How to get from Athens to Mykonos – 2019 Travel Guide

A complete and up-to-date guide on how to get from Athens to Mykonos 2019. Includes flights and ferries to Mykonos from Athens, and which way is best.

Visiting Mykonos in Greece

Mykonos is one of the most popular Greek islands to visit, often in combination with other destinations. One of the most popular combinations is the Athens, Santorini and Mykonos itinerary for example.

As a result, many people often ask me about the best way to get from Athens to Mykonos. To save you hours of research, I've pulled together as much information as I can in one place here!

The short answer: It is possible to travel to Mykonos from Athens by boat, or by plane. There are numerous boats and a few air companies on this popular route.

The slightly longer answer is: The best way to get from Athens to Mykonos really depends on a lot of factors, like how early you want to book your ticket, whether you have time constraints, and if you like travelling by boat.

This travel blog lists all the possible ways to get from Athens to Mykonos in 2019. First though….

What is so special about Mykonos?

Mykonos is a very popular destination with tourists and locals alike, especially in July and August. In fact, it was popular long before Santorini got famous around the world.

People like Marlon Brando and Jackie Kennedy had visited in the 1960s, when the island was still pure. At the time there was no port or airport on the island, so people had to be transported on small boats.

These days, Mykonos has a busy port and an international airport, and it’s one of the most famous destinations in the Mediterranean.

What to expect in Mykonos

Mykonos brings up images of wild parties, clubbing, the Greek – and not only – jet set, the rich and famous, a thriving LGBT scene, and also nice beaches, naturism, and awarded restaurants.

Check out this article on things to do in Mykonos, and this other one on the 10 best Mykonos tours and day trips.

High season in Mykonos is much shorter than Santorini’s high season, but it is quite intense.

As such, accommodation and transportation can generally be booked out weeks in advance, so if you are travelling in high season, make sure you book early.

There is still a chance that you will get last minute rooms and tickets, but they cannot be guaranteed, or you will be left with the most expensive options.

So, you're sold on Mykonos, let's look how to get there from Athens.

How to get to Mykonos from Athens

This article is divided into the following sections. Either scroll down, or jump through to the section that interests you most.

Athens to Mykonos by boat

While Mykonos has had an airport since the early seventies, going there by boat is a very popular option. With some boats taking just over two hours to get there, it’s an easy weekend destination from Athens.

If you choose to go by boat, you will get to see some of the Aegean Sea and a few other islands on the way.

Depending on the route you take, the boat will first stop at some of the following islands – Andros, Tinos, Syros, Paros and Naxos. Make sure you get to the deck to take photos of the ports!

There are several websites where you can check routes and buy boat tickets from Athens to Mykonos. One of the best is https://www.ferryhopper.com/en/, where you can find itineraries for most boats in Greece.

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Choosing a ferry to Mykonos from Athens

If you do a quick search, you will see that there are a range of boats going from Athens to Mykonos on a daily basis. In peak season, there can be anywhere up to 16 boats per day going to Mykonos.

There are several types of boats going from Athens to Mykonos. Some are bigger boats that take 4-5 hours to reach Mykonos but cost less, and others are smaller, faster boats that are more expensive but can get you to the island in half the time.

Ticket prices vary widely, ranging from 29 to 85 euro for seats, and up to 90 for a cabin, which is only available in a few boats. There are several discounts for children, depending on age, and some companies offer a 50% discount for ISIC holders.

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Book ferry tickets to Mykonos

Unlike flight prices that will typically increase a lot on the days before a flight, boat ticket prices are always the same.

In high season, even the most expensive boat tickets can be sold out, so make sure you book in advance, especially if your dates are set or you want a specific type of seat.

The days before Easter, the time around the Holy Spirit day (a Monday Bank holiday in May or June, falling on a different day every year) and pretty much all of July and August, can get really busy with holidaymakers.

All boats depart from the two biggest ports of Athens, which are Pireaus and Rafina. The trip from Rafina is quicker than the one from Pireaus.

As Pireaus port is quite big and chaotic, it is probably best to depart from Rafina if you can, which is also a lot closer to the airport than Pireaus.

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Getting from Athens to Mykonos on Blue Star Ferries

One of the best known ferry companies in Greece is Blue Star Ferries. There are many Blue Star boats, typically named “Blue Star” plus the name of an island.

These boats are quite big, and they carry passengers and vehicles. They have restaurants, cafes, lounges, and even small shops selling clothes and books.

There are one or two boats daily depending on the day of the week and the season, taking just over 5 hours from Pireaus to Mykonos.

The cheapest option is to get a deck (economy) seat, which costs 38 euros, or a couple euros more in high season.

A deck seat means that you don’t have a reserved seat, which can get a little tricky in summer as you may not be able to find a seat you like.

Occasionally, and if you book months in advance, you can get non-refundable offer economy tickets for 20 euros.

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Getting the best seat on the ferry

The best option is to get a numbered “airplane” seat inside the boat for 43 euros. This gives you the option to walk around the boat and the deck if you wish.

As the A/C is set to rather low temperature, make sure you bring a light jacket. There is also a business class option and several different cabin options, but as the trip isn’t too long they are probably not be worth it.

If time isn’t really an issue, by all means take the slow ferry, and enjoy your trip on the deck. Don’t forget to get on the deck and see the beautiful ports of Tinos and Syros on your way to Mykonos.

You can check all the Blue Star Ferries here www.bluestarferries.com

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Getting from Athens to Mykonos on the Hellenic SeaJet ferries

If you want to get to Mykonos as quickly as possible, your best choice is one of the high-speed ferries run by the Hellenic SeaJet company.

The word “Jet” is typically included in their name, and for good reason. The SeaJets will take you from Athens to Mykonos in 2 hours 10 minutes to 2 hours 40 minutes, depending on the boat.

There are currently quite a few SeaJet boats going to Mykonos, most of them departing from Rafina. They differ a lot in terms of size and seating areas – Sifnos Jet is quite small and takes no vehicles. If you get seasick easily, it’s best to avoid that one.

The SeaJets have two or three types of indoor seats – standard, business and VIP. There are no cabins and there is only a small deck where you aren’t really supposed to stay for the entire trip.

Standard fare is between 43-48 euro for boats departing from Rafina, and just under 60 for the World Champion departing from Pireaus. Business or VIP seats cost 10-25 euros extra.

Check all the SeaJet boats out here https://www.seajets.gr/learn-about-seajets/fleet

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Getting from Athens to Mykonos on the Golden Star ferries

The Golden Star ferries are a company operating both slow and speedy boats from Athens to Mykonos. Most of the boats depart from Rafina.

Superferry I and II can both carry vehicles and they take around 4.5 hours to get to Mykonos. The deck seat costs 29 euro, and there are airplane seat and business class options.

If you want a quicker trip, you can go for either Superrunner or Superspeed. Standard tickets cost 45 euro, and you will be in Mykonos in less than 3 hours.

Note that the Superspeed is a smaller boat with no vehicle capacity, and your trip can be a little uncomfortable if it’s windy.

Finally, watch out for the Supercat ferry, taking just over 8 hours. This ferry does a circle route, stopping at many islands.

While it’s not a smart option for the Athens-Mykonos route, it’s one of the best options if you are going from Santorini to Mykonos.

You can check the Golden Star Ferries here https://goldenstarferries.gr/en/our-fleet/

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Getting from Athens to Mykonos on the Fast Ferries

There is one more ferry company travelling from Rafina to Mykonos, called Fast Ferries. Their two bigger boats, Theologos and Fast Ferries Andros, both offer budget options at 29 euro for deck seats.

Their faster boat, Golden Express, which was launched earlier in 2019, and costs 45 euro for a shorter trip of 2 hours 50 minutes. If you are budget conscious, this company offers the best value.

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Buying boat tickets from Athens to Mykonos – Which company to choose?

As mentioned above, one of the best ways to compare ticket prices and availability is a provider called Ferryhopper.

In terms of which company to choose, the only suggestion is to avoid the smaller passenger boats that don’t carry vehicles, as mentioned above, especially if you are a bit sensitive to sea sickness. Get a numbered seat, explore the boat and go out to take in the views.

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Buying boat tickets from Athens to Mykonos

It is important to know that you can buy your ticket online but unfortunately you can’t print it for the time being.

If you buy your ticket through Ferryhopper, they can deliver it to your hotel in Athens for an extra fee of 10 euros. Otherwise, you can pick it up from the port agents at any time before your departure.

If you are planning to pick it up just before your trip, make sure you are at the port very well in advance, as there will be more people queuing for the same reason.

Another option which is not recommended in high season is to get your tickets from an agency after you arrive to Greece. This works well for people who have no set plans, but if you have booked your accommodation already there is no reason why you shouldn’t book your boat tickets.

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Getting to Pireaus Port from the Athens airport and central Athens

In order to get to Pireaus from central Athens, you can get the green metro line, or maybe a taxi. Metro tickets cost 1.40, while the taxi shouldn’t be much more than 10 euro – make sure you check if your driver is using the meter.

To get to Pireaus port from the airport, you can use the Express Bus X96, the metro or the suburban railway.

The bus is actually the easiest option, as it leaves from just outside the airport terminal and there are 3-4 buses per hour.

Tickets cost 6 euro – you will need to buy them at the kiosk just outside the bus and validate them on board.

Metro and suburban railway tickets cost 10 euro – if you are using the metro, you will need to change lines in Monastiraki station. You can also take a taxi, which should be around 50 euro.

Getting to Pireaus from the airport can take you anything from 45-50 minutes by taxi, to an hour and a half or so, if you take the bus.

If you are taking a boat from Pireaus to Mykonos, make sure you get there early – Pireaus is big and you will need to find your gate. Boats to Mykonos depart from gates E6 / E7, which is very close to Pireaus metro / suburban railway station.

Here you can see a map of Pireaus port https://travel.viva.gr/Media/Media/ferries/Piraeus-Map.png If you can’t read this, don’t worry – our quick Greek lesson will help! 

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Getting to Rafina Port from the Athens airport and central Athens

If you are planning to take a boat from Athens to Mykonos just after you have arrived at the Athens airport, Rafina port makes more sense. Not only is it a smaller (and less busy) port, but it’s also a lot closer to the airport.

A taxi to Rafina will cost less than 30 euro and will take you a half hour. There are also direct buses from the airport – the tickets cost 3 euro and you get them on board. The service departs at irregular hours which can be found here http://ktelattikis.gr/en/en_airport_timetable

If you are in central Athens, you can take a KTEL bus to Rafina from Pedion tou Areos, close to Victoria metro station in central Athens. This bus only costs 2.60 euro, and you can see timetables here: http://ktelattikis.gr/en/en_marathon_makri

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Flying from Athens to Mykonos

If you are arriving at Athens International airport with an aim to head to Mykonos straightaway, you might want to check flights, since you will already be at the airport.

Flying from Athens to Mykonos only takes 40-45 minutes, so if time is important it’s a good option.

Airfares from Athens to Mykonos tend to be on the expensive side for such a short trip. Prices vary a lot, depending on when you are flying and how early you book your ticket, but expect to pay over 100 euro for a return ticket in the best case.

At the time of writing, four companies fly from Athens to Mykonos – Olympic Airways (Greek), Ellinair (Greek), Volotea (Spanish) and SkyExpress (Greek). Ryanair used to fly but no longer does – at some point they had one way tickets for 5 euro!

I’ve covered the air companies in another article covering transportation from Athens to Santorini but here is a short summary:

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Flying from Athens to Mykonos with Olympic Air / Aegean Airlines

Olympic Air / Aegean Airlines is a generally reliable and service oriented company, and they have won multiple awards.

The lowest priced ticket option, called GoLight, includes a standard piece of hand luggage and a personal item. If you want checked luggage you have to pay for it.

One-way ticket prices from Athens to Mykonos start from about 50 euro in low season, but can cost over 200 euro at peak season or if you book last minute.

Check out their website https://en.aegeanair.com/ and here https://www.olympicair.com/en

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Flying from Athens to Mykonos with Ellinair

Ellinair’s is a smaller Greek company. Their popularity has been steadily increasing, perhaps because they offer one piece of checked luggage of up to 20 kg for free, along with the 8 kg hand luggage and a personal item.

They don’t have services every day, but if your schedule is flexible check them out.

This is their website www.ellinair.com

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Flying from Athens to Mykonos with Volotea

The Spanish company Volotea has several flights per day in summer. If you get past their rather confusing booking system, you can actually get very good deals for flights from Athens to Mykonos, especially if you don’t need any add-ons.

They also have a MegaVolotea membership, for even lower prices. If you are prepared to fly at odd times, it is possible to get a really good deal, for under 30 euro return.

Check them out at www.volotea.com

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Flying from Athens to Mykonos with SkyExpress

SkyExpress is a small Greek company flying within Greece, however the flights are not always picked up by SkyScanner or Kayak. The basic fare includes a personal item and a piece of hand luggage of up to 8 kg, which has to be checked in.

Have a look at www.skyexpress.gr

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Flying from Athens to Mykonos – Which company is the best?

As the flight from Athens to Mykonos is very short, some people will just go with the lower budget option. Olympic Air and Ellinair are constantly rated highly, with Ellinair offering checked luggage for free.

If you are flying Mykonos just after you have arrived from abroad, allow enough time for customs, immigration etc. I would suggest at least a couple of hours between your arrival and your flight to Mykonos.

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Tips for buying flight tickets from Athens to Mykonos

Search engines are the way to go, but you might want to check SkyExpress separately, as their flights might not appear on Kayak or Skyscanner.

At the same time, if you know that you are going to Mykonos months before your trip, make sure you subscribe to the companies’ newsletters, to be informed of any promotions they may be running.

Apart from those promotions, ticket prices rarely go down, so it’s best to book them when you know your dates.

On arrival at Mykonos Airport, you can have a taxi waiting for you at no extra cost. Here's the easy way to get and airport taxi at Mykonos airport.

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The best way to get from Athens to Mykonos

All things considered, the best way to get from Athens to Mykonos will not be the same for everyone.

If time is the main concern, a flight will be the way to go. However, if budget is more of a concern, taking the slow boats will generally be your best option.

That said, make sure you check airlines from time to time – Volotea in particular might have really good deals.

In our case, living in Athens, a slow boat ride from Rafina would be our preferred option – it’s a less chaotic port, so you don’t need to be there hours in advance, and the trip is really pleasant.

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Further Reading

How to get from Mykonos to Santorini