Where To Put Luggage On Greek Ferries

Want to take a ferry in Greece and wondering what to do with your luggage when onboard? Here’s everything you need to know about taking luggage on Greek ferries.

Can I sit with my luggage on a ferry in Greece?

I’m often asked by readers what they should do with their luggage when on a ferry in Greece. The concise answer, is that convention dictates the heavy suitcase stays downstairs in the luggage area, but you can take hand-luggage or carry on up to the decks of the Greek ferry with you.

However, there is no hard and fast rule. All ferries in Greece are different, they have different spaces available for luggage storage, and also the time of year you are traveling may affect what you feel comfortable doing.

In fact, for most Greek ferries, there’s no real rule as to how much luggage you can take with you in the first place. Which leads me to an important point to make – it’s your luggage, so you will be the one carrying it!

I’ll repeat that, as it’s an important thing to keep in mind when traveling by ferry in Greece. No one will help you carry your suitcase on a Greek ferry, so only take what you can cope with!

Related: Book Greek ferries online with: Ferryscanner

What to expect boarding Greek island ferries

The chances are you have arrived in Greece by flying, and so the luggage you took on the plane with you is what you are traveling with. Typically, this is a carry-on bag, and a bigger suitcase of about 20kgs or so. You might also have a tote bag with some snacks for the ferry ride.

You’ll be waiting for your Greek island ferry at the dockside. If you are lucky, you’ll be in the shade either in a covered passenger waiting area or in a cafe. Of course, you’ll be there a little early to make sure of this – I suggest a half an hour before the scheduled departure time.

If you’re not early, you might be out in the sun somewhere. Either way, you are probably going to be hot (it’s warm in Greece!), and maybe a little tired because you’ve either come directly from your International flight, or you wanted the early morning ferry to make the most of your next destination in the Greek islands.

It’s time for boarding your first ferry in Greece! – The cars might go on first, but in some cases there may be a disorganised scrum involving cars and foot passengers all together especially in high season. Eventually, some sort of queue will develop. Sort of.

This queue will be going up a ramp – I hope your bags have wheels! You’ll probably be shuffling forward at this stage, so no major rush.

Finding the luggage racks in a Greek ferry

Once up the ramp, you are probably going to be grateful to just dump your main bag in the luggage rack. The luggage racks are normally near the bottom of the passenger stairs, and for Greek ferries visiting more than one island, they may be divided into sections.

Note: The downstairs decks are out of bounds for passengers while the ferry is sailing. Passengers are called down as ferries approach each island to prepare for disembarkation.

Back to boarding – With just a small carry on and a tote bag, proceeding up the stairs or elevator (if it works!) to the passenger decks is relatively easy. If you have a numbered seat, find a map of the boat to locate it, and if you don’t have a numbered seat, start rushing to find somewhere good to sit!

I suggest finding the cafe area, getting yourself a coffee, and relaxing into the journey.

Can you take your main luggage to the passenger deck?

Now, if you have decided to bring your big luggage bag with you up the stairs along with your carry-on and tote bag a number of things might have happened.

Firstly, the crew of the Greek ferry might insist you leave it in the luggage area so as to not inconvenience other passengers. They are doing you, and everyone else a favour. Trust me.

Secondly, they might not say anything, but now you are faced with walking up three flights of stairs to the passenger deck with a 20kg bag, your carry-on bag, and your tote bag. The first flight was easy, but at the start of the second flight, you realised just how out of shape you were, and what a good idea those luggage racks were after all.

In a third scenario, you got to the top of the stairs with all your luggage (there were only a few people grumbling behind you), but you are now panting and sweating heavily. As you were one of the last up the stairs, you get the worst seating (if you hadn’t numbered seating).

If you had booked a ferry ticket with numbered seating, you now find that you can’t sit with your luggage anyway, and have to put the luggage in storage in the seating area. These are typically behind the seat rows, so you can’t see it from where you sit – which means you might as well have left your luggage downstairs in the first place!

So it’s not worth taking bags to the deck then?

In general, I don’t see much advantage to taking your bags onto the passenger decks of the Greek ferry boats. There’s always exceptions though, but it really comes down to how much you can personally lift and carry yourself.

I’ve previously island hopped in Greece with a main backpack and a smaller day pack, and had no problem carrying it up and down the stairs on ferries. If we decide to stay in a cabin for a longer ferry trip, we might take a bigger bag up with us.

On the whole though, when it comes to luggage, it’s always good to remember that Roman soldiers called luggage impedimenta for a reason!

Still unsure? Try this mental experiment – If you were parked on the second or third floor of a car park, could you walk up the stairs easily with your luggage. If yes, you’ll be able to do it on the ferry. On the other hand, if you think it sounds like a silly idea, leave your bags down in the racks when you board the ferry.

Useful Tips For Taking A Ferry In Greece

Here’s a few suggestions to help you prepare for your Greek ferry ride:

1. Get on the ferry early and find a place to sit in the public areas as quickly as possible if you're traveling in the deck category and don't have an allocated seat.
2. Food and drink is available on board, but it's cheaper to bring your own.
3. If you are prone to motion sickness, consider bringing seasickness pills for rough seas. Conventional ferries tend to offer smoother rides than fast ferries. Fast ferries may not have an outdoor deck if they are of a catamaran design.
4. At busy times of the year, ferries can be crowded. Be prepared for lots of shouting and arm gestures during the embarkation process as staff try to get everyone loaded on board quickly, especially if you're driving your vehicle on board.
5. Check out all ferry routes and book your ferry tickets at Ferryscanner.
6. Greek island hopping is best done either within one island chain or neighboring chains.
7. There is not much difference between most Greek ferry companies. You’ll probably narrow down your choice by the most convenient crossing and price.
8. Rule of thumb: The faster the ferry, the more expensive it is.
9. Don't make the mistake of booking a hotel before booking your ferry tickets. Make sure you can actually get to the island you want to visit first!
10. Allow for potential delays and never book a flight home immediately after expected arrival times at ferry ports.

Greece Ferry Company Luggage Information

Readers planning on using the ferries either for a single trip in Greece or as part of a Greek island hopping adventure often ask questions similar to:

Where do you put your luggage on Greek ferries?

When you board a Greek ferry, there are designated areas where you will be asked to place your luggage. If you have hand luggage, it's best to bring it with you upstairs, even if just to avoid the chaos of finding it upon your arrival at your destination. There is generally plenty of space to store it close to your seat. Most ferries have escalators, but they don't always function, so keep that in mind.

Do you keep your luggage with you on a ferry?

No, you do not need to keep your luggage with you on the ferry at all times. Once you've placed it in the designated area when boarding, you won't need to access it until you reach your destination.

How much luggage can you take on a ferry?

The amount of luggage you can take on a ferry may depend on the specific ferry and the class of your ticket. Generally speaking, there are no strict weight limits, but it's recommended to keep your luggage light as you will be the person who has to carry it!

Can you take luggage on ferry from Santorini to Mykonos?

Yes, you can take luggage on a ferry from Santorini to Mykonos or any other Greek island with a functioning ferry port. Just ensure that you have enough time to board the ship and find space for your luggage before departure. Remember to check timetables and book tickets in advance to secure your spot and avoid any potential issues.

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