Ferry from Ios to Syros (Ermoupoli)

Ios to Syros takes from around two and a half hours on the Seajets fast craft Eurochampion Jet up to more than five on the conventional Hellenic Seaways Artemis, which calls at several islands on the way. The longer sailing is a proper Cyclades milk run rather than a direct hop, and is a good deal cheaper for it. Fares start around €15.

Syros is the administrative capital of the Cyclades, and its main town Ermoupoli feels quite unlike the whitewashed island stereotype: grand neoclassical architecture, an opera house and museums, built on the wealth of its shipping past. The harbour is overlooked by two hilltop quarters, Catholic Ano Syros and Orthodox Vrontado, each topped by its own church. It is a working island with real year-round life rather than a purely seasonal resort.

The route runs a couple of times a day in high season, dropping to a handful of sailings a week at quieter times. Current departures, vessels and fares are listed below. Syros is one of the main Cyclades interchange points, with extensive onward connections to Piraeus, Mykonos, Tinos and the northern islands.

Ios to Syros Ferry Fares

Weekly Ios to Syros 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 Syros?

Yes, and rental desks cluster right in Ermoupoli, a short walk from where the ferry docks. Syros Town itself is easily walkable, but a car earns its keep for reaching Kini, Galissas and Poseidonia beaches, each 8-10km away on the other side of the island. Compare prices across local suppliers 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 Syros between 5 September 2026 and 18 September 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tips for the Ios to Syros 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.
• Wind on open deck is a reliable form of air conditioning in summer – many Greeks head straight to the deck rather than the air-conditioned saloon.
• Once you arrive in Syros, the elegant capital Ermoupoli – with its grand neoclassical town hall, marble-paved Miaouli Square, and the Apollo Theatre – reflects the island's prosperous 19th-century history as the commercial centre of the Aegean. The hilltop medieval settlement of Ano Syros, built by the Venetians around 1200 CE, offers a contrasting older layer of island history.

Plan a journey

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