How to Get From Athens to Naxos Island: Ferry & Flight Routes for Every Budget
No matter your preferred mode of transportation, getting from Athens to Naxos Island is a breeze. There are numerous convenient and affordable options available to suit your budget and travel preferences, ensuring that you'll be exploring Paros in no time. Keep reading to learn more.
A visit to Naxos is a must for any traveller visiting Greece’s incredible islands, and thankfully, getting there from Athens to Naxos is super easy.
You can choose to travel either by plane or ferry, with several options available to suit your budget and preferences.
For those with limited time, direct domestic flights operate daily between Athens and Naxos, allowing you to reach the island quickly and easily.
If you prefer a more immersive experience, there are affordable and convenient daily ferries that service the Athens to Naxos route. You can choose between fast and slow ferries depending on your preference.
This guide provides the best travel options based on your preferences, time constraints, and budget, ensuring you travel safely, comfortably and efficiently.
Whichever option you choose, you'll be enchanted by the stunning beauty of Naxos, making it a must-visit destination for any traveller to Greece.
ATHENS TO
NAXOS ISLAND
FERRY DEPARTURES | Up to 8 per day
FERRY COST | From €40 - €80
BOOK | Through Ferry Hopper
FLIGHT DEPARTURES | Up to 10 per day
FLIGHT COST | From €150 difference.
WHERE IS NAXOS ISLAND?
Naxos Island is located in the Aegean Sea, around 192 km southeast of Athens.
With an area of around 430 square km and a population of about 18,000 people, Naxos is the largest island in the Cyclades. Situated in the heart of the famed island group, between popular destinations such as Mykonos and Santorini, Naxos is slowly becoming a tourist mecca in its own right.
Naxos Chora is the capital of Naxos Island and is situated in the west of the island, almost directly opposite Paros. Chora is the main Port of Naxos, and as a result, is the main starting point for almost all Naxian adventures.
ATHENS TO NAXOS FERRY
Despite being a somewhat lesser-known island in the Cyclades, getting from Athens to Naxos is still super easy, with multiple daily ferries from Piraeus (the mainland Athens port) as well as nearby Cycladic islands.
There are two types of ferries that connect Athens to Naxos - the comfortable, high-speed, hydrofoil ferries operated by SeaJets and Hellenic Seaways, and the more traditional slow ferries, operated by Blue Star, and Fast Ferries.
Taking the slow ferry offers a much more sedate experience for travellers. There’s much more space, and stunning views as you cruise past the famous Cycladic Islands and to Naxos. If you’re lucky enough to grab an indoor couch or chair, the ride is extremely comfortable, even in strong winds. Otherwise, sitting on the outside decks, headphones in, relaxing and watching the world go by, is one of life’s great pleasures.
On the other hand, those who wish to get to Naxos as quickly as possible should book the fast ferry. Comfortable, and quick, yet slightly more expensive, the hydrofoil ferries will have you exploring the villages and beaches of Naxos in no time.
Whichever way you decide, both options are affordable, ranging between €50 - €80, depending on the season, ferry type, and seat type.
All ferries arriving at Naxos will disembark at the Naxos Port. From here, you can easily walk into town, take a local bus, or taxi/transfer to other parts of the island, depending on where your accommodation is.
Despite not being as popular as other islands, it’s important to know that Athens to Naxos ferries get busy. Very busy. This is because the Athens to Naxos route also visits Paros and Santorini.
So we suggest booking your tickets well in advance, especially if you plan to travel during July, August or September. More on that is below.
Ferries were our preference for getting around the islands, both for cutting down on unnecessary short flights, and also because they're generally the faster, more comfortable, and more affordable option anyway.
BOOK | Your Athens to Naxos ferry tickets through Ferry Hopper App
HOW TO BOOK ATHENS TO NAXOS FERRY TICKETS
The easiest and most efficient way to book your Athens to Naxos ferry tickets is through a third-party provider - we used Ferry Hopper throughout our 2 months in Greece and loved the seamless service and affordability, especially when compared with the outdated ticket platforms used by the ferry companies.
Booking tickets on Ferry Hopper gave us peace of mind, knowing our tickets were secured ahead of time, and that nothing, pending a union strike or high winds, was going to stop us from making our journey.
The process is simple - jump on their app or online, select your travel dates, the departure time you’d prefer, or by ferry type (fast, slow), and book your required seating (deck, VIP or cabin). Make your payment, and the tickets will be sent directly to your email, as well as stored in the app, which makes boarding an absolute breeze, trust us.
Alternatively, you can purchase your ferry tickets directly at the ferry ports, with each company supplying on-site ticket booths. We’d advise against this, especially in summer - ferries tend to book out well in advance, so waiting until the day of departure to book your ticket is risky.
Remember to arrive at the departure port at least an hour prior to departure.
BOOK | Your Athens to Naxos ferry tickets through Ferry Hopper
ATHENS TO NAXOS FERRY TICKET OPTIONS
Tickets vary from economy seats to private cabins on all of Athens to Naxos Island ferries.
HIGH-SPEED FERRIES
Fast ferries offer three types of seating - economy, VIP and Platinum. Economy seats are similar to aeroplane seats - wide and comfortable, but many to a row.
VIP tickets are in a different area of the ship but are mostly the same seats as in Economy. In our opinion, they’re not worth the money.
Platinum seats are located in a quiet, contained room on board the fast ferry. The ticket features dedicated service, large, comfortable seats, and power sockets to charge your devices.
Due to the relatively quick ferry time, we recommend booking economy seats.
SLOW FERRIES
Slow ferries are more affordable and tend to have far greater ticket options due to their size and travel times.
For most ferries, tickets will include deck seating (economy), numbered seats, lounge (business class), and cabins (one bed to four beds).
We recommend booking a numbered seat, which provides a guaranteed seat that in the height of summer, is highly sought after, and potentially a power socket, depending on which company you book with. Alternatively, if you’d prefer your own space and to get some rest, the private cabins are a great option.
The economy seats aren’t bad per se - on a nice day, you can sit outside and watch the world go by, or do as backpacker Mark did 20 years ago, and set up a makeshift bed for a long nap.
BOOK | Your Athens to Naxos ferry tickets through Ferry Hopper
HOW LONG IS THE ATHENS TO NAXOS FERRY JOURNEY?
The Athens to Naxos ferry journey is around 3 - 6 hours depending on many factors, so we recommend grabbing food and drinks from nearby Piraeus before stepping onboard.
Remember, travel time will depend on the ferry company you choose, the time of year, and important factors such as weather conditions and tides. We suggest checking the ferry schedules and travel times prior to departure.
WHERE IS PIREAUS PORT & HOW TO GET THERE
The Port of Piraeus is actually not located within the city of Athens itself, but rather in the nearby suburb of Piraeus, which is about 10 kilometres southwest of Athens.
It is the largest port in Greece and one of the busiest ports in the Mediterranean region, so there are a number of ways to get to the port from Athens city centre:
METRO | The easiest and most convenient way to get to Piraeus port from Athens is by taking the Metro Line 1 (Green Line), which connects Athens to Piraeus. The journey takes around 25 minutes from Monastiraki or Omonia stations. Expect to pay around €1.50 - €2 for the journey. From Piraeus station, it’s a short walk to the port. There are plenty of places to grab food and drink before your ferry departs.
BUS | There are also several bus routes that run from Athens to Piraeus, including buses 040, 049, 218, 232, 815, and A1. The journey takes around 30-45 minutes depending on the traffic
TAXI / UBER | Taxis and Uber are widely available in Athens, and you can take a taxi direct to Piraeus port if it’s super hot, or you have a lot of luggage. The journey takes around 20-30 minutes, depending on traffic, and will cost around €30 - €40.
Overall, taking the metro is the most convenient and cost-effective option for getting to Piraeus port from Athens.
FERRIES FROM OTHER ISLANDS TO NAXOS
If you’re already in the Greek Islands and wish to visit Naxos, a number of surrounding islands have direct ferry services. These include Amorgos, Astypalea, Crete (Heraklion), Donoussa, Koufounisa, Mykonos, Paros Santorini & Syros.
As always, we suggest checking departure routes and times, and booking your tickets in advance through Ferry Hopper.
BOOK | Your Athens to Naxos ferry tickets through Ferry Hopper
ATHENS TO NAXOS FLIGHT
Keen to visit Naxos, but aren’t willing to take the long, and sometimes arduous ferry ride? Well, you’re in luck! You can fly from Athens to Naxos direct, year-round.
There is a caveat, though - Naxos airport is tiny, and can only handle medium-sized aircraft. Thus, demand is high, and so are prices, so we feel like it’s cost prohibitive to fly to the island, unless you’re really in a rush to see as much of Greece as possible, or money is no object.
Olympic and Sky Express offer up to six flights per day in the height of summer, and prices start at €150 per person. Prices increase as demand increases, so the summer months can be pricey and tend to sell out. We suggest booking well in advance (Jan - March are good times).
If you do wish to fly, and you plan on exploring more Cycladic Islands, an easy alternative could be to fly directly to Mykonos or Santorini and then take a ferry to Naxos.
As always, please consider whether flying is appropriate during the climate crisis. On average, flights from Athens to Santorini produce 30kg + of CO2 emissions, which in our opinion, is unnecessary. If you chose to fly, please offset your emissions. Learn how, here.
PRO TIP | Fly directly to Mykonos or Santorini, and take a ferry to Naxos
ATHENS TO NAXOS FLIGHT TIME
The flight time from Athens to Naxos is 40 minutes, depending on weather conditions.
WHERE IS ATHENS AIRPORT & HOW TO GET THERE?
Flights from Athens to Naxos depart from Athens Domestic Airport, otherwise known as Eleftherios Venizelos
The airport is located 33 km from Athens city centre, and travel time takes around 35 - 60 minutes, depending on your mode of transport.
There are three modes of transport to get to Athens Airport - taxi / Uber, the Athens metro, or bus.
Taxis / Uber are obviously the most expensive option, and a fare is likely to cost between €40 - €60 depending on your travel time. They’re also the most comfortable option and take around 35 minutes.
The metro is our suggested option to get to the airport from the city, especially for those on a budget. We’ve taken this a number of times, and it’s safe, comfortable and air-conditioned.
Tickets for the Athens airport metro cost €9 one-way or €16 return, and the journey takes around 40 minutes. Trains are available every 30 minutes from 05:40 - 23:30.
NOTE | For flights to Naxos, you’ll need to depart from the domestic terminal
HOW TO GET FROM NAXOS AIRPORT TO NAXOS CHORA
Naxos is small, and a lot of the main towns and beaches are located very close to Naxos Airport.
From Naxos Airport to Chora, the travel time is 10 - 20 minutes and is operated by the metered taxi service, and local shuttle bus.
TAXI | Expect to pay around €20 for a taxi to Chora. Taxis are limited on Naxos, so it may take a while to secure one. Most taxis are cash only.
BUS | Alternatively, the shuttle bus to Chora is quick and cheap. Tickets to Chora cost €1.80 for the 20-minute ride (cash only). You will need to exit the airport, and walk to the Naxos Camping bus stop, and board the bus to Naxos Chora.
CAR RENTAL | If you’re planning to hire a car for the duration of your stay, you can arrange to pick it up from the airport
IS IT BETTER TO FLY OR FERRY FROM ATHENS TO NAXOS?
Overall, we’d suggest taking the ferry from Athens to Naxos.
Travelling by ferry is a rite of passage in Greece, and provides a picturesque way of seeing the country’s vast network of islands. It’s also cost-effective and relaxing - the stress of boarding flights, baggage allowances and delays means that a ferry is a vastly superior option.
We recommend downloading a few of your favourite podcasts or tv shows, grabbing a few snacks, and sitting back to embrace the subtle joy of ferry travel.
NAXOS ISLAND TRAVEL ESSENTIALS
WHAT TO SEE AND DO ON NAXOS
Naxos is wildly diverse; towering limestone peaks make way for lush, cultivated valleys; long sandy beaches are punctuated by rocky coves and cliffs, and the buzz of Naxos Chora is balanced by the quiet inner-island villages.
As a result, there’s a head of wonderful things to do on the Island, including visiting Naxos Chora, exploring the mountain villages of Halki, Apeiranthos and Filoti, swimming in the clear blue waters of Plaka and Prokopios beaches, and immersing yourself in the incredible culinary scene.
For more, read our guide on the best things to do on Naxos.
WHERE TO STAY ON NAXOS
Below are a number of quick recommendations for where to stay on Naxos, for all budget types. However, if you’d prefer a more thorough overview, read our where to stay in Naxos guide.
NAXIAN ON THE BEACH | Our fave place to stay on Naxos, this Boho-chic hotel is located right on Plaka Beach. Naxian on the Beach is for Millennials who love sleek, modern design. Also attached to Tortuga restaurant and bar. Check prices and availability
NAXIAN UTOPIA | Sleek, boho-modern and inviting hotel with amazing views over the whole of Naxos. The pool set-up is grand, too - and some suites have their own plunge pool. Check prices and availability
HOTEL FRANCESCA | It’s all about the pool at this 2* hotel near Agios Prokopios beach. The rooms aren’t bad either, so this place is a real bargain. Check prices and availability
BOOK | Alternatively, search all accommodation on Naxos here.
HOW TO GET AROUND NAXOS
There are a few ways to get around Naxos, although which one you should opt for the kind of depends on how long you’re planning to visit, and whether you’re planning to explore or relax by the sea.
CAR | We highly suggest renting a car on Naxos. Compared to other Greek Islands such as Santorini, Car rental on Naxos is actually quite affordable, especially during the shoulder seasons. Book car rental here
SCOOTER OR ATV | For those on a budget, hiring an ATV or scooter might be a better option to explore Naxos
LOCAL BUS | Buses are by far the cheapest mode of transport on Naxos, and the network is pretty good and reliable, especially between Chora and the main beaches of Prokopios, Plaka, and the mountain towns of Halki, Filoti and Apeiranthos. See the Naxos bus timetable here
YOUR NAXOS PACKING ESSENTIALS
Travelling through Naxos comes with a unique set of needs.
To help you have a comfortable, happy journey, we recommend bringing the following items with you:
REUSABLE WATER BOTTLE | THE BEST INVESTMENT WE’VE EVER MADE! We use the Grayl water purification bottles, which allow us to fill up from any water source, anywhere in the world (including train taps!)
A TOTE BAG | The humble tote is a versatile little lifesaver when on the road. They're plastic-free, small, easily foldable, and can pack a surprising amount! Check out this range of beautifully designed, personalisable totes bags here
BIODEGRADABLE WET WIPES | Keep clean without destroying the planet!
HAND SANITISER | This is not something we’d actually recommend normally, but we now live in Covid times... so this can be a bloody great investment
INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL ADAPTER | You’ll need a European plug to keep your gear going!
POWER BANK | Don’t get caught out without power for your devices
EYE MASK | For those annoyingly early European sunrises!
BIO-FRIENDLY TOILETRIES | Avoid damaging and chemical-heavy products and facial scrubs with microbeads altogether. We recommend Lush solid shampoo, conditioner and bodywash bars, ocean-friendly sunscreen (Stream2Sea), a mooncup is a great investment for “that” week and Lip balm for the sun
TRAVEL INSURANCE | STAY SAFE IN GREECE
If you can't afford travel insurance, you really can't afford to travel. As the current global situation has taught many people, things can go wrong anywhere in the world - and insurance is often the only way of mitigating any issues with minimal expense or stress for you.
Here are our recommendations, based on 8+ years of full-time travel:
FOR TRAVELLERS | HeyMondo - COVID-19 coverage, comprehensive travel + medical insurance, an app with 24-hour medical support, and no out-of-pocket fees. *Get 5% off your policy by booking through our link here.
FOR DIGITAL NOMADS | SafetyWing - COVID-19 coverage, comprehensive travel & medical, and policies can be purchased while already abroad.
CAR INSURANCE | Insurance4CarHire - a great annual car insurance policy
PLANNING A TRIP TO GREECE SOON?
Check out these essential guides, travel tips, and more to help you plan your trip:
THE BEST OF NAXOS | Top things to do on Naxos, Where to stay on Naxos Island, Things to do in Chora Town, A guide to the pretty town of Halki, A guide to Plaka Beach, Agios Prokopios,
SANTORINI ATTRACTIONS | Our complete Santorini Guide, The best of Santorini, A complete guide to Oia, Santorini, Exploring the stunning Ammoudi Bay, Our guide to hiking Skaros Rock, How and where to find the best Santorini sunsets, where to stay in Santorini, How to get from Athens to Santorini
EXPLORE PAROS | The best things to do on Paros, A guide to Naoussa town, A guide to Lefkes, A short guide to Parikia Paros, Where to stay on Paros, How to get from Athens to Paros Island
MYKONOS DREAMING | What to see and do on Mykonos
GREECE SAILING | This is what it’s like to sail the Greek Saronic Islands with Medsailors
PHOTOGRAPHY | Love our photography? Wondering what gear we use to get all of our photos around the world? Click here to view our detailed photography gear guide, as well as our top travel photography tips!
RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL | Responsible travel is important. REALLY IMPORTANT. Learn our top responsible travel tips to help you, your family and your friends travel more consciously around the globe
ECO-FRIENDLY PACKING ESSENTIALS | Don’t leave home without our favourite eco-friendly travel essentials
PLAN YOUR NAXOS TRIP WITH OUR USEFUL GUIDES
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That, and you're officially a legend.