Ferry from Sikinos to Ios

Sikinos to Ios is barely a crossing at all, at twenty-five to thirty minutes. Fast Ferries, Hellenic Seaways and Maistros Santorini all work it with conventional ships, the Dionisios Solomos, the Artemis and the Maistros Santorini. It is the sort of hop you spend entirely on deck, watching one island slide past as the next comes up.

Ios lies between Naxos and Santorini and has a long-standing reputation as a party island, though there is more to it than that once you get away from the centre. Ferries arrive at the harbour village of Ormos, also called Gialos, a few kilometres below the hilltop Chora, with buses running up. Mylopotas is the main beach and the focus of the summer scene, and the island is also linked with a supposed grave of Homer in the north.

The route runs most days through the season, which makes it one of the easier ways off Sikinos. Current departures, journey times and fares are shown in the table below, with tickets often starting around €3.50. From Ios you have frequent onward sailings to Santorini, Naxos, Paros and Piraeus.

Sikinos to Ios Ferry Fares

Weekly Sikinos 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 to rent a car on Sikinos?

Probably not. Sikinos has just two settlements, the port at Alopronia and Chora 3.5km uphill, linked by an hourly bus. Only two small rental outfits operate on the island, with stock limited in August, so most visitors get by on foot and the bus. If you want the freedom, check Discover Cars.

Next 14 days

Every scheduled departure from Sikinos to Ios between 24 October 2026 and 6 November 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tips for the Sikinos to Ios ferry

• Check the marine weather forecast for your crossing the evening before departure; the Hellenic National Meteorological Service (EMY) publishes forecasts for all sea areas.
• Disembarkation is fast on small short-hop ferries; station yourself near the exit before the vessel reaches the harbour to avoid being last off.
• Some island routes operate a reduced winter schedule from late October to late March – always confirm the schedule before building a winter itinerary.
• The pet area on most ferries is outside, on the lower vehicle deck, which can be hot in summer – check the weather before booking a pet on a summer sailing.
• 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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