How to Reach the Greek Islands - Ferries, Flights and Combined Routes
Once you're in Greece - how do you get to the islands? Ferries from Piraeus, charter flights, catamaran options and more.
Greece has hundreds of islands but getting between them - or from the mainland to your chosen island - requires some planning. This guide covers all the main options: ferries from Piraeus (Athens' port), domestic flights, charter flights from abroad and the combination routes that work best depending on your starting point and destination.
Ferries from Piraeus - The Classic Route
Piraeus, the port of Athens, is the hub of the Greek ferry network. Regular car ferries, high-speed catamarans and overnight ferries depart from Piraeus to almost every inhabited Greek island. The main ferry lines are operated by Blue Star Ferries, Hellenic Seaways, Aegean Speed Lines and Minoan Lines.
Key Journey Times from Piraeus
| Destination | Regular ferry | Fast catamaran |
|---|---|---|
| Mykonos | 5 hours | 2.5 hours |
| Santorini | 8 hours | 5 hours |
| Paros | 5 hours | 3.5 hours |
| Crete (Heraklion) | 9 hours (overnight) | - |
| Rhodes | 14–18 hours | - |
| Corfu | Not served from Piraeus | - |
Charter Flights - Direct from Your Home Country
If you're coming from Serbia, charter flights operated by travel agencies are often the most convenient option for islands with airports. Main airports on Greek islands served from Belgrade and the region:
- Corfu (CFU) - direct charters in summer
- Rhodes (RHO) - direct charters in summer
- Crete / Heraklion (HER) - direct charters in summer
- Crete / Chania (CHQ) - direct charters in summer
- Zakynthos (ZTH) - direct charters in summer
- Mykonos (JMK) - often via Athens
- Santorini (JTR) - via Athens (Air Serbia or connecting flights)
Domestic Flights - Athens as Hub
Aegean Airlines and Olympic Air operate an extensive domestic network from Athens. From Athens you can fly to Santorini, Mykonos, Rhodes, Crete, Corfu and many smaller islands in 30–60 minutes. Prices are reasonable when booked in advance (€40–€120 one-way).
Island-Hopping by Ferry
Planning an island-hopping route is one of the great pleasures of a Greek holiday. Key connections beyond Piraeus:
- Cyclades circuit: Mykonos ↔ Paros ↔ Naxos ↔ Santorini (all well connected by fast ferry)
- Ionian circuit: Corfu ↔ Lefkada ↔ Ithaca ↔ Kefalonia ↔ Zakynthos
- Dodecanese circuit: Rhodes ↔ Kos ↔ Patmos (ferries daily in summer)
Book ferry tickets in advance in July–August on: ferryscanner.com, ferryhopper.com or directly with the ferry companies.
Thassos - The Special Case
Thassos is reached by ferry from Keramoti (near Kavala) - 35 minutes. For visitors driving from Serbia, this is the most convenient Greek island: no Piraeus, no Athens, just a short drive to Kavala and a quick crossing.
Practical Tips
- Book ferry tickets online in advance, especially for July and August - car spaces fill up weeks in advance
- Overnight ferries (Athens to Crete, Athens to Rhodes) can be cost-effective if you book a cabin - saves one night's accommodation
- Fast catamarans (Flying Cat, SeaJets) don't run in strong winds - always have a backup plan
- Piraeus port has multiple gates (Gate E1–E12) - check which gate your ferry departs from
