Ferry from Athens (Lavrio) to Kythnos (Merihas).

The Athens (Lavrio) to Kythnos ferry is one of the Cyclades' most popular connections, operating five to seven days a week with journey times from about 1h 10m to 2h 35m and tickets from €15. The route is served by Magic Sea Ferries, Karystia Travel, Goutos Lines, Triton Ferries and Blue Star Ferries, with vehicle transport available on conventional ferries. Service runs year-round.

Kythnos is the island Athenians escape to when they want the Cyclades without the crowds. It has no airport and little international tourism, which keeps it quiet and very Greek: tavernas along the harbour in Merichas, the hot springs at Loutra, used since antiquity, and the whitewashed inland villages of Chora and Dryopida.

Lavrio is the reason it is so easy to reach. This small port in the south-east of Attica is much closer to Kythnos than Piraeus, so the crossing is short and the boats are small and frequent. It suits a long weekend, a first taste of the western Cyclades, or the start of an island-hopping trip south to Serifos, Sifnos and Milos.

Before you book, check which operator runs your departure: fares, times and vessel types differ a lot on this route. The catamaran is fastest but costs more, while the conventional ferries are cheaper and carry cars. Summer weekends are the busiest time on this route, and return boats can sell out, so book both directions early.

The channel between Attica and Kythnos is exposed to the meltemi, the northerly summer wind that blows hardest in July and August. The Cat I catamaran is the most sensitive to it and may be delayed or held in port on windy days; the heavier conventional ferries usually still sail. The port authority decides when departures are held. A cancelled ticket is rebooked or refunded by the operator through your booking. If the catamaran is held, one of the slower ferries later the same day is often the answer, since several companies share this route, but keep a buffer day before any flight home.