Andros and Tinos sit next to each other at the northern end of the Cyclades, and both are served by ferries from Rafina, east of Athens. That makes this one of the easiest island pairings in Greece: you can spend a few days on green, walkable Andros and then carry on south to Tinos without going back to the mainland.
The two islands feel quite different. Andros is the second largest of the Cyclades, with springs, streams and a network of footpaths that draws hikers in spring and autumn. Tinos is smaller and more tightly packed with villages, known for the pilgrimage church of Panagia Evangelistria above the harbour, its marble-carving tradition and a food scene that many Greeks travel for. Going from one to the other swaps long walks and quiet coves for village hopping and long lunches.
The crossing itself is short and well served. Fast Ferries and Golden Star Ferries run on most days of the year, Blue Star Ferries adds a weekly sailing, and Seajets high-speed boats appear in Ferryhopper's table for part of the year only. On the busy day we sampled, 12 August 2026, there were 8 departures between 08:50 and 19:45, so in summer you can usually choose between an early start and an evening arrival.
Two things are worth knowing before you book. First, the fare gap is wide: the slower ships were listed from €7.50 to €19 for a seat, while the Seajets boats on our sample day cost €31.10. Second, Tinos fills up around 15 August, the island's great religious feast, when pilgrims arrive from all over Greece. If your dates touch mid-August, book the boat and your room early.
