Ferry from Donousa to Naxos (Chora)

Donousa to Naxos is served by Blue Star Ferries on the Blue Star Naxos and by Small Cyclades Lines on the Express Scopelitis. The Blue Star covers it in a little over an hour when it runs direct, while the Scopelitis, which calls through the rest of the Small Cyclades, takes closer to four. Both are conventional ferries with open deck, and the Scopelitis in particular is a very local sort of boat.

Naxos is the largest island in the Cyclades and the hub for this whole group of small islands. The ferry comes in at Naxos Town, where the Portara, a huge freestanding marble doorway from an unfinished Temple of Apollo, stands right at the harbour entrance. Behind it are the Venetian Kastro quarter, a wide choice of places to stay, and buses out to the beaches and mountain villages.

Sailings run around once a day in season, thinning out sharply in winter. The current timetable and fares are shown below, with tickets starting around €6.50. From Naxos you can pick up frequent connections to Paros, Mykonos, Santorini and Piraeus.

Weekly Donousa to Naxos Ferry Schedule

What each ferry company has published for the four weeks from 13 November 2026 to 10 December 2026: the days it sails and its departure times from Donousa.

Donousa to Naxos Ferry Fares

Hiring a car

Is it worth hiring a car on Naxos?

Yes, it is worth it. Naxos is the largest Cycladic island, and its best beaches and mountain villages, Apollonas, Halki, the Tragaea, are 30 to 45 minutes' drive from Naxos Town. Rental desks sit right at the ferry dock, a one-minute walk from the bus terminal. Buses cover the main coast road, but a car gets you into the interior. Compare local suppliers at Discover Cars.

Next 14 days

Every scheduled departure from Donousa to Naxos between 13 November 2026 and 26 November 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tips for the Donousa to Naxos ferry

• Port kiosks and cafes are often the only food option before boarding – if you have dietary requirements, eat before you arrive.
• Short hops are a great way to visit a 'satellite' island – for example, the small island of Antiparos from Paros – without committing to an overnight stay.
• When booking for the return leg of a day trip, remember that the last ferry of the day can fill up – book your return at the same time as your outward journey.
• Evening arrivals into a lit island harbour are particularly beautiful; consider timing a crossing to arrive at dusk if the schedule allows.
• Once you arrive in Naxos, the largest of the Cyclades, the giant marble Portara gateway standing on a small islet at the entrance to the harbour is an unmissable landmark. The island offers the full range of Greek island experiences: long sandy beaches, mountain villages, ancient ruins, and a fertile interior producing excellent local cheeses and wines.

Plan a journey

Search for a connection between any two Greek ports, including journeys that need a change.