferry operated by Hellenic Seaways and which takes 1 h and 45 min to get between the two islands, a deck ticket is €31 while a VIP non-smoking is €46.50
On the ferry operated by ZANTE FERRIES and which takes 1 ½ h to get between the two islands, the deck seat is €15 / one way, and the ticket for the airplane type of seats is €16 / one way.
On the ferry operated by Sea Jets and which takes 1h and 40 min to get between the islands, the economy deck seat is €7.20 / one way.
BEFORE YOU TRAVEL ALWAYS CHECK THE LET’S FERRY WEBSITE FOR THE AVAILABLE OPTIONS AND TIMES!!!!
How many ferries per day depart from Santorini to Ios during the low season?
During the 2017 (and probably 2018) low season (March – May, September – October), the following ferries connect Santorini and Ios :
- Daily 12:15 pm, Jun 16 – Sept 24
- Daily 1:10 pm, Apr 28 – Jun 6
- Mon, Wed 6:45 am, Jun 26 – Sept 4
- Mon 7:00 am, Apr 17
- Mon, Thu, Sun 10:45 am, Apr 20 – May 15
- Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun 10:45 am, May 17 – Oct 30
- Tue 7:00 am, till Apr 4, Apr 25, May 9 – May 30
- Tue, Thu 7:00 am, Jul 4 – Sept 5,
- Tue, Thu 7:00 am, Sept 7 – Sept 28, Oct 3 – Oct 31 (This schedule is not officially approved yet)
- Tue 10:00 am, Apr 18, May 2
- Tue 10:45 am, May 16 – Oct 10
- Tue, Wed, Fri 11:00 am, Apr 7 – May 12
- Wed 11:00 am, Oct 4
- Thu 7:00 am, till Apr 6, Apr 20 – Jun 29
- Thu 7:00 am, Oct 5 – Oct 26 (This schedule is not officially approved yet)
- Sat 6:45 am, Jul 1 – Sept 2
- Sat 7:00 am, Apr 22, Apr 30 – Jun 25
- From Mon to Sat 11:00 am, May 16 – Oct 3
- Sun 7:00 am, till Apr 9, Apr 30 – Jun 25
- Sun 7:00 am, Sept 10 – Oct 1, Oct 8 – Oct 29 (This schedule is not officially approved yet)
- Sun 11:30 am, Jun 4 – Sept 24
How many ferries per day depart from Santorini to Ios during the high season?
During the 2017 (and probably 2018) high season (June – August), the following ferries connect Santorini to Ios:
- Daily 12:15 pm, Jun 16 – Sept 24
- Mon, Wed 6:45 am, Jun 26 – Sept 4
- Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun 10:45 am, May 17 – Oct 30
- Mon, Thu, Fri. Sat, Sun 12:15 am, Jun 1 – Jun 15
- From Mon to Sat 11:00 am, May 16 – Oct 3
- Tue 7:00 am, Jun 13 – Jun 27
- Tue 10:00 am, Jun 6
- Tue 10:45 am, May 16 – Oct 10
- Tue 1:10 pm, Jul 18, Aug 1
- Tue, Thu 7:00 am, Jul 4 – Sept 5
- Thu 7:00 am, Apr 20 – Jun 29
- Sat 6:45 am, Jul 1 – Sept 2
- Sun 7:00 am , Apr 30 – Jun 25
- Sun 11:30 am, Jun 4 – Sept 24
Are there any overnight journeys between Santorini and Ios ?
No.
Where can you book ferry tickets from Santorini to Ios?
Booking in advance a Ferry ticket to Ios 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 Santorini and the time you planned to take the ferry to Ios, you can buy the tickets directly in the port. 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 Ios.
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.
OPTION 4: Athens to Mykonos by plane (Kiwi.com offers all the options) and then Mykonos to Ios by ferry
It takes about 30 minutes by plane to be at Mykonos’s small airport
Mykonos Airport official website is: http://www.mykonos-airport.org/
The best and cheapest website to book or search for flights from Athens to Mykonos is: Kiwi.com
Athens Airport Code is : ATH (Athens)
Mykonos Airport Code is : JMK (MYKONOS)
There are many flights per day, especially during the high season (Apr-Oct).
The exact times of the flights change and they are not the same throughout the year so make sure you get the right times from Kiwi.com as it will give you all the available flights immediately.
If you book your tickets well in advance (3-6 months) you could probably find some very good deals with return tickets.
Mykonos is an extremely popular destination and probably the most popular in Greece, so everything has to be booked well in advance.
Direct flights to Mykonos (from other European cities):
There are no direct flights from USA, Asia or Australia to Mykonos in 2018, but there are direct flights from European cities (especially between April-October).
Check Kiwi.com for the available cities, times and prices.
Now you are in Mykonos port. Let's move on on how to get to Ios from Mykonos by ferry:
From Mykonos to Ios by ferry
How long does it take to get from Mykonos to Ios?
The ferry ride between Mykonos and Ios takes between 1h 30 min and 2 hours, depending on the company and vessel.
Is there a high speed ferry between Mykonos and Ios?
Yes, the fastest ferry takes only 1h 30 min to get between the two islands, although the 2 hours connection is provided by a high speed ferry (no vehicles).
How much does it cost to get from Mykonos to Ios by ferry?
The price depends on the company and type of seat you choose. On the ferry operated by Sea Jets, the economy single fare is €35.50. On the ferry operated by Hellenic Seaways, the economy single fare is €36 and the business single fare is €43.50.
BEFORE YOU TRAVEL ALWAYS CHECK THE LET’S FERRY WEBSITE FOR THE AVAILABLE OPTIONS AND TIMES!!!!
How many ferries per day depart from Mykonos to Ios during the low season?
During the 2017 (and probably 2018) low season (March – May, September – October), the following ferries connect Mykonos and Ios :
- Daily except on Tue, 2:15 p.m., May 9 to Jun 14
- Tue, 2:15 p.m.,May 22
- daily except on Wed, 2:55 p.m., May 1 to Jun 14
- Wed, 2:55 pm, May 2, 16, 30
How many ferries per day depart from Mykonos to Ios during the high season?
During the 2017 (and probably 2018) high season (June – August), the following ferries connect Mykonos to Ios:
- Daily except on Wed, 9:50 a.m., Jun 15 to Sept 9
- Sat, 10:40 am., Jun 30 to Sept 8
- Tue, 10:40 a.m., Jul 3 to Sept 4
- Fri, 1:35 p.m., Jun 29 to Sept 7
- Thu, Sat, Sat, 2:50 p.m., Jun 16 to Sept 16
- Tue 2:50 p.m., Jul 3 to 10, 24
Are there any overnight journeys between Mykonos and Ios ?
No.
Where can you book ferry tickets from Mykonos to Ios?
Booking in advance a Ferry ticket to Ios 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 Mykonos and the time you planned to take the ferry to Ios, you can buy the tickets directly in the port. 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 Ios.
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 our guide "how to get from Athens to Ios" 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!