Piraeus to Mykonos takes about 2 hours 40 minutes on the fastest catamaran and around 5 hours 15 minutes on a conventional Blue Star ferry. Blue Star Ferries and Seajets sell the route. Foot passengers board at Piraeus gates E6 and E7 and arrive at Tourlos, the new port, from where a KTEL bus reaches Mykonos town in about 30 minutes. Frequency collapses out of season, roughly 26 crossings a week in June–September, about three a week from October to May.
Mykonos looks like a year-round destination and behaves like a summer one. Between June and September there are multiple daily crossings; from October the fast ferries stop and the remaining conventional sailings are sparse enough that a missed booking can cost you a day.
The crossing itself is straightforward. The two things that catch people out are the Piraeus gate (which follows the vessel) and the arrival port: Tourlos is not Mykonos town, and the bus is not always waiting.
- Piraeus gate assignments follow the vessel, not the company: Blue Star's Mykonos ships use E6 for foot passengers and E7 with a vehicle. Seajets publishes no gate at all.
- The route is highly seasonal: about 26 sailings a week in summer, roughly three a week from October to May.
- Tourlos is not Mykonos town. The KTEL bus takes about 30 minutes and runs roughly hourly, mostly in daylight.
- Catamarans are cancelled first in a meltemi. Rebooking everyone onto the conventional ship does not work in high season.
- Return legs sell out in July and August. Book both directions at the same time.
Step by step: the day of the crossing
For a foot passenger, the sequence at Piraeus is check-in, gate, boarding, but the gate is the variable that costs people the sailing.
- T-24 hConfirm the vessel and gate on the operator's app; Blue Star Paros uses E6/E7, and Seajets' gate is only shown at the port.
- T-90 minReach Piraeus on M1/M3, then walk or take the free shuttle to gates E6/E7.
- T-60 minBe at the gate with ticket and ID; foot passengers board separately from the car lane at E6.
- T-20 minBoard, stow your bag, and take a deck seat for the Syros/Tinos approach.
- On arrivalAt Tourlos, walk to the bus stop by Ferry Dock 1 and take the KTEL bus to Fabrika (about 30 min, €2–3) or a taxi to your accommodation.
Blue Star's port map assigns its Mykonos-bound ships to E6 for foot passengers and E7 for passengers with vehicles, but the assignment is per vessel. Seajets does not publish a gate at all, so confirm on the departure board.
Which operator should you choose?
Two operators, two products: a fast catamaran for time, a conventional ferry for reliability and cars.
| Operator | Crossing | Sailings | Foot passengers | Vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Star Ferries Conventional ship with a car deck. |
5h 14m | daily, year-round | Yes | Yes |
| Seajets Fast catamaran, more weather-sensitive. |
2h 40m | several a day in summer | Yes | Yes |
In strong meltemi conditions the catamaran is the first to be cancelled, and rebooking everyone onto the conventional ship rarely works in high season. If the crossing is a connection rather than a holiday, take the conventional ferry.
What the crossing costs
Catamaran fares run higher and fluctuate more; conventional ferry fares are cheaper and more stable.
| Ticket | Typical price | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Foot passenger, one way | from €44 | Lowest standard adult fare, November 2026 |
Return tickets bought as two one-way bookings can cost more than an open return, and the cheap seats sell out first in July and August.
The ports: where you actually board
Piraeus is a large working port; Tourlos is a purpose-built new port outside Mykonos town.
Port of Piraeus, gates E6 (passengers only) and E7 (passengers and vehicles)
Blue Star's port map puts Blue Star Paros (Syros–Tinos–Mykonos) at gates E6 for foot passengers and E7 for passengers with vehicles, and Blue Star Myconos (Syros–Mykonos–Ikaria–Fourni–Samos) at Gate E7. Seajets' catamarans use the same port but their gate is not published on the operator's site, so read the port displays.
Getting there: Metro M1 and M3 terminate at Piraeus station beside the port, about 20 minutes from Syntagma, about 60 minutes direct from the airport on M3. Gates E1–E12 line the quays; allow 15–20 minutes to walk to E6/E7 or take the free port shuttle.
Tourlos (New Port of Mykonos)
The Municipal Port Fund of Mykonos runs the New Port at Tourlos for ferry and cruise traffic; the Old Port in Chora is for smaller vessels and yacht berthing. The port has passenger waiting shelters, WCs, free Wi-Fi and a ticket booth beside the bus stop near Ferry Dock 1.
Getting there: KTEL buses link Tourlos with Chora: to Fabrika (south bus station) roughly hourly from 09:30 to 22:30, about 30 minutes, €2–3, and to the Old Port/north station hourly from 09:20 to 22:20 in about 20 minutes; the airport run takes about 15 minutes. Tickets come from the driver (cash) or the booth by the stop, and buses fill up fast after a ferry.
Tourlos has no town attached. The KTEL bus to Chora runs roughly hourly from morning to late evening in summer and takes about 30 minutes. Do not assume it runs to the last ferry in winter.
Cars, pets and luggage
By car: At least 60 minutes before departure; the Piraeus Port Authority asks vehicle owners to be in the waiting area 1 hour before sailing
Pets: Blue Star issues free pet tickets at booking; they are not sold on board. Bring the animal's health book and microchip number.
Luggage: Catamarans limit luggage more strictly than conventional ferries. Oversized bags go in the hold at boarding.
Season and timetable: About 26 sailings a week from June to September, falling to roughly three a week from October to May, when the fast ferries stop.
Alternatives worth comparing
Rafina is much closer to Athens Airport than Piraeus, and the island-hopping route via Syros is often cheaper than the direct catamaran.
Rafina → Mykonos (Golden Star Ferries, 4h 30m)
Rafina is far closer to Athens Airport than Piraeus; Golden Star, Fast Ferries and Seajets all sell the route, with fares around €35.50–€38.00 and crossings of 4h 30m–4h 40m. Slower than the Piraeus catamaran but much better for a same-day flight connection.
Piraeus → Syros (Blue Star or Seajets) then Syros → Mykonos
Blue Star Paros reaches Mykonos via Syros in about 5h 14m; buying the through ticket costs nothing extra, and Syros makes a quieter overnight stop if Mykonos beds are full.
Piraeus → Mykonos on the conventional Blue Star ship only
About 5h 14m, roughly half the price of the catamaran and much less likely to be cancelled when the meltemi blows.
Before you book: checklist
Frequently asked questions
How long is the ferry from Piraeus to Mykonos?
About 2h 40m on the fastest catamaran and around 5h 15m on a conventional Blue Star ferry.
How often does it run?
Several times a day in summer, dropping to roughly three sailings a week from October to May.
Which port do I arrive at?
Tourlos, the new port outside Mykonos town. KTEL buses connect it with Chora in about 30 minutes.
Can I take a car?
Yes, on the conventional Blue Star sailings. Catamarans carry foot passengers only.