Ferry from Tinos to Athens (Rafina)

Tinos to Rafina is one of the workhorse links between the Cyclades and the Attica mainland, run by Fast Ferries, Golden Star Ferries and Seajets. The fast craft, such as Champion Jet 3, cover it in a little over an hour and a half, while the conventional ships like Andros King, Andros Queen and Ekaterini P take considerably longer, and the slowest sailings run to seven hours or more because they call at Mykonos, Andros or Syros on the way. If you want deck space, a proper seat and somewhere to put a car, the conventional boats are the ones to look for.

Rafina is Attica's second port, on the east coast about 30km from central Athens and much closer to the airport than Piraeus is. It is a working port town rather than a sight in its own right, but the harbour sits right in the middle of it, so you step off the ramp and are among cafes and tavernas within a couple of minutes. Buses connect the port with Athens airport and with the city, which is why so many island-hoppers use it.

This is a busy corridor with departures several times a day through the season, spread across the three operators, and it thins out considerably in winter. Current timetables, operators and fares for each sailing are shown in the table below. Fares start around €24 on the conventional ships, with the fast craft priced higher, and if you are heading straight for a flight the Rafina airport bus makes the connection straightforward.

Tinos to Rafina Ferry Fares

Weekly Tinos to Rafina 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 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.

Do you need a car in Tinos?

Not strictly, since Tinos has one of the Cyclades' better bus networks and buses reach most villages from Tinos Town, but only a handful of times a day. With well over 30 villages scattered across the island and many worth a stop, a hire car gives you the freedom to see more than the three or four the bus timetable allows; compare suppliers at Discover Cars.

Next 14 days

Every scheduled departure from Tinos to Rafina between 24 August 2026 and 6 September 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tips for the Tinos to Rafina ferry

• Tinos has two ports – most ferries now use the new port about ten minutes from town, while only the Flyingcat catamaran still departs from the old port right in Tinos Town centre. Check which one is named on your ticket.
• If you are travelling with a vehicle, check in at least an hour before departure. Foot passengers can check in from 30 minutes before sailing, though it is worth allowing extra time in Tinos during busy summer sailings.
• The port sits a short walk from the Panagia Evangelistria church, so around 15 August – the island's main pilgrimage day – expect the harbourfront and surrounding streets to be extremely crowded with visitors arriving and departing by ferry.
• If a ferry is cancelled due to weather, you are entitled to a full refund or rebooking on the next available sailing; go to the operator's port office immediately.
• 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

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