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How to get from Folegandros to Ios by ferry

Dave Briggs
By Dave Briggs · Published 2022-02-12 · Last updated 2026-09-13
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There are 1 or 2 ferries per day sailing from Folegandros to Ios in the high season. The crossing travel time is about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Ferry Snapshot: Folegandros to Ios

  • Sailings on 12 of the next 14 days
  • Crossing time from 30 min, up to 1 h 25 min
  • Earliest departure 10:00, latest 23:15
  • Operated by Fast Ferries, Hellenic Seaways, Maistros Santorini N.E. and Seajets
  • Tickets from €5
  • Boats on this route typically have: vehicle garage, cafe bar, shop, Wi-Fi, outside deck, lift
Folegandros to Ios September 2026 Ferry Timetable
DepartsDaysDurationFerry
10:00Mon, Fri1 h 09 minMaistros Santorini N.E. – Maistros SantoriniBook
10:30Sat only, from 19 Sep1 h 15 minHellenic Seaways – ArtemisBook
12:50Daily, until 21 Sep30 minSeajets – Olympic Champion JetBook
21:50Mon only1 h 20 minFast Ferries – Dionisios SolomosBook
22:25Fri only, from 18 Sep until 25 Sep1 h 25 minFast Ferries – Dionisios SolomosBook
23:15Wed only1 h 20 minFast Ferries – Dionisios SolomosBook
Folegandros to Ios October 2026 Ferry Timetable
DepartsDaysDurationFerry
10:00Mon, Fri, until 16 Oct1 h 09 minMaistros Santorini N.E. – Maistros SantoriniBook
10:30Sat only1 h 15 minHellenic Seaways – ArtemisBook
21:50Mon only, until 26 Oct1 h 20 minFast Ferries – Dionisios SolomosBook
22:25Fri only1 h 25 minFast Ferries – Dionisios SolomosBook
23:15Wed only, from 7 Oct1 h 20 minFast Ferries – Dionisios SolomosBook

Snapshot updated 13 September 2026 from published operator timetables (currently released to 31 August 2027). Booking links may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.

On this page
  1. Visiting Ios after Folegandros
  2. Folegandros Ios Ferry Route
  3. Ferry Operators Folegandros to Ios
  4. Ios Island Travel Tips
  5. Explore Ios
  6. How to take the journey from Folegandros to Ios FAQ
Traveling Folegandros to Ios by ferry in Greece

Visiting Ios after Folegandros

The Greek island of Ios can be a good choice as the island you visit next after Folegandros. Although the nature of these two Cyclades islands are quite different, you'll get to experience a different destination.

Ios has a little bit of a reputation as a party island for twenty somethings, but there is much more to it than that. There are some excellent hiking trails, glorious beaches, and the sunsets in Ios are out of this world!

Ios is only 25 miles away from Folegandros as well, making it a quick ferry ride.

An amazing sunset over the Cyclades island of Ios in Greece

Folegandros Ios Ferry Route

There isn't an airport in the Cyclades island of Ios, so the only way to go to from Folegandros to Ios is to use a ferry.

During the the busiest months of summer, you can expect 1 or 2 ferries a day from Folegandros to Ios. Which companies run these ferries to Ios from Folegandros changes with the season, so check the snapshot above to see who is sailing at the moment.

The quickest ferry journey from Folegandros going to Ios takes around 1 hour and 10 minutes. The slowest ferry boat sailing to Ios from Folegandros island takes around 1 hour and 20 minutes.

Check out Ferryscanner which has all the information you need about the crossings, including the latest ferry schedule and ticket prices.

Ferry Operators Folegandros to Ios

As mentioned, Blue Star Ferries, Zante ferries, and Maistros Santorini have all run this crossing in recent seasons.

If Blue Star Ferries are running when you travel, take a look at their timetables on Ferryscanner, and see if you can get one to fit your itinerary. The slower conventional boats have usually been the cheapest way to get to Ios from Folegandros island.

Ios Island Travel Tips

A few travel tips for visiting the Cyclades island of Ios:
  • Ferries leave from Karavostasis ferry port in Folegandros. Passengers are advised to be at the port at least a half hour before the boat is due for departure so there is time to board.

  • Arriving ferries dock at the main port, called Gialos in Ios. If you plan to walk up to the Chora, keep in mind that it's only 10 minutes but all uphill.


  • If you are traveling to Ios in the the months of July, August, and September, I strongly advise reserving rooms to rent in Ios a month or so in advance.

  • For some quality beach time, head to these beaches in Ios: Loretzaina , Manganari, Kalamos, Agia Theodoti, Milopotas, and Psathi. Take a look at my guide Best things to do in Ios

  • The easiest way of checking fares, travel times, and booking ferry tickets in Greece is by using Ferryscanner. I think it's better that you book your Folegandros to Ios ferry tickets in advance, especially during the busiest time of summer.



Explore Ios

Most younger people go to Ios for the party scene. Other go for the beaches. In addition, some extras sights and attractions to keep a watch out for include:

Chora in Ios is just above the main port

How to take the journey from Folegandros to Ios FAQ

A few of the questions readers who visit my website have about itineraries to Ios from Folegandros include:

How can we get to Ios from Folegandros?

The only way to make the journey from Folegandros to Ios is by taking a ferry. There are 7 to 9 ferries per week sailing to the island of Ios from Folegandros, and the distance is about 38kms.

How many hours is the ferry from Folegandros to Ios?

The ferries making the trip to the Greek island of Ios from Folegandros take between 1 hour and 10 minutes and 1 hour and 20 minutes. Ferry operators on the Folegandros Ios route may include Blue Star Ferries, Zante ferries, and Maistros Santorini.

Which ferry companies sail from Folegandros to Ios?

Blue Star Ferries, Zante ferries, and Maistros Santorini have all run direct ferries to Ios from Folegandros in recent seasons. Which companies are sailing changes from season to season, so check the current line up before you book.

How do I buy ferry tickets to Ios?

The best place to buy tickets online is Ferryscanner. I think it's better that you book your Folegandros to Ios ferry tickets in advance, but you could also wait until you are in Greece, and use a travel agency.

I hope this guide has provided you with all the answers you need on getting between the Greek islands of Folegandros and Ios. Do you have any questions to add? Have you sailed this route and have a favourite ferry operator, found a way to keep the cost of Greek island hopping down, or have any other travel insights to share? Leave a comment below!

Ios to Folegandros Ferry Guide

When should I be at the ferry port in Folegandros?

Get down to Karavostasis at least half an hour before your boat is due out. Boarding is quick, but the queue for the ramp does build up.

Dave Briggs, writer at Dave's Travel Pages
Dave Briggs
Dave is a UK travel writer living in Athens since 2015. With 20 years of firsthand travel experience and over 80,000 km of bicycle touring across six continents, he's been blogging at Dave's Travel Pages since 2005. Every guide is based on places he's actually been.
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