Ferry from Kythnos (Merichas) to Ios
9h 25m · from €16.50 · 1 operator
Kythnos to Ios at a glance
Ferries from Kythnos (Merichas) to Ios are scheduled 1 time over the next 6 days, about once a week. Departures in that window are at 09:45. The crossing takes 9h 25m. The route is served by 1 operator: Hellenic Seaways. Published fares start from €16.50 on a conventional ferry. There are sailings on Friday during the next fortnight. Operators have published this timetable as far as 30 October 2026.
Tickets from
| Conventional ferry | €16.50 | Book now |
|---|---|---|
| ECO Deck | €16.50 | 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 30 October 2026. Sailings beyond that date have not been announced yet.
Kythnos to Ios through the year
Over the last 12 months it ran all year, busiest in February (about twice a week).
Sailings a day, last 12 months
Tap a month to see how it ran
Month by month
| Month | Sailings | Days with a sailing | How often |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2025 | 5 | 5 of 31 | about once a week |
| November 2025 | 4 | 4 of 30 | about once a week |
| December 2025 | 4 | 4 of 31 | about once a week |
| January 2026 | 3 | 3 of 31 | less than once a week |
| February 2026 | 6 | 4 of 28 | about twice a week |
| March 2026 | 5 | 3 of 31 | about once a week |
| April 2026 | 3 | 3 of 30 | less than once a week |
| May 2026 | 4 | 4 of 31 | about once a week |
| June 2026 | 4 | 4 of 30 | about once a week |
| July 2026 | 4 | 4 of 31 | about once a week |
| August 2026 | 4 | 4 of 31 | about once a week |
| September 2026 | 4 | 4 of 30 | about once a week |
October 2025 · this month, a year ago
November 2025 · this month, a year ago
December 2025 · this month, a year ago
January 2026 · this month, a year ago
February 2026 · this month, a year ago
Blue Star Ferries (Artemis)
March 2026 · this month, a year ago
April 2026 · this month, a year ago
May 2026 · this month, a year ago
June 2026 · this month, a year ago
July 2026 · this month, a year ago
August 2026 · this month, a year ago
September 2026 · this month, a year ago
These are the sailings we recorded on this route from October 2025 to September 2026. They show what ran then, not a forecast: timetables change from year to year.
Kythnos to Ios Route Map
Kythnos to Ios runs around nine and a half hours on the Hellenic Seaways ferry Artemis, a conventional ship working right across the Cyclades with several island calls on the way. It is the only through option on this pairing, and there is no fast alternative. A long day, but a scenic one if the weather is settled.
Ios sits between Naxos and Santorini and has built its reputation on a busy summer nightlife scene, though the island is bigger and quieter than that suggests once you get away from Chora. Ferries dock at Ormos, the harbour village, with the hilltop Chora a short bus ride above and Mylopotas beach on the far side of the ridge. Most visitors base themselves at Mylopotas or in Chora itself.
The service runs only a couple of times a fortnight. Departure dates, operator and current fares are in the table below, starting around €16.50. In practice most travellers reach Ios via Piraeus, Paros or Naxos, all of which have far denser schedules than this direct chain sailing.
Kythnos to Ios Ferry Fares
Lowest fare by vessel class
From €16.50 on a conventional ferry. A high-speed crossing and a conventional one are different products at different prices, so they are listed separately rather than reduced to a single figure.
| Vessel class | From | Operator | Vessel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conventional ferry | €16.50 | Hellenic Seaways | Artemis |
Ticket classes by operator
Prices for a single adult or vehicle, one way: the cheapest fare on sale for each ticket type, from the operators’ booking systems or published price lists. Fares change, so check the price when you book.
Hellenic Seaways
| Ticket type | Category | Fare |
|---|---|---|
| ECO Deck | passenger | €16.50 |
| Vehicles (cars, motorbikes) | vehicle | price not published: check with the operator |
Weekly Kythnos to Ios 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hellenic Seaways | Artemis conventional | 09:45 | 19:10 | 9h 25m | €16.50 | 2026-10-09 to 2026-10-30 | Book the Artemis sailing |
Book ferry port and airport transfers here: Welcome Pickups →
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.
Next 14 days
Every scheduled departure from Kythnos to Ios between 25 October 2026 and 7 November 2026.
| Date | Departs | Arrives | Duration | Vessel | Operator |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fri 2026-10-30 | 09:45 | 19:10 | 9h 25m | Artemis | Hellenic Seaways |
Frequently Asked Questions
How often do ferries run from Kythnos to Ios?
Ferries from Kythnos (Merichas) to Ios are scheduled 1 time over the next 6 days, about once a week. In that fortnight there are departures on Friday. Operators have published this route's timetable as far as 30 October 2026, and nothing beyond that date has been announced yet.
Are there ferries from Kythnos to Ios today?
No, there are no scheduled departures from Kythnos (Merichas) to Ios today. The next sailing in the published timetable is on 30 October 2026, at 09:45. Departures fall on Friday.
How many ferries run from Kythnos to Ios this week?
1 sailing from Kythnos (Merichas) to Ios is scheduled over the next seven days, typically 1 a day on the days it runs.
What time is the first ferry from Kythnos to Ios?
Scheduled departures from Kythnos (Merichas) to Ios leave at 09:45.
How long is the ferry from Kythnos to Ios?
The crossing from Kythnos (Merichas) to Ios takes 9h 25m.
How much does the Kythnos to Ios ferry cost?
Published fares for the Kythnos (Merichas) to Ios ferry start from €16.50 on a conventional ferry. The figure you pay depends on the vessel, the ticket class and the date you travel.
Which ferry companies operate the Kythnos to Ios route?
The Kythnos (Merichas) to Ios route is served by Hellenic Seaways. Crossings run on conventional ferries.
Tips for the Kythnos to Ios ferry
- Smoking is not permitted inside ferry terminals or on board vessels in enclosed areas; designated smoking areas are usually at the stern on open deck.
- Watch for swell forecasts as well as wind speed – residual swell from a previous day's storm can make a crossing rough even when current wind is light.
- Most Greek ports have a covered waiting area, though it can be crowded in summer – arriving early secures a seat in the shade.
- 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.
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