Ferry from Ios to Athens (Rafina)
5h 05m · from €78.00 · 1 operator
Ios to Rafina at a glance
Ferries from Ios to Athens (Rafina) are scheduled 14 times over the next 14 days, about one a day. Departures in that window are at 15:15. The crossing takes 5h 05m. The route is served by 1 operator: Golden Star Ferries. Published fares start from €78.00. There are sailings on all seven days during the next fortnight. Operators have published this timetable as far as 20 September 2026.
Tickets from
| Standard ticket | €78.00 | Book now |
|---|
Lowest published figure for each kind of ticket, one way. The price you pay depends on the sailing and the date you choose.
Operators have published this route's timetable to 20 September 2026. Sailings beyond that date have not been announced yet.
Ios to Rafina Route Map
This is one of the longer domestic crossings in the Cyclades, running the length of the Aegean from Ios in the southern group up to Rafina on the Attic coast. It's a route built for people connecting the party-and-beach island of Ios with Athens without routing through Piraeus, and for anyone based near Rafina or Athens airport who wants a straight shot south into the islands rather than the busier Piraeus terminals.
At just over five hours, this is not a hop -- it's a proper sea journey, and worth planning your day around rather than squeezing in either side of other commitments. Golden Star Ferries runs the boat, and since no other company competes on this pairing, there's a single timetable to check rather than several to compare. Ios's port sits below the hillside town, a short bus or taxi ride from Chora and the beaches most visitors come for, while Rafina's harbour is a compact, easy-to-navigate affair on Attica's east coast, closer to the airport than central Athens and a far calmer place to arrive or depart than Piraeus at the height of summer.
Because there's normally just the one sailing a day rather than a run of options to choose between, it pays to build your travel day around the departure time rather than assume you can shift it. Check the schedule box above for the current confirmed sailing day and time each season, since operators file their timetables in stages and the details firm up as summer approaches.
Useful Resources for Your Greek Island Trip
- Find accommodation in Greece – hotels, apartments and villas on Booking.com
- Book tours and activities in Greece via Viator
- Find guided experiences and day trips via GetYourGuide
- Compare car hire prices in Greece via DiscoverCars
Exploring Athens?
If you have time before or after your ferry, there is plenty to see near the capital. Browse our complete guide to the best day trips from Athens – from ancient ruins and mountain villages to coastal escapes and island hops.
Ios to Rafina Ferry Fares
Tickets from €78.00.
Weekly Ios to Rafina Ferry Schedule
The repeating pattern behind the dated timetable, without dates. Each row is one scheduled departure and the days it runs.
| Operator | Vessel | Days | Departs | Arrives | Duration | From | Season | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Star Ferries | Golden Princess high-speed | 15:15 | 20:20 | 5h 05m | now to 2026-09-20 | Book the Golden Princess sailing |
Book ferry port and airport transfers here: Welcome Pickups →
Hiring a car
Can you rent a car at Rafina port?
Yes, several international agencies including Sixt, Avis and Budget have desks at the port, roughly 25km from Athens airport by road. It's a useful pickup point if you're collecting a car before driving onward, rather than sailing, or heading into Athens after a ferry from the islands. Compare prices at Discover Cars.
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.
Next 14 days
Every scheduled departure from Ios to Rafina between 5 September 2026 and 18 September 2026.
| Date | Departs | Arrives | Duration | Vessel | Operator |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 2026-09-05 | 15:15 | 20:20 | 5h 05m | Golden Princess | Golden Star Ferries |
| Sun 2026-09-06 | 15:15 | 20:20 | 5h 05m | Golden Princess | Golden Star Ferries |
| Mon 2026-09-07 | 15:15 | 20:20 | 5h 05m | Golden Princess | Golden Star Ferries |
| Tue 2026-09-08 | 15:15 | 20:20 | 5h 05m | Golden Princess | Golden Star Ferries |
| Wed 2026-09-09 | 15:15 | 20:20 | 5h 05m | Golden Princess | Golden Star Ferries |
| Thu 2026-09-10 | 15:15 | 20:20 | 5h 05m | Golden Princess | Golden Star Ferries |
| Fri 2026-09-11 | 15:15 | 20:20 | 5h 05m | Golden Princess | Golden Star Ferries |
| Sat 2026-09-12 | 15:15 | 20:20 | 5h 05m | Golden Princess | Golden Star Ferries |
| Sun 2026-09-13 | 15:15 | 20:20 | 5h 05m | Golden Princess | Golden Star Ferries |
| Mon 2026-09-14 | 15:15 | 20:20 | 5h 05m | Golden Princess | Golden Star Ferries |
| Tue 2026-09-15 | 15:15 | 20:20 | 5h 05m | Golden Princess | Golden Star Ferries |
| Wed 2026-09-16 | 15:15 | 20:20 | 5h 05m | Golden Princess | Golden Star Ferries |
| Thu 2026-09-17 | 15:15 | 20:20 | 5h 05m | Golden Princess | Golden Star Ferries |
| Fri 2026-09-18 | 15:15 | 20:20 | 5h 05m | Golden Princess | Golden Star Ferries |
Frequently Asked Questions
How often do ferries run from Ios to Rafina?
Ferries from Ios to Athens (Rafina) are scheduled 14 times over the next 14 days, about one a day. In that fortnight there are departures on all seven days. Operators have published this route's timetable as far as 20 September 2026, and nothing beyond that date has been announced yet.
Are there ferries from Ios to Rafina today?
Yes, there is 1 sailing from Ios to Athens (Rafina) today. Departure time: 15:15.
How many ferries run from Ios to Rafina this week?
7 sailings from Ios to Athens (Rafina) are scheduled over the next seven days, typically 1 a day on the days it runs.
What time is the first ferry from Ios to Rafina?
Scheduled departures from Ios to Athens (Rafina) leave at 15:15.
How long is the ferry from Ios to Rafina?
The crossing from Ios to Athens (Rafina) takes 5h 05m.
How much does the Ios to Rafina ferry cost?
Published fares for the Ios to Athens (Rafina) ferry start from €78.00. The figure you pay depends on the vessel, the ticket class and the date you travel.
Which ferry companies operate the Ios to Rafina route?
The Ios to Athens (Rafina) route is served by Golden Star Ferries. Crossings run on high-speed vessels.
Tips for the Ios to Rafina ferry
- The port at Ormos sits about 2km below Chora – roughly a five-minute drive, a 20-minute walk, or a short bus ride from the stop just along the road from the ferry quay.
- Arrive at Ormos port at least an hour before departure in summer – traffic builds up around the port and you'll want time to secure a good deck or lounge seat before boarding.
- Ormos port has its own supermarkets, cafes, ATMs and car or motorbike hire outlets, so you can wait comfortably, withdraw cash or pick up rental transport without leaving the harbour area.
- On routes operated by a single company, focus on choosing the right class of service rather than comparing operators.
- Ferries from Rafina, Athens's eastern port, connect to the Cyclades via a route that is closer to Athens International Airport than Piraeus. The city of Athens itself is easily reached, with the Acropolis, the Plaka district, and the National Archaeological Museum among the essential sights before or after your journey.
Plan a journey
Search for a connection between any two Greek ports, including journeys that need a change.
