Skip to main content

Ferry RoutePIR to IOS

Ferry from Athens (Piraeus) to Ios.

Athens (Piraeus) to Ios (Chora Port). Compare the operators, a real sailing day and dated fares, then search live times for your date.

Fastest crossing
4h 15mSeajets · checked 24 Sept 2026
Lowest adult fare
€39checked 24 Sept 2026
Ferry operators
3Seajets, Blue Star Ferries, Fast Ferries
Sailings on the sample day
5sampled 12 Aug 2026

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

Piraeus to Ios: live times, seats and prices for your date.

Passengers
2 passengers

Lowest adult fare we found: €39, checked 24 September 2026.

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

Ios
Map of the ferry route from Piraeus to Ios. Coastlines © OpenStreetMap contributors, Natural Earth

How do you get from Piraeus to Ios by ferry?

Blue Star Ferries, Fast Ferries and Seajets sail from Piraeus to Ios on 6 to 7 days a week all year. Seajets is quickest at about 4 hr 15 min, Blue Star takes roughly 7.5 to 9 hours and Fast Ferries up to almost 10. When we checked on 24 September 2026, fares started at €39. Our 12 August 2026 sample showed 5 departures; winter relies on the conventional ships.

Source: Ferryhopper route page and timetable sample · as of

Live AIS

Ferries on this route now.

Ferries sailing between Piraeus and Ios right now.

Open the live tracker

Loading live positions…

01Operators compared

Piraeus to Ios 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 Piraeus to Ios route
OperatorVessel typeCrossing timeVehiclesAdult fare fromSailings, 12 Aug 2026
SeajetsEurochampion Jet, Olympic Champion Jet, Champion Jet 2High-speed ferry4 hr 15 min to about 5 hr 30 minCars and motorbikes€84.703
Blue Star FerriesBlue Star 1Conventional ferryabout 7 hr 30 min to 9 hrCars and motorbikes€44.501
Fast FerriesDionisios SolomosConventional ferry8 hr 30 min to 9 hr 55 minCars and motorbikes€481

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

  • SeajetsMainly spring to autumn, daily at the summer peak. On 12 August 2026 it sailed at 07:00, 09:00 and 15:00. Car deck space is limited. VIP seats from about €138.
  • Blue Star FerriesAround five days a week all year in last year's data. On 12 August 2026 the Blue Star 1 left at 17:30 and reached Ios at 01:05, from €55.
  • Fast FerriesThree to five days a week on a long multi-island route; the Dionisios Solomos took 9 hr 45 min on the sampled day.

02Timetable sample

Piraeus to Ios ferry timetable 2026.

Every direct sailing on one real day, 12 August 2026, as Ferryhopper listed it. It shows the pattern, not a live timetable: times and fares change by date.

Sailings from Piraeus to Ios on 12 August 2026 (one-day sample)
DepartArriveOperatorVesselDurationFromSearch
07:00Lowest fare16:45Fast FerriesDionisios Solomos9h 45m€48Book a sailing like the 07:00 one
07:00Fastest11:15SeajetsEurochampion Jet4h 15m€84.70Book a sailing like the 07:00 one
09:0013:20SeajetsOlympic Champion Jet4h 20m€84.70Book a sailing like the 09:00 one
15:0020:20SeajetsChampion Jet 25h 20m€84.70Book a sailing like the 15:00 one
17:3001:05(+1 day)Blue Star FerriesBlue Star 17h 35m€55Book a sailing like the 17:30 one

Source: Ferryhopper timetable sample, one sailing day · sailing day

Retrieved
Check live times for your date

03Fares

Piraeus to Ios 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 Piraeus and Ios, both directions
PassengersPiraeus → IosIos → Piraeus
1 adult€39€43.50
2 adults€78€88.99
2 adults and a car€165€176
2 adults, 2 children and a car€258€256.50

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 date.

Search the return, Ios to Piraeus

04Schedule by season

Piraeus to Ios ferry schedule by season.

Ios has ferries from Piraeus on 6 to 7 days a week throughout the year. In Ferryhopper's monthly overview, which reflects last year's data, Blue Star Ferries sails about five days a week in every month and Fast Ferries three to five days a week, while Seajets appears from spring and becomes daily in the peak summer months. Our Ferryhopper timetable sample for 12 August 2026 showed 5 departures: the first at 07:00 and the last at 17:30, with Blue Star arriving after midnight. In winter there is no high-speed service on most dates, so check which days the conventional ships run before fixing plans.

The Journey

The Piraeus to Ios crossing.

The ferry from Athens to Ios operates year-round, with 6 to 7 sailing days a week and several crossings a day in summer (5 on our 12 August 2026 sample). Known for legendary nightlife, pristine beaches, and charming Chora, Ios is accessible via a journey of 4 hours 15 minutes to almost 10 hours from Piraeus port. Ticket prices start from €39.

Ios has two personalities. In July and August its Chora fills with bars and the long sweep of Mylopotas beach draws a young, sociable crowd. Come in June or September and it turns into a quieter island of rugged hills, bays you can only reach by boat or dirt road, and the site traditionally linked to Homer's tomb in the north. Either way, the harbour at Ormos is small and friendly, and Chora is a short hop up the hill.

From Athens the trip is roughly 108 nautical miles, so it is a proper sea voyage. Many travellers fold Ios into a southern Cyclades loop: out from Piraeus, a few nights on Ios, then short hops to Santorini, Naxos or Paros. Its position between those islands makes it a handy base, and ferries onward are frequent in summer.

Two things decide which ticket to buy: time and budget. Seajets gets you there by lunchtime if you catch the early boat but costs far more than a Blue Star or Fast Ferries seat. The conventional ships are cheaper, have cabins and decks, and are the only choice for much of the winter. If you are bringing a car in summer, book it as soon as you can.

How long the crossing takes

Ferryhopper puts this crossing at 4 hours 15 minutes to almost 10 hours. The fastest is Seajets' Eurochampion Jet at 4 hours 15 minutes; on 12 August 2026 it left Piraeus at 07:00 and docked at 11:15. Other Seajets runs take up to about 5.5 hours depending on stops. Blue Star Ferries needs around 7.5 to 9 hours, and Fast Ferries 8.5 hours to 9 hours 55 minutes, because both call at several islands on the way. The distance is about 108 nautical miles, roughly 200 km.

05The ports

Where the Piraeus to Ios ferry docks.

Departure port

Athens (Piraeus)

PIR · 37.9485° N 23.6378° E

Ios ferries sail from Piraeus, the port city on the south-western edge of Athens. How you get there depends on where you start. Staying in the centre? Ride the green metro Line 1 to its last stop, Piraeus, about 25 minutes from Monastiraki; the station faces the harbour. Landing at the airport, 45 km away? The blue metro line runs through to Piraeus in about an hour. A taxi or bus from downtown takes 25 to 45 minutes, traffic permitting. Once there, head for gate E6 or E7, the usual berths for Cyclades ships, but trust your e-ticket and the port screens over any guide, because berths change. The waterfront is long, so use the free port shuttle if your gate is far from the metro, and arrive an hour before sailing, or 90 minutes with a car.

Arrival port

Ios (Chora Port)

IOS · 36.7231° N 25.2817° E

Boats tie up at Ormos, the harbour on the west coast of Ios, and the hilltop capital, Chora, is right above it: under 5 minutes by car or around 20 minutes on foot, a sweaty climb with a suitcase in August. The harbour front covers the basics after a long crossing, from places to eat and sleep to cash machines, hire cars and a public car park near the terminal. Taxis are the catch: when two ships land together they run out fast, so arrange a transfer or hotel pickup in peak season. On our 12 August 2026 sample the evening Blue Star sailing reached Ios after 01:00, exactly when a pre-booked ride is worth having.

06On Board

On board the Piraeus to Ios ferry.

The Blue Star and Fast Ferries ships are large conventional vessels with lounges, open decks, cafeterias and cabins. You can book a 1- to 4-bed cabin or a berth in a shared cabin from about €92, a sensible buy on the long evening sailing that arrives after midnight. Numbered seats start at around €50 and business from €60. Seajets has airline-style seating with VIP seats from about €138 and very limited outdoor space. Wi-Fi is available, pets travel free when added to the booking, and there is no luggage check-in, so keep bags manageable; around 50 kg is a sensible limit.

07Weather and cancellations

Wind, weather and cancellations on the Piraeus to Ios route.

The crossing to Ios can be affected by strong winds, especially the meltemi, which blows from the north in July and August. High-speed catamarans like the Seajets fleet are more sensitive to rough seas and are the first to be delayed or cancelled; the large conventional ships usually keep going. The port authority can keep ships in harbour when conditions are unsafe. This is a long crossing and some winter days have only one ship, so a cancellation can cost you a day: the operator will rebook or refund you, but the next boat may not sail until tomorrow. Check for updates before you leave for Piraeus.

08Travel Tips

Piraeus to Ios ferry travel tips.

  1. Catch the 07:00 Seajets in summer if you want an afternoon on the beach the same day.

  2. Choosing an evening Blue Star sailing? Book a cabin, since you may arrive in Ios after 01:00.

  3. Use the free shuttle bus inside Piraeus port if your gate is far from the metro.

  4. With a car, be at the port 90 minutes early and book vehicle space well ahead for July and August.

  5. In winter, check the specific sailing days: service runs on most days, but not always daily.

09Alternatives

Other ways between Piraeus and Ios.

For the trip back, see our Ios to Athens (Piraeus) page. If you land at Athens airport, compare Rafina, the port closest to ATH: Ferryhopper says it usually has one Ios sailing a day, of around 4.5 hours. You can also reach Ios via Paros, Naxos or Santorini and take a short hop from there. Ios has no airport, so the nearest flights land on Santorini (JTR), about 35 minutes away by fast ferry.

The return crossingIos → Piraeus
Change boat in Mykonos
  1. Leg 1: Piraeus → Mykonos2h 40m · from €53
  2. Leg 2: Mykonos → Ios1h 25m · from €48
Change boat in Sikinos
  1. Leg 1: Piraeus → Sikinos9h · from €48
  2. Leg 2: Sikinos → Ios
Change boat in Syros (Ermoupoli)
  1. Leg 1: Piraeus → Syros (Ermoupoli)2h · from €46.50
  2. Leg 2: Syros (Ermoupoli) → Ios
Change boat in Amorgos (Katapola)
  1. Leg 1: Piraeus → Amorgos (Katapola)
  2. Leg 2: Amorgos (Katapola) → Ios

Other ferries to Ios

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

10Island Hopping

Island hopping from Ios.

All direct ferry routes

11Route matrix

All ferry routes from Piraeus.

Every direct route from Piraeus 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 Piraeus: fastest sampled crossing, lowest sampled adult fare and sailings on the sampled day
RouteFastestLowest fareSailings that dayOperators
Piraeus → Amorgos (Katapola)Blue Star Ferries, Seajets
Piraeus → AnafiBlue Star Ferries, Seajets
Piraeus → Donousa6h 45m€52.501Blue Star Ferries
Piraeus → Folegandros3h 40m€482Fast Ferries, Seajets
Piraeus → IosYou are here4h 15m€485Seajets, Blue Star Ferries, Fast Ferries
Piraeus → IrakliaBlue Star Ferries, Seajets
Piraeus → Kimolos3h 25m€78.701Seajets
Piraeus → Koufonisia4h€84.701Seajets
Piraeus → Kythnos (Merihas)1h 35m€49.701Seajets
Piraeus → Milos (Adamas)2h 30m€416Fast Ferries, Seajets, Minoan Lines, Anek Lines
Piraeus → Mykonos2h 40m€535Seajets, Blue Star Ferries
Piraeus → Naxos3h 15m€52.507Blue Star Ferries, Seajets
Piraeus → Paros (Parikia)2h 40m€516Blue Star Ferries, Seajets
Piraeus → Santorini (Athinios)5h€488Fast Ferries, Seajets, Blue Star Ferries
Piraeus → SchinoussaBlue Star Ferries, Seajets
Piraeus → Serifos2h€373Seajets, Anek Lines
Piraeus → Sifnos (Kamares)2h 30m€40.503Fast Ferries, Seajets
Piraeus → Sikinos9h€481Fast Ferries
Piraeus → Syros (Ermoupoli)2h€46.505Seajets, Blue Star Ferries
Piraeus → Tinos2h 25m€502Blue Star Ferries, Seajets

Source: Ferryhopper timetable samples, one sailing day per route · sailing day

Questions

Piraeus to Ios ferry: frequently asked questions.

  • Yes. All the ferries on this route have car decks, including the Seajets catamarans, although high-speed deck space is limited. Ferryhopper lists cars from about €95 and motorcycles from about €32, and vans and motorhomes are accepted on most ships. Be at Piraeus at least 90 minutes before departure with a vehicle, and book early for summer.

  • Seajets' Eurochampion Jet, which takes about 4 hours 15 minutes from Piraeus. On our 12 August 2026 sample it left at 07:00 and reached Ios at 11:15, with fares from €84.70. Other Seajets sailings that day took 4 hours 20 minutes and 5 hours 20 minutes.

  • Yes. Ios keeps its link with Piraeus all year, with sailings on 6 to 7 days a week. In winter the service is carried by the conventional ships: last year's data shows Blue Star Ferries around five days a week and Fast Ferries on several more. High-speed boats generally do not run in the depth of winter, so journeys are longer.

  • Between about 4 hours 15 minutes and almost 10 hours. Seajets takes 4 hours 15 minutes to about 5.5 hours, Blue Star Ferries around 7.5 to 9 hours, and Fast Ferries 8.5 hours to 9 hours 55 minutes. The evening Blue Star sailing on our 12 August 2026 sample took 7 hours 35 minutes and arrived after 01:00, so a cabin helps.

  • The lowest adult fare Ferryhopper showed on 24 September 2026 was €39 from Piraeus to Ios. Typical starting prices are €44.50 with Blue Star Ferries, €48 with Fast Ferries and €84.70 with Seajets. On our August sample, Blue Star cost €55. Two adults with a car came to €165. Fares change with date and demand.

  • It varies by season. On our Ferryhopper timetable sample for 12 August 2026 there were 5 departures from Piraeus: three Seajets, one Blue Star and one Fast Ferries sailing, between 07:00 and 17:30. Across the year there are sailings on 6 to 7 days a week, but some winter days may have only one ship or none.

  • Three: Blue Star Ferries and Fast Ferries with large conventional ships, and Seajets with high-speed catamarans. Blue Star and Fast Ferries are cheaper and run all year, with cabins and open decks. Seajets is the fastest but operates mainly from spring to autumn and costs more.

  • For July and August, book a few weeks ahead at least, and earlier if you want a Seajets seat, a cabin or a car space, as these sell out first. In spring and autumn, a week or so ahead is usually fine. The lowest fares, around €39 to €44.50, are more likely on quieter dates.

  • Ferries to the Cyclades usually leave from gates E6 or E7, but the gate can change, so check your ticket and the port display boards on the day. The metro stop is a walk away from the gates, and a free shuttle bus runs around the port. Allow at least an hour before sailing.

  • At Ormos, the main harbour on the west coast of Ios. Chora sits just above it, less than 5 minutes by car or around 20 minutes uphill on foot. You will find places to eat and stay, ATMs, car hire and public parking by the port. Taxis run short when several ships arrive together, so pre-book a transfer in peak season, especially for a late-night arrival.

  • Only in one situation: when you fly into Athens and want to board soon after landing, because Rafina is the port nearest the airport. Ferryhopper puts it at about one Rafina sailing a day, taking roughly 4.5 hours. If you are sleeping in central Athens, Piraeus wins, since it is a metro ride away and has far more Ios departures across the year. The timetables on this page cover the Piraeus sailings only.

  • Yes, occasionally. Strong summer meltemi winds in July and August can delay or cancel sailings, especially high-speed boats, and the port authority may hold ships in port. Your operator will then offer a later sailing or a refund. Leave a buffer day before an international flight home.

Island Guides

Plan your stay in Ios.

PIRtoIOS

Ready to sail to Ios?

fastest 4h 15m · from €39

Search ferry tickets