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Ferry RouteKOU to JNX

Ferry from Koufonisia to Naxos.

Koufonisia to Naxos. Compare the operators, a real sailing day and dated fares, then search live times for your date.

Fastest crossing
35 minSeajets · checked 24 Sept 2026
Lowest adult fare
€6.99checked 24 Sept 2026
Ferry operators
3Seajets, Blue Star Ferries, Small Cyclades Lines (Express Skopelitis)

Dated numbers: a Ferryhopper check or a one-day timetable sample, never live. The search shows live times and prices.

Compare operators

By George K. · Updated

Search live ferries

Koufonisia to Naxos: live times, seats and prices for your date.

Passengers
2 passengers

Lowest adult fare we found: €6.99, checked 24 September 2026.

Live availability and booking via Ferryhopper, our ferry booking partner.

KoufonisiaNaxos
Map of the ferry route from Koufonisia to Naxos. Coastlines © OpenStreetMap contributors, Natural Earth

How do you get from Koufonisia to Naxos by ferry?

Koufonisia to Naxos has a sailing every day of the year, according to Ferryhopper. Seajets high-speed boats are the quickest at about 35 minutes in summer, while Blue Star Ferries and the Small Cyclades Lines boat Express Skopelitis take roughly two to two and a half hours. When we checked on 24 September 2026, the lowest adult fare was €6.99. Summer adds several fast sailings a day.

Source: Ferryhopper route page and timetable sample · as of

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01Operators compared

Koufonisia to Naxos ferry operators compared.

Who sails this route, on what kind of boat, how long it takes and the lowest adult fare we found.

Ferry companies on the Koufonisia to Naxos route
OperatorVessel typeCrossing timeVehiclesAdult fare from
SeajetsHigh-speed ferryabout 35 to 40 minOn some boats€35
Blue Star FerriesConventional ferryabout 2 hr to 2 hr 15 min on most sailingsCars and motorbikes€7
Small Cyclades Lines (Express Skopelitis)Conventional ferryabout 2 hr 25 min to 2 hr 35 minOn some boats€8

Source: Ferryhopper route page, checked by our editors · as of

  • SeajetsMainly spring to autumn. Last year's data shows fares from €35 to €53 depending on the month.
  • Blue Star FerriesAround 3 to 4 days a week in every month of last year's data; a few sailings were much shorter.
  • Small Cyclades Lines (Express Skopelitis)The local lifeline boat, running 6 to 7 days a week all year in last year's data, with stops at Schinoussa and Iraklia. Limited vehicle space (our operator notes say a few motorcycles at most); check the sailing before you plan to bring one.

02Fares

Koufonisia to Naxos ferry prices.

The lowest fares Ferryhopper showed for each party when we checked on 24 September 2026. Each row can come from a different sailing.

Lowest fares between Koufonisia and Naxos, both directions
PassengersKoufonisia → NaxosNaxos → Koufonisia
1 adult€6.99€7
2 adults€14€14
2 adults and a car€26.50€26.50
2 adults, 2 children and a car€39€34

Source: Ferryhopper route page · checked

Lowest fares shown on Ferryhopper when we checked on 2026-09-24. Fares change with the date, vessel and demand; the booking page shows the current price for your sailing.

Search the return, Naxos to Koufonisia

03Schedule by season

Koufonisia to Naxos ferry schedule by season.

Ferryhopper shows at least one Koufonisia to Naxos sailing every day, all year. In last year's data (the monthly table on the source is labelled as last year's pattern), the Express Skopelitis ran 6 to 7 days a week in every month and Blue Star added 3 or 4 sailings a week year-round. Seajets high-speed boats joined from spring, reached daily service in the peak summer months, and dropped away again in autumn, with no Seajets data for the winter months. In practice that means a choice of several boats a day in July and August, and one or two slower ships a day in winter. We do not have a sampled timetable for this direction, so check departure times on the booking page.

The Journey

The Koufonisia to Naxos crossing.

Leaving Koufonisia is hard for most visitors, but the crossing to Naxos is the easiest way back into the wider Cyclades. Naxos is the hub of the region: from its port you can catch ferries to Paros, Mykonos, Santorini, Ios and Piraeus. For many people this short trip is the first leg of the journey home or on to the next island.

The two places could hardly be more different. Koufonisia is tiny: a single village on Ano Koufonisi, roughly 800 year-round residents, beaches you walk to, and no real need for a car. Naxos is the largest island in the Cyclades, with a lively capital, a long line of sandy beaches on the west coast and mountain villages such as Halki and Apeiranthos in the interior.

Plenty of travellers use this route to split their time: a few days of barefoot island life on Koufonisia, then a longer stay on Naxos with more beaches, restaurants and day trips. It also works in the middle of a Small Cyclades loop, since the local ship calls at Schinoussa and Iraklia on its way.

Before booking, match the boat to your plans. If you have an onward ferry or a flight from Naxos the same day, the fast Seajets service leaves you the most margin in summer. If you are in no hurry and want to save money, the slower ships cost a fraction of the price and let you see the smaller islands up close.

How long the crossing takes

Ferryhopper puts this crossing at 35 minutes to about 2 hr 15 min for most sailings, though the Express Skopelitis appears at 2 hr 25 min to 2 hr 35 min in last year's data. The Seajets high-speed boats are the fastest at around 35 to 40 minutes. Blue Star Ferries usually needs around two hours, although a few of its sailings last year were listed at 45 minutes to an hour. The Express Skopelitis is the slow, scenic option because it zigzags through the Small Cyclades before reaching Naxos. If you have a tight connection on Naxos, compare the arrival times on the booking page rather than the headline durations.

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04The ports

Where the Koufonisia to Naxos ferry docks.

Departure port

Koufonisia

KOU · 36.9333° N 25.6000° E

Ferries leave from the small harbour of Ano Koufonisi, right in the village (Chora). The island is tiny, and our route data describes it as walkable end to end in about 30 minutes, so most people simply walk to the quay with their bags. There are no buses or taxis on the island: you get around on foot or by rented bicycle or scooter, so factor that in if you are staying out of the village. There are a café and a few shops by the port for a last coffee. Our port notes advise being there around 30 minutes before departure.

Arrival port

Naxos

JNX · 37.1066° N 25.3756° E

You arrive at the main port of Naxos in Chora, the island's capital. The quay is steps from the town centre, with shops, restaurants and hotels along the waterfront, and the Portara, the marble gateway of an unfinished ancient temple, is about five minutes' walk along the causeway. The KTEL bus station is about 100 m from the port, with buses to Agios Prokopios, Agia Anna, Plaka, Halki and Apeiranthos. Our route data puts a taxi to Plaka beach at about 10 minutes and €10. Car rental desks are right by the port if you want to explore the interior.

05On Board

On board the Koufonisia to Naxos ferry.

Each boat offers a different ride. The Seajets high-speed vessels have air-conditioned lounges with allocated seats and a snack bar, and the trip is over before you have finished a coffee. Blue Star Ferries runs large conventional ships with indoor lounges, open decks and a garage for vehicles, so there is room to move around on a two-hour trip. The Express Skopelitis is the small local boat of Small Cyclades Lines; it calls at Schinoussa and Iraklia on the way, and our operator notes say it has room for only a few motorcycles, so think of it as a foot-passenger boat. On the smaller boats luggage space is limited, so a compact bag is easier than a large suitcase. Cabins are not needed on this short crossing.

06Weather and cancellations

Wind, weather and cancellations on the Koufonisia to Naxos route.

The meltemi, the north wind of July and August, can hold the smaller boats in port on the Small Cyclades routes. The practical point on Koufonisia is that there are only a few boats a day, fewer in winter, and no buses or taxis on the island, so a cancelled boat can mean an extra night rather than a quick switch. Ask the operator to put you on the next sailing or refund you, using the details in your booking email, and if you have a flight from Athens, leave Koufonisia a day earlier than you strictly need to.

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07Travel Tips

Koufonisia to Naxos ferry travel tips.

  1. If you have a flight or a long-distance ferry from Naxos the same day, pick an early sailing and leave a generous buffer.

  2. Seasickness sufferers should favour Blue Star's larger ships on windy days rather than the small Express Skopelitis.

  3. Be at the Koufonisia quay about 30 minutes early; the harbour is small and boats turn round fast.

  4. The Express Skopelitis is the cheapest way to see Schinoussa and Iraklia from the water, since it calls at both on the way to Naxos.

  5. For July and August, book 4 to 6 weeks ahead, especially for any vehicle space; off-season, about a week ahead is usually enough.

08Alternatives

Other ways between Koufonisia and Naxos.

For the outward trip, see our Naxos to Koufonisia page. Koufonisia has no airport, so the sea is the only way off the island. If your real destination is Athens, you can skip Naxos altogether: see our Koufonisia to Athens (Piraeus) route. We also have pages for Koufonisia to Paros, Mykonos and Santorini, and for the short hops to Amorgos, Donousa, Schinoussa and Iraklia, so you can continue your island hopping without going through Naxos at all.

The return crossingNaxos → Koufonisia35 min · from €8
Change boat in Paros (Parikia)
  1. Leg 1: Koufonisia → Paros (Parikia)
  2. Leg 2: Paros (Parikia) → Naxos25 min · from €15.50
Change boat in Mykonos
  1. Leg 1: Koufonisia → Mykonos
  2. Leg 2: Mykonos → Naxos35 min · from €36
Change boat in Donousa
  1. Leg 1: Koufonisia → Donousa1h 10m · from €7
  2. Leg 2: Donousa → Naxos
Change boat in Santorini (Athinios)
  1. Leg 1: Koufonisia → Santorini (Athinios)
  2. Leg 2: Santorini (Athinios) → Naxos1h 10m · from €31.50

Other ferries to Naxos

Times and fares on these links come from one-day timetable samples, not live data.

09Island Hopping

Island hopping from Naxos.

All direct ferry routes

10Route matrix

All ferry routes from Koufonisia.

Every direct route from Koufonisia with a page on Discover Cyclades, with the fastest crossing and lowest fare from its one-day timetable sample. The route you are reading is marked.

Direct ferry routes from Koufonisia: fastest sampled crossing, lowest sampled adult fare and sailings on the sampled day
RouteFastestLowest fareSailings that dayOperators
Koufonisia → Amorgos (Katapola)25 min€73Seajets, Small Cyclades Lines
Koufonisia → Donousa1h 10m€71Small Cyclades Lines
Koufonisia → IrakliaBlue Star Ferries, Seajets
Koufonisia → Milos (Adamas)Seajets
Koufonisia → MykonosSeajets
Koufonisia → NaxosYou are hereSeajets, Blue Star Ferries, Small Cyclades Lines (Express Skopelitis)
Koufonisia → Paros (Parikia)Blue Star Ferries, Seajets
Koufonisia → PiraeusBlue Star Ferries, Hellenic Seaways, Seajets
Koufonisia → Santorini (Athinios)Blue Star Ferries, Seajets
Koufonisia → Schinoussa30 min€4.501Small Cyclades Lines

Source: Ferryhopper timetable samples, one sailing day per route, sampled between 12 August 2026 and 15 August 2026

Questions

Koufonisia to Naxos ferry: frequently asked questions.

  • From about 35 minutes to around two and a half hours. Seajets high-speed boats take roughly 35 to 40 minutes. Blue Star Ferries usually takes about two hours, and the Express Skopelitis of Small Cyclades Lines takes around 2 hr 25 min to 2 hr 35 min because it stops at Schinoussa and Iraklia on the way.

  • When we checked Ferryhopper on 24 September 2026, the lowest adult fare was €6.99, two adults were from €14, and two adults with a car from €26.50. The slow ships are the cheap ones, from about €7 on Blue Star and €8 on the Express Skopelitis. Seajets costs more: its fares ran from €35 to €53 in last year's data.

  • Every day, all year, according to Ferryhopper. In last year's data the Express Skopelitis sailed 6 to 7 days a week, Blue Star 3 or 4 days a week, and Seajets added fast boats from spring to autumn, up to daily in high summer. Expect several choices a day in July and August and one or two in winter.

  • Three companies: Seajets with high-speed boats, Blue Star Ferries with large conventional ships, and Small Cyclades Lines with the Express Skopelitis. Seajets is the fastest, Blue Star usually has the lowest fares, and the Skopelitis is the dependable year-round local service that also links the smaller islands.

  • A Seajets high-speed boat, which takes about 35 to 40 minutes. These run mainly from spring to autumn and cost considerably more than the conventional ships. Outside the season the quickest option is usually Blue Star Ferries, at around two hours, depending on the day.

  • Blue Star Ferries has a car deck, and some Seajets boats carry vehicles, although not every high-speed sailing does. The Express Skopelitis has very limited vehicle space, a few motorcycles at most according to our operator notes, so check the sailing before you count on it. Ferryhopper listed two adults with a car from €26.50 when we checked. Book any vehicle space early in summer.

  • For July and August, our booking notes say 4 to 6 weeks ahead, especially if you need a cabin or vehicle space, which go first; economy seats stay available longer. Off-season, from November to March, about a week ahead is usually enough. If the trip connects with a flight or another ferry, book both legs together and leave extra time.

  • It does happen, mostly on windy days in July and August. When the port authority keeps a boat in port, the operator will offer you a later sailing or your money back; contact them the same day using the details in your booking email. On an island with no taxis and few connections, plan for the possibility of an extra night.

  • From the small harbour of Ano Koufonisi, in the village itself. The island is compact, so most people walk to the quay. There are a café and a few shops by the port. Arrive about 30 minutes before departure, as boats load and leave quickly here.

  • The KTEL bus station is about 100 m from the port, with buses to Agios Prokopios, Agia Anna and Plaka on the west coast and to inland villages such as Halki and Apeiranthos. Our route data puts a taxi to Plaka beach at about 10 minutes and €10. Car rental desks are right at the port.

  • No, Koufonisia has no airport, so the first leg is always by sea. You can sail straight to Piraeus (see our Koufonisia to Athens route) or cross to Naxos and continue from there. We do not track flights, so if you are thinking of flying from Naxos, check the airline schedules for your date, and keep a buffer in case the wind affects the small boats.

  • The same three companies run the reverse direction, from 35 minutes on Seajets to about 2 hr 35 min on the Express Skopelitis, with adult fares from €7 when we checked. See our Naxos to Koufonisia page for the details and a sample summer timetable.

Island Guides

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