How To Get From Athens To Naxos
If you are looking on how to get from Athens to Naxos island in Greece…look no further!
So…I am pretty sure you are lost and don’t know how to get from Athens to Naxos island in Greece, right?
To make it easy for you I have written this guide to help you out.
REAL QUICK:
- You have 2 options to get from Athens to Naxos: By Ferry or By Plane
- Best Way To get From Athens to Naxos: By Plane (about 35 minutes)
- Good to Know for tickets to Naxos: Naxos is called “Νάξος” in greek
- Best Website to check ferry prices and Timetables: Let’s Ferry
- Athens to Naxos Ferry : There are basic 2 options for ferry to Naxos. Departure from Piraeus port or Rafina port. In the summer months, a second port, the port at Rafina, about 30-45 minutes by car from Athens International Airport, also has boats departing to the Cyclades.
- 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 Naxos: about 35minutes on the air
- Naxos Airport (airport - code: JNX)
- Cheapest flights from Athens to Naxos: book plane
Ok..so let’s get started with all the travel options from Athens to Naxos.
You really have 2 options to go from Athens to Naxos:
But which one is really the Best Option?
My suggestion: go to Naxos by plane.
Why: because it’s generally much faster and simpler than taking the ferry to Naxos
However, you can also take the ferry which can be a very interesting alternative option for several reasons (see below Option 2).
OPTION 1: From Athens to Naxos by Plane (Kiwi.com offers all the options)
That’s obviously the quickest and most expensive option.
It takes about 35 minutes by plane to be at Naxos small airport and it definitely worths it in our opinion.
Naxos Airport official website is: http://www.ypa.gr/en/our-airports/kratikos-aerolimenas-najoy-kanj
The best and cheapest website to book or search for flights from Athens to Naxos is: Kiwi.com
Athens Airport Code is : ATH (Athens)
Naxos Airport Code is : JNX (Naxos)
There is one flight per day during low season, and during high season (Apr-Oct) there are two (2).
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.
Naxos is a popular destination, so everything has to be booked well in advance.
So…let’s see the pros and cons of getting to Naxos (from Athens) by plane:
Pros (of going from Athens to Naxos by Plane):
- So much faster than the ferry (about 35 minutes on the air)…you can literally save a whole day and spend it in Naxos instead
- If you have just landed at the Athens airport you can just wait there till your connection flight to Naxos departs
Cons (of going from Athens to Naxos by Plane):
- the flight times to Naxos may not be convenient and you might have to spend some boring hours at the Athens airport
- it can be more expensive
Direct flights to Naxos (from other European cities):
No there aren't direct flights from European cities to Naxos in 2018.
Bottom line:
If you plan it properly and you book your flight tickets to Naxos well in advance, then that’s the best option. However, getting the ferry can also be a very good and interesting option (see below).
OPTION 2: From Athens to Naxos by ferry
Going to Naxos by ferry is the second option you have and it can be a very nice experience.
You can get a ferry to Naxos from Piraeus port, or from the rafina port (beware from Rafina port only during summer time!)
1. So lets see how do you get the ferry to Naxos from Piraeus port.
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 Naxos depart from Port Gate E7, 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 Naxos (Piraeus port to Naxos)
There are 5 ferry options from Athens to Naxos (Piraeus port to Naxos):
How long does it take to get from Athens to Naxos (Piraeus port to Naxos)?
It takes between 3 h 30 min and 6 h to get from Athens to Naxos, depending on the type of ferry you are taking.
Is there a high speed ferry between Athens and Naxos (Piraeus port to Naxos) ?
Yes
How much does it cost to get from Athens to Naxos by ferry (Piraeus port to Naxos by ferry) ?
The price depends on the company and type of seat you choose.
On the ferries operated by Sea Jets, from Piraeus to Naxos the single economy class ticket is €49 for an adult; on the ferries operate by Hellenic Seaways, the single economy non smoking ticket is €51 for an adult, while on the ferries operated by Blue Star Ferries , the single ticket is €33.50 for an adult.
BEFORE YOU TRAVEL ALWAYS CHECK THE LET’S FERRY WEBSITE FOR THE AVAILABLE OPTIONS AND TIMES!!!!
Are there any overnight journeys between Athens and Naxos (Piraeus port and Naxos) ?
No.
2. So lets see how do you get the ferry to Naxos from Rafina port.
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
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 Naxos
There is connection between Naxos and Rafina port during the tourist season only. It usually starts after May 20th and ends towards the middle of September. It is only after the middle of June that there is a daily ferry connection. Not all carry vehicles.
There are 3 ferry options from Rafina to Naxos :
How long does it take to get from Rafina to Naxos?
The distance between the two ports is 85 nautical miles and it takes approximately 3:00 to 6:15 hours to get there, depending on the ferry.
Is there a high speed ferry between Rafina and Naxos?
Yes
How much does it cost to get from Rafina to Naxos by ferry?
Cost starts from approximately 30 euros per person (adult).
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 Naxos or ferry tickets from Rafina to Naxos?
Booking in advance a Ferry ticket to Naxos 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 Naxos, you can buy the tickets directly in the port (if 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 Naxos.
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.