How to get the ferry from Athens to Sifnos Island in Greece

Taking the ferry from Athens to Sifnos, you'll most likely leave from Piraeus Port. This guide includes Sifnos ferry information such as schedules and times.

Sifnos island in Greece

Even though Sifnos is a relatively famous destination in Greece, it still retains its authenticity. It’s popular among Greeks, not least for its rich culinary tradition, which is renowned all around the country.

Sifnos has a good mix of everything. Lovely beaches and interesting hiking trails, but also great tavernas, nice cafes, and chilled bars.

Combine that with traditional villages, plenty of history and the delicious food, and Sifnos will easily become your next favourite Greek island in the Cyclades.

How to get from Athens to Sifnos

As the island of Sifnos has no airport, the only way to travel from Athens to Sifnos is to take a ferry trip.

During the summer months there are 4 or 5 daily ferries leaving from the main port of Piraeus and sailing the Athens Sifnos route.

The journey time on the quickest Athens ferry to Sifnos crossing is 2 hours and 30 minutes. Slower conventional ferries will have cheaper tickets, but the journey might be 4 or 5 hours.

Ferry companies operating on the Piraeus Sifnos route include SeaJets, Zante Ferries and Aegean Speed Lines.

I find that Ferryhopper is the easiest place to look for up to date timetables and schedules for the ferries from Athens to Sifnos. You can also book Sifnos ferry tickets online using the same site.

Booking ferry tickets from Athens to Sifnos

I find that Ferryhopper is the easiest place to look for up to date timetables, schedules and to check ticket prices for the ferries from Athens to Sifnos.

You can also use their booking engine to book Sifnos ferry tickets online.

It's highly advisable to book online a few months in advance if you plan to travel in the high season month of August when there is a chance that ferries may sell out.

If you prefer, you can also use a travel agency in Greece, book directly with a ferry company, or buy tickets at the port. Honestly though, it's just easier to book ferries online nowadays.

Generally speaking, the faster the boat, the more expensive the ticket is. For example, SeaJets are typically faster crossings to Sifnos from Athens, but more expensive.

More information here: Ferryhopper

Sifnos Island Travel Tips

Make your Sifnos trip planning a little easier with these insights:

• You can get from Athens Airport to Piraeus Port directly on the X96 bus which is the cheapest option. A taxi might cost 50 Euro or more.

• If you want to travel from Athens center to the port of Piraeus, your public transport option include buses and the metro. Use Welcome for booking taxi transfers to and from Piraeus Port.

• Piraeus Port is a large, busy place. Be at the port at least an hour before departure. I've a guide here for you to read: How to get from Athens Airport to Piraeus

• Booking is an easy way to find accommodation and hotels in Sifnos island. The best location to stay on the island would be either Apollonia, Kamares, Platis Gialos, Faros, or Kastro.

• For Sifnos ferry tickets from Athens, check out the Ferryhopper website.

• How to get around Sifnos – During the summer season you can use the local bus services. Car rental or ATV rental might give you more flexibility when it comes to exploring Sifnos.

• Thinking of traveling to other Cyclades islands? Read: How to get from Athens to the Cyclades islands.

What to see in Sifnos Greece

Some of the highlights of Sifnos island you'll want to experience include:

• Observe the local architecture in the main town, Apollonia, and the nearby Artemonas
• Explore the traditional Kastro village, the ancient capital of the island
• Visit the archaeological museum and the chapel of the 7 Martyrs at Kastro
• See as many churches as you possibly can
• Follow one of the numerous hiking trails 
• Taste the famous local chickpea dish, goat meat and local bakery goods
• Enjoy the beautiful beaches like Vroulidia, Seralia, Gialos, Poulati and Glyfo

FAQ About Traveling To Sifnos

People planning to travel between Athens and Sifnos ask similar questions such as:

Where does the ferry arrive in Sifnos?

The port of Sifnos is located in the town of Kamares, which is a 10-minute drive from Apollonia. Around the port, you'll find travel services such as car rentals, a taxi queue, cafes and some grocery stores.

How do you get to Sifnos from Athens?

Sifnos island does not have an airport, so the only way to reach it is by ferry from Athens. During the summer, most of the ferries to Sifnos leave from Piraeus Port, Athens.

How do you get to Sifnos from UK?

There are no direct flights to Sifnos from the UK. The best route, would be to take a flight to Athens International airport, travel to Piraeus Port by taxi or public transport, and then take a ferry from Piraeus to Sifnos.

Where does the Sifnos ferry leave from in Athens?

During the summer, there are up to 4 ferries per day leaving from the port of Piraeus and sailing to Sifnos. There are also occasional, longer ferry connections from Lavrion to Sifnos during summer.

How long is the ferry from Athens to Sifnos?

The quickest ferry from Athens to Sifnos is just 2 hours and 10 minutes. The slowest ferry can take over 8 hours. In terms of prices, the quicker the ferry ride, the more expensive the ticket.