Ferry from Kythnos to Serifos.

Kythnos and Serifos are neighbours on the western Cyclades line, and this short hop is the easiest way to pair them. Both are quieter, closer-to-Athens islands that draw Greek families and walkers more than party crowds: Kythnos with its thermal springs at Loutra and its unhurried harbour at Merichas, Serifos with the white Chora perched on its hill above the bay of Livadi.

In the warm months the crossing is quick and fairly frequent. Last year the Magic Sea Ferries catamaran Cat I sailed every day from June to September, taking about 1 hr 10 min, and Seajets added a 40-minute high-speed run on two to five days a week. On 12 August 2026, the day we sampled, there were two departures from Merichas: the Cat I at 11:50 and the Seajets Champion Jet 1 at 16:45.

Winter is a different story. In last year's data Aegean Sea Lines and Fast Ferries covered the colder months with conventional ships that take about 1 hr 25 min and cost from €12, but only once to four days a week, and April and October showed no data at all. If you are travelling between October and May, check the sailing days before you book your rooms.

Because Serifos sits in the middle of the chain, this crossing links well with the rest of the western Cyclades. From Livadi you can continue south to Milos or Santorini, or head back to the mainland at Piraeus or, in summer, Lavrio.

The summer service on this route is almost entirely high-speed catamarans, and those are the boats most affected by the meltemi, the strong north wind that blows hardest in July and August. On a rough day the port authority can keep them in port, or the crossing can be slow and bumpy. Because two operators usually sail in summer, a cancelled Seajets boat may still leave you the Magic Sea Ferries one, or the reverse. In winter, with one boat a week at times, a cancellation can mean days of waiting, so build in a spare day.