Mykonos Ferries & Travel

Mykonos is one of the best-known islands in the Cyclades, known for its nightlife, beach clubs and high-end restaurants. Mykonos Town (also called Chora) is a warren of white alleys, with iconic windmills and the waterfront district of Little Venice.

The ports of Mykonos and getting to town

Mykonos has two ports. Ferries use the New Port at Tourlos, which is about 2 to 3 km from Mykonos Town. Every crossing listed on this site arrives at and leaves from Mykonos (Tourlos). The Old Port is in the town itself and is no longer a ferry port. Small boats to Delos leave from it, and it is a stop for local buses to the beaches and villages, including a bus to and from Tourlos.

There are four ways to cover the distance from Tourlos to town.

• Sea bus: a small boat runs into town about every half hour and takes around eight minutes. If the taxi queue is long, take it rather than wait.
• KTEL bus: the local bus stops at Tourlos and fares start from around €1.80 a ride, depending on distance.
• Taxi: taxis can be hard to find at busy times. The main rank is at Fabrika Square in town, not at the port, so book a taxi for Tourlos in advance.
• Pre-booked transfer: a driver who meets you at the port is the easiest option if you have luggage.

Sort out your onward transport before you sail. The port can be crowded and chaotic, and there is nowhere to eat or drink there, so wait until you reach town. The ferry timetable changes a great deal through the year, so the route pages below are the place to check the sailings for your dates.

Athens to Mykonos: Piraeus or Rafina

Both Athens ports have ferries to Mykonos. Most visitors leave from Piraeus, the main gateway to the Cyclades and the port that suits anyone staying in central Athens. It is a large port with gates spread out, so allow extra time to find yours (the Piraeus ferry port guide shows the layout). The Piraeus to Mykonos ferry runs all year, and high-speed catamarans join it from spring to autumn.

Rafina is a port east of Athens, closer to the international airport. It is smaller and calmer. It suits anyone arriving by air who would rather not cross the city to Piraeus, and it is the starting point for the northern Cyclades by way of Andros and Tinos. The Rafina to Mykonos ferry page lists the operators and current times. Whichever port you use, morning ferries avoid the strong afternoon Meltemi winds.

The way back is the Mykonos to Piraeus ferry. For a loop from Athens to Santorini and on to Mykonos, sail the Santorini to Mykonos ferry linked below, then take this crossing home.

Onward from Mykonos

For the northern Cyclades, Mykonos is the main hub, and a handful of short hops are the reason to build a trip around it.

• Tinos: the nearest island, on the Mykonos to Tinos ferry. It has sailings in winter as well as in summer.
• Syros: the Mykonos to Syros ferry is also a year-round link.
• Paros and Naxos: the Mykonos to Paros ferry, the Mykonos to Naxos ferry and the return Paros to Mykonos ferry are mostly spring-to-autumn services.
• Santorini: the Mykonos to Santorini ferry is a high-speed service that runs from spring to autumn. The return crossing is the Santorini to Mykonos ferry, and the Santorini guide covers the other end.

In winter the main links are those to Piraeus, Rafina, Andros, Tinos and Syros. Sailings to Santorini, Paros, Naxos and most other Cyclades islands start again in spring, so a visit between November and March is worth planning around the Piraeus and Rafina links.

Planning and booking

Booking ahead is strongly recommended for high-season travel on popular routes, particularly if you need a cabin or are travelling with a vehicle. The Mykonos currency guide covers cash and cards once you arrive, and the Cyclades guide explains how the islands fit together.

Check prices and book Piraeus to Mykonos tickets · Check prices and book Rafina to Mykonos tickets

Ferry Routes

Guides and Information