How to Get From Athens to Naxos: Ferry, Flight and Everything You Need to Know
Getting from Athens to Naxos is straightforward once you know the options. Two operators run the ferry route from Piraeus with up to seven daily sailings and affordable pricecs. Direct flights are faster but cost considerably more. Here's everything you need to choose the right option for your trip.
UPDATED JUNE 2026
Getting from Athens to Naxos is one of the more enjoyable parts of a Greek island trip, once you know which option suits you best.
The ferry is our strong recommendation.
We took it multiple times during our months in the islands - it's actually pleasant, and the approach to Naxos by sea, with the Portara Gate visible from the water long before you dock, is one of the great Cycladic arrival moments and will set the tone for your stay.
It's also considerably cheaper than flying and, for most travellers, not much slower once you factor in airport time.
That said, if time is the priority, a direct domestic flight from Athens gets you to Naxos in 40 minutes. This guide covers both options so you can choose based on your budget, timeline and what kind of traveller you are.
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HOW TO GET FROM ATHENS TO
NAXOS ISLAND
FERRY DEPARTURES | Up to 7 per day from Piraeus
FERRY COST | From €52 economy on conventional ferry, €85-95 on high-speed
FERRY TIME | 3 hours 15 minutes (high-speed SeaJets) to 5-6 hours (Blue Star conventional)
OPERATORS | Blue Star Ferries (conventional) and SeaJets (high-speed)
BOOK | FerryHopper, our recommended booking platform
FLIGHT DEPARTURES | Up to 6 per day in peak summer
FLIGHT TIME | 40 minutes
FLIGHT COST | From €150 per person
FLIGHT OPERATORS | Olympic Air and Sky Express
WHERE IS NAXOS ISLAND?
Naxos sits in the heart of the Cyclades, approximately 192km southeast of Athens, with Paros just 30 minutes away by ferry to the west and Mykonos an hour to the north.
Chora, the island's capital, sits on the western coast and is where all ferries arrive. It's the main starting point for exploring Naxos - from here, the beaches are a short bus ride or drive away, and the mountain villages open up once you have transport sorted.
For everything else worth knowing before you arrive, our Naxos Island Guide covers it all.
ATHENS TO NAXOS FERRY
The ferry is the right way to get to Naxos.
We'd say that having done it multiple times, it's comfortable, affordable, and the approach to the island by sea is one of the better arrival experiences in the Cyclades.
Two operators run the Athens to Naxos route from Piraeus: Blue Star Ferries on conventional ferries and SeaJets on high-speed catamarans.
Both are reliable. The choice between them comes down to time versus cost.
THE CONVENTIONAL FERRY (BLUE STAR)
The slower option takes 5-6 hours, but it is considerably more spacious and comfortable. There's much more room to move around, the outside decks are genuinely pleasant on a clear day, and the views as you pass through the Cyclades are excellent.
On a nice morning with headphones in and a coffee from the onboard café, it's one of the better ways to spend a morning in Greece.
THE HIGH-SPEED FERRY (SEAJETS)
Gets you to Naxos in around 3 hours and 15 minutes.
Aeroplane-style seating is considerably pricier and can be rougher in strong winds. The right choice if time is the priority, it’s less enjoyable as an experience, but efficient.
Both options are good.
On a longer trip where the journey itself can be part of the experience, we'd take the conventional ferry every time.
TICKET OPTIONS AND PRICES
CONVENTIONAL FERRY (BLUE STAR)
Economy deck seating from €52. Numbered seats (guaranteed, with power sockets on most vessels) from €57, which is worth the small premium in peak season.
Business class from €70-80. Private cabins (1-4 berths) from €84.
Our recommendation: book a numbered seat. Deck seating is fine on a calm day, but a guaranteed spot with a power socket is worth it in July and August when the ferries are busy.
HIGH-SPEED FERRY (SEAJETS)
Economy from €85-95. Business/VIP from €105-140.
Every seat is numbered and assigned, airline-style.
Our recommendation: the economy is perfectly comfortable for a 3-hour crossing. The VIP upgrade is not worth the premium.
HOW TO BOOK
FerryHopper is the easiest way to compare routes, operators and times, pay securely and receive your e-ticket directly to your phone. We used it throughout our time in the islands and found it considerably more straightforward than booking directly through the ferry company websites.
Book well in advance for July and August, as popular sailings sell out, particularly on SeaJets.
The Athens to Naxos route also stops at Paros, which means it carries a lot of passengers in peak season.
Arrive at Piraeus at least one hour before departure. The port is large, and finding the right gate takes a few minutes.
HOW LONG IS THE CROSSING?
High-speed SeaJets: around 3 hours 15 minutes to 4 hours. Conventional Blue Star: around 5 to 6 hours. Journey times vary by season, weather and tides — check current schedules on FerryHopper before travelling.
Grab food and drinks in Piraeus before boarding. The onboard café is fine but Piraeus has considerably better options.
WHERE IS PIREAUS PORT & HOW TO GET THERE
Piraeus is Athens's main port, located about 10km southwest of the city centre, a separate suburb rather than part of Athens itself.
It's the largest port in Greece and one of the busiest in the Mediterranean, so allow plenty of time and arrive at least 60 minutes before your ferry departs.
Ferries to Paros depart from Gates E6, E7 and E9; check your specific gate on the day.
METRO | The easiest and cheapest option. Take Metro Line 1 (Green Line) from Monastiraki or Omonia — the journey takes around 25 minutes and costs €1.50. From Piraeus station, it's a short walk to the port. There are cafes and food spots nearby if you want to grab supplies before boarding.
TAXI / UBER | A direct taxi from central Athens takes 20–30 minutes, depending on traffic, and costs around €35–45. Worth it if you have a lot of luggage or are travelling in a group. Note: if you're coming from Athens Airport, a taxi to Piraeus takes 45–60 minutes and costs around €55–65.
RAFINA PORT — worth knowing about | If you're flying into Athens Airport and heading straight to the ferry, Rafina port on the east coast is a much better option than Piraeus. It's only 20–30 minutes from the airport by taxi (around €25–30), ferries to Paros run from here too, and you avoid the entire Athens city centre. Tickets from Rafina start from €43.
BUS | Several routes run from central Athens to Piraeus, including 040, 049 and X80. Journey time is 30–45 minutes, depending on traffic. Fine if you're not in a rush and travelling light.
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
You can fly direct from Athens to Naxos year-round, with Olympic Air and Sky Express operating up to six daily flights in peak summer. The flight takes 40 minutes.
There's a caveat: Naxos airport is small and can only handle medium-sized aircraft, which means demand is high and prices follow. Flights start from around €150 per person and climb significantly in July and August. Book well in advance - January to March is the right time to lock in the better prices.
Our honest take: for most travellers, the ferry is the better option. It's cheaper, more comfortable, and the approach to Naxos by sea is genuinely one of the better arrival experiences in the Cyclades.
The flight makes sense if time is very tight or you're combining with islands that are better reached by air.
PRO TIP | Flying to Mykonos or Santorini and taking the ferry to Naxos can sometimes be cheaper and opens up the island-hopping option at the same time.
ATHENS TO NAXOS FLIGHT TIME
40 minutes, depending on weather conditions. Departures from Athens Domestic Terminal at Eleftherios Venizelos Airport.
HOW TO GET TO ATHENS AIRPORT
Athens Airport is 33km from the city centre.
Three options include:
METRO | Our recommended option. The airport metro runs every 30 minutes from 05:40 to 23:30, takes around 40 minutes from central Athens and costs €9 one way or €16 return. Safe, comfortable and air-conditioned.
TAXI / UBER | Around 35 minutes from the city centre, costing €40-60 depending on traffic. Most comfortable with luggage.
BUS | Express buses X95, X96 and X97 connect the airport to central Athens. Allow 45-90 minutes, depending on traffic.
Note | Flights to Naxos depart from the domestic terminal.
HOW TO GET FROM NAXOS AIRPORT TO NAXOS CHORA
Naxos airport is 4km from Chora, a very short transfer.
TAXI | Around €25 to Chora, 10 minutes. Taxis are available during airport operating hours (06:30 to 19:00) but can be limited in peak season. Cash only.
BUS | KTEL bus from the Naxos Camping stop just outside the airport to Chora costs €2.10, takes around 20 minutes. Buses run in coordination with flight arrivals in peak season. Exit the terminal, walk to the Naxos Camping bus stop and board the bus to Chora
CAR RENTAL | If you're hiring a car for your stay, arrange airport pickup in advance via Discover Cars
IS IT BETTER TO FLY OR FERRY FROM ATHENS TO NAXOS?
The ferry. Every time, for most travellers.
It's considerably cheaper, considerably more comfortable than a short domestic flight, and the journey itself is part of the experience rather than something to be endured.
Download a podcast, grab food in Piraeus, find a spot on the outside deck and watch the Cyclades appear one by one across the Aegean. That's a great few hours in our books.
The flight makes sense in two situations: you have very limited time and need to be on the island as quickly as possible, or you're combining Naxos with islands that are easier to reach by air.
Otherwise, the ferry wins on every measure.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO NAXOS ISLAND
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
Here are a few of our picks across every budget.
For the full breakdown by area and property type, our Where to Stay on Naxos guide covers everything in detail.
LUXURY | Naxian Collection - private pool villas in the hills above the southwestern coast. We stayed here. Exceptional for families.
BOUTIQUE | Naxian on the Beach - boho-chic design hotel right on Plaka Beach, attached to Tortuga restaurant
MID-RANGE | Naxian Utopia - hilltop hotel above Agios Prokopios with sweeping Aegean views and private plunge pools
BUDGET | Hotel Francesca - great value near Agios Prokopios Beach, pool included
READ MORE | Our complete Where to Stay on Naxos guide every area, every budget
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 a 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
TRAVEL INSURANCE | STAY SAFE IN GREECE
Honest take: if something goes wrong, a medical emergency, a missed ferry, a scooter accident on a coastal road, travel insurance is the difference between a stressful story and a catastrophic one.
After 10+ years of full-time travel, here's what we use and recommend:
FOR TRAVELLERS | World Nomads offers travel insurance for independent travellers and intrepid families. Their policies offer coverage for more than 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.
Get a quote from World Nomads →
READ | Our ultimate guide to travel insurance
PLANNING A TRIP TO GREECE SOON?
Make the most of your time on Naxos with our essential Greece travel guides.
EXPLORE NAXOS
WHERE TO STAY ON NAXOS
Where to Stay on Naxos Island — hotels, villas and apartments across every budget and neighbourhood
MORE CYCLADES
PLAN YOUR NAXOS TRIP WITH OUR USEFUL GUIDES
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