Serifos is one of the closest Cyclades to Athens, which makes the trip home refreshingly short. After days of quiet beaches, the walk up to the white Chora and the old mining country of the island, you can be back in Piraeus in two hours on a fast boat, or in around four on a conventional ship with time for lunch on deck.
This direction is well served. Blue Star Ferries sails on most days from late winter to autumn, Fast Ferries runs all year, Aegean Sea Lines adds departures in the cooler months, and Seajets puts on high-speed boats for much of the year. That spread of operators means you can usually pick a departure that suits your onward plans in Athens.
Piraeus is Athens' main port, about 12 km from the city centre and 45 km from the airport, and it has direct metro, bus and taxi links to both. If you are flying out the same day, the fast boat or a morning conventional sailing gives you the most breathing space; if not, a later ship and a night in Athens is the relaxed option.
Summer departures fill up, especially at the end of July and August and around Greek holidays, so book your return when you book the outward trip. If Piraeus sailings are full, Serifos also has boats to Lavrio, south-east of Athens and closer to the airport.
