Ferry from Folegandros (Karavostasis) to Ios

The Folegandros to Ios ferry is a short hop between two islands with very different personalities. Folegandros is quiet and unspoiled, known for its clifftop Chora and the kind of unhurried pace that feels increasingly rare in the Cyclades. Ios, just across the water, buzzes with a different energy — livelier beaches, a famous party scene, and one of the most iconic village settings in the islands. The crossing links them neatly.

Throughout the year there is around one ferry per day on average, rising to about two in summer. That frequency gives you reasonable flexibility when planning your onward journey, though booking ahead is wise in summer when demand picks up across the southern Cyclades.

Folegandros to Ios Ferry Fares

Weekly Folegandros to Ios Ferry Schedule

The repeating pattern behind the dated timetable, without dates. Each row is one scheduled departure and the days it runs.

Hiring a car

Can you rent a car in Ios?

Yes. The port sits about 2km from Chora, with rental desks at both. A car isn't essential for the Chora to Mylopotas stretch, which is walkable and bus-served, but it's worth having to reach quieter spots like Manganari beach, roughly 19km to the south. Check current rates at Discover Cars.

Do you need a car on Folegandros?

Not essential. Folegandros is small, and the bus that meets every ferry runs the 3.5km from the port at Karavostasis up to Chora in about ten minutes for a couple of euros. A car or scooter becomes useful once you want to reach the beaches below Ano Meria or Agali, which the bus does not serve directly. Rental desks operate in Chora, Karavostasis and Ano Meria; compare prices at Discover Cars.

Next 14 days

Every scheduled departure from Folegandros to Ios between 4 November 2026 and 17 November 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tips for the Folegandros to Ios ferry

• Take the local bus from Karavostasis to Chora, about 4km away – services are timed to meet ferry arrivals and departures, or use a taxi for the short uphill run to the main village.
• Arrive at the port in Karavostasis at least 30 to 60 minutes before your ferry is due to sail, since boarding and any last-minute schedule changes need time to sort out.
• Build a buffer day into your Folegandros trip: the island's ferry routes are among the first suspended when gale-force meltemi winds hit the exposed Aegean crossings in summer.
• On conventional ferries, the centre of the vessel at the waterline is the most stable point; if you feel unwell, move there and focus on the horizon.
• In Ios, the whitewashed Chora draws visitors with its narrow footpaths, windmills, and the climb to the Church of Panagia Gremiotissa for sweeping views across the Aegean. The island's beaches are among the finest in the Cyclades – Mylopotas, Manganari, and Magganari are the most celebrated – while Homer's reputed tomb lies on the northern hillside.

Plan a journey

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