Taking a Ferry in Greece: Everything to Know
Booking and taking a ferry in Greece is a great way to explore the islands. We used ferries to get around 3 different islands in the Cyclades for our honeymoon (see our guide on Naxos, Paros, and Milos or how to pick which island to visit), and were mostly prepared. However, there were a few things that were good to know in advance that we learned from other bloggers, or that we learned along the way from experience. Here’s our take on everything to know about taking a ferry in Greece.
How Do I Buy Ferry Tickets in Greece?
FerryHopper.com is our best recommendation (and no, this is not a sponsored link, we just liked it that much). There’s plenty of other avenues but this is one of the most-used methods and did not disappoint. The website lets you book one-way, round-trip, and multi-way tickets. Cancellations are easy, and mostly refundable (there’s a small cancellation fee). The best part is the real-time tracking of your ferry on their app. Ferries are notoriously late in Greece, so the tracking feature is very convenient for planning your arrival to the port.
How far in advance should I buy Greek ferry tickets?
Unless there are strikes or cancellations or it’s the week of August 15th, ferries are rarely sold out. But FerryHopper.com makes it easy, so once you have your itinerary, might as well book it a month or weeks in advance.
Should I upgrade my ferry seat?
Upgrading class depends on the type of boat. It might mean a private cabin, a nice lounge area, a chair that leans back, a table, all the way down to “economy” which, for anything less than 4 hours, is more comfortable than a basic economy seat on an airplane. So, upgrade as you like, but most people recommend sticking with the basics.
Do I need to check in for a Greek Ferry ticket?
You should check in 48 to 2 hours before your trip and FerryHopper.com will remind you. We recommend checking in online and getting an e-ticket, otherwise you may have to go in person early and have it printed.
How early should we arrive at the port?
Unlike airports, ferry ports are pretty quick about boarding and de-boarding. 30 minutes is plenty of time to get to the port, find your boat or wait for it. There’s no heavy security or check-in process.
How do I find my ferry in Greece?
At large ports such as in Pireus, Athens, there are port gates listed on your ticket. A taxi driver will be able to drop you off right in front of your port. For smaller ports on the islands, there’s typically only one or two boats at a time. Your ticket should have a ferry name which can be found on the side of the boat. It will sound its horn when it arrives and leaves the port.
Do ferries have assigned seats?
Yes, technically. But people shuffle around so after a few stops it becomes a free for all. Just stick to your cabin class as you will have to show an upgraded ticket to go into the business cabins.
How much luggage can I bring on a ferry in Greece and where does it go?
It varies by each ferry company, but generally one large piece of luggage or 50 kg per passenger, though we were never checked. There are shelves in the cargo area but the ferry is not responsible for lost or stolen luggage, so keep your valuables on you. There’s some space by your feet or but not much under the seat in front of you. There’s also some shelve and crate space in the cabins, but not enough space for everyone.
Protip: take a picture of where you leave your luggage so you can find it later.
What to do if your Greek ferry is delayed?
Buckle up and get used to it. Unless your ferry starts at your pickup spot (meaning you’re the start of their route and not a stop along their route), your ferry will likely be 30 minutes up to 2 hours late. When you purchase your ticket make sure to use a working cell phone number (it’s toll free) for updates. Ferryhopper’s app also has same-day live tracking of your ferry, so you can anticipate when it might arrive. On our last day in Paros we used the app to plan for an hour late departure. The ferry notified me an hour later and yet the actual departure time and was still 20-30 minutes off. Local businesses recognize that the ferries are always late and will ask you for the ferry name to know when to expect your arrival.
The departure/arrival times displayed on monitors at the ports are not always up to date.
It can be quite deceiving when you have a text message saying departure 14:20 but the official monitor still says 13:35. That’s why the live tracking of the ferry on Ferryhopper’s app was so helpful, to confirm which time to believe. Ferries do not wait for anyone.
What to do if your Greek ferry is cancelled?
The ferry company should rebook you on a different route or ferry to the same destination. Otherwise, they should issue a full refund.
Anything else I need to know?
Don’t get trampled during disembarkment. Just kidding, just watch your step as you’ll likely be distracted by amazing views of your next island destination.
Found this post helpful? Subscribe to our blog or follow us on Instagram for our latest travel tips!
