Piraeus - Karpathos ferry from €45 | Tickets & routes

Piraeus - Karpathos ferry tickets and routes

The Piraeus - Karpathos ferry route is one of the longer connections from Athens to the Dodecanese. Choosing the right departure matters, as different itineraries can lead to a noticeable difference in total travel time.

The route is operated by Blue Star Ferries with a conventional passenger and vehicle ferry. Blue Star Chios is the main vessel serving the connection, offering cabins, numbered seats and a garage for cars and motorcycles.

One detail deserves attention before booking: Karpathos has two ferry ports. Karpathos port in Pigadia serves the island's capital and most travellers heading to central and southern Karpathos. Diafani, in the north, is a separate port and can be a better choice for travellers staying near Olympos or in northern Karpathos.

For accommodation in Pigadia, Amoopi and the southern part of the island, arriving at Pigadia is the more practical option. For Olympos and northern Karpathos, check the Diafani connection before booking.

Key information before booking

• Cheapest passenger ticket: €45
• Economy fares: €45 - €70
• Numbered aircraft-style seat: €55 - €85
• Car ticket: from €120
• Motorcycle ticket: from €40
• Cabin: from €70
• Frequency: 3 departures per week
• Travel time to Pigadia: 13 - 18 hours
• Fastest scheduled connection: close to 13 hours and 30 minutes
• First departure in the current schedule: 15:00
• Last departure in the current schedule: 17:00
• Ferry company: Blue Star Ferries
• Vessel: Blue Star Chios
• Ferry type: conventional passenger and vehicle ferry
• Garage: Yes
• Cars and motorcycles: Yes
• Cabins: Yes
• E-ticket: Yes
• Web Check-in: Yes
• Main arrival port: Pigadia
• Second port on Karpathos: Diafani
• Departure gate at Piraeus: mainly E1
• Last updated: October 2026

Departure times do not remain the same throughout the year. Always check the active timetable for your exact travel date before completing the booking.

Why does the journey time vary?

The distance to Karpathos does not change, but the ferry's route can.

Services may follow different sequences of intermediate ports. One itinerary can travel through the Cyclades, calling at Santorini, Anafi and Kasos before reaching Pigadia.

Other services can include Crete in the route, with Heraklion and Sitia forming part of the journey before Karpathos.

This explains why two departures to the same island may have a significant difference in total travel time.

If your arrival time is flexible, the faster connection is the more practical choice. The cheapest option is the departure where the lowest economy fare is still available.

Blue Star Chios on the Piraeus - Karpathos route

Blue Star Chios is a conventional passenger and vehicle ferry rather than a high-speed vessel.

For such a long crossing, this type of ship has practical advantages. It offers cabins, numbered seats, food and drink options, indoor passenger areas and outdoor decks.

The vessel also has a large vehicle garage for cars and motorcycles. This makes it possible to travel from Athens with your own vehicle and use it throughout your stay on Karpathos.

Cabins are more relevant on this route than on short Cyclades crossings. A substantial part of the journey can take place overnight.

Which port does the ferry use on Karpathos?

Pigadia is the main ferry port and capital of Karpathos, located on the eastern side of the island.

Its main advantage is convenience. Once you leave the ferry, you are already in the island's principal town, with hotels, restaurants, shops, car rental services and other facilities nearby.

Pigadia is also the more convenient arrival point if your accommodation is in Amoopi, Afiartis or another area of southern Karpathos.

The situation is different if your final destination is Olympos or another location in northern Karpathos.

Pigadia or Diafani?

This is one of the most important route-specific details to understand before booking.

Karpathos has a second ferry port at Diafani, with a separate Piraeus - Diafani connection.

Diafani is located in northern Karpathos and serves as the maritime gateway for the wider Olympos area.

The Piraeus - Diafani route is also served by Blue Star Ferries. Passenger tickets start from €46.50, while car fares start from €131. The fastest connection takes 14 hours and 25 minutes, with longer travel times on other departures.

If your accommodation is in the northern part of the island, check Diafani before automatically booking a ferry to Pigadia.

For travellers staying in the capital or southern Karpathos, Pigadia avoids a long road transfer after an already lengthy sea journey.

Which gate do ferries to Karpathos use at Piraeus?

Departures to Karpathos mainly use Gate E1 at the port of Piraeus.

The final gate should always be checked on the ticket and on the electronic information boards at the port on the day of departure.

Passengers travelling without a vehicle should aim to arrive at least 60 minutes before departure.

If you are travelling with a car, allow additional time. Vehicle loading begins before the final passengers board, while traffic inside the port can be heavy during busy travel periods.

If you arrive at Piraeus by metro or suburban railway, remember that reaching the station does not mean you are already next to the ferry. Allow enough time to reach the correct gate.

Is it worth taking a car to Karpathos?

For a longer holiday, having a car can be particularly useful.

Karpathos is a large, mountainous island. Pigadia is a considerable distance from several villages and beaches in the north, while Olympos lies in a very different part of the island.

With your own car, you can organise trips to Apella, Kyra Panagia, Achata, Amoopi, Lefkos, Mesochori and Olympos without relying on fixed transport schedules.

For a stay of only two or three days, compare the total return ferry fare for your vehicle with the cost of renting a car after arrival.

For families or longer stays, taking your own vehicle can be more practical, particularly when travelling with several pieces of luggage.

Numbered seat or cabin?

Economy accommodation keeps the ticket price lower, but it is not necessarily the best choice for a crossing that can cover an entire night.

Numbered aircraft-style seats are available, while cabins include different configurations, such as inside and outside options with various bed arrangements.

For families with children, a cabin provides privacy and a proper place to rest.

It can also be useful if the ferry reaches Karpathos early and you plan to drive directly to another part of the island after disembarking.

During busy travel periods, cabins and vehicle spaces are the categories that benefit most from early booking.

Discounts and reduced ferry fares

Blue Star Ferries provides reduced fares for eligible passenger categories.

These include:

• children up to 5 years old with free economy accommodation and a zero-fare ticket
• children aged 5 - 10 with a 50% discount
• students at Greek universities
• eligible ISIC cardholders
• families with three children
• large families
• passengers with disabilities and eligible companions
• permanent island residents with MAN
• members of the Armed Forces
• other categories covered by the company's fare policy

Children up to 5 years old receive a 100% discount in economy class on conventional ferries, with a zero-fare ticket still required. Different discount conditions apply to cabins and numbered seats.

Before booking, check the available Blue Star Ferries discounts and offers.

The correct discount category must be selected during the booking process, and passengers should carry the necessary supporting document when boarding.

E-ticket and Web Check-in

The route supports electronic tickets, so there is no need to collect a printed ticket before departure.

Blue Star Ferries Web Check-in allows passengers to keep their boarding pass directly on their mobile phone.

Save the ticket on your device before arriving at the port. This is particularly useful on busy departure days and avoids an unnecessary visit to a ticket office.

If your reservation includes a vehicle, check that the registration number and other vehicle details have been entered correctly.

What changes between high and low season?

The route has clear seasonal differences in availability and the distribution of departures.

During periods of high demand, finding a passenger ticket is not the only issue. Travellers may also need to secure a specific cabin and a place in the vehicle garage.

Outside the main travel season, there can be fewer departure days. It therefore makes sense to check the ferry schedule before finalising accommodation dates.

The sequence of intermediate ports can also change, affecting the final arrival time on Karpathos.

Return ferry Karpathos - Piraeus

For the return journey, check the Karpathos - Piraeus route.

Blue Star Ferries operates 3 departures per week, with travel time varying according to the itinerary.

If you are taking a car or want a cabin, it is useful to check the return crossing at the same time as the outbound journey from Piraeus.

There is also a separate Diafani - Piraeus connection, which can be useful if your holiday ends in northern Karpathos.

Alternative ferry routes for Karpathos

If the direct departure from Piraeus does not suit your dates, Karpathos also has ferry connections with Crete, Santorini and Rhodes.

Useful routes include:

• Karpathos - Heraklion
• Karpathos - Santorini
• Karpathos - Rhodes
• Diafani - Sitia
• Diafani - Kasos

Find all the routes

Ferry connections from Karpathos to other destinations

Karpathos lies between Crete and Rhodes, which gives travellers several useful options for combining more than one island in the same trip.

The Karpathos - Heraklion route operates 2 times per week, with a travel time of 6 hours and 10 minutes.

For the Cyclades, the Karpathos - Santorini route offers 2 - 3 departures per week.

To the east, the Karpathos - Rhodes crossing takes 4 hours and 30 minutes and includes a connection via Chalki.

From Diafani, travellers can continue towards Kasos and Sitia. This is particularly useful when the trip is focused on northern Karpathos.

Useful travel tips

Do not choose your arrival port before checking where your accommodation is located. Pigadia and Diafani serve very different parts of a large island.

Compare the total travel time between departures. On the Piraeus - Karpathos route, the difference can be several hours.

For an overnight journey, check cabin availability before selecting a standard seat.

If you are taking a car, book early during periods of high demand. Vehicle spaces can sell out before economy passenger tickets.

If Olympos is an important part of your trip, consider Diafani as your arrival or departure port.

Keep your e-ticket saved on your phone and check the departure gate again before entering the port of Piraeus.

Frequently asked questions FAQ

How much luggage can I take on the ferry?

Blue Star Ferries allows passengers to carry luggage according to the company's baggage conditions. Larger bags should be placed in the designated luggage areas on board, while valuables and items needed during the crossing should remain with you.

Can I travel with a pet?

Yes. The pet must be included in the booking and travel with the required documentation. The ferry has designated pet areas, while pet-friendly cabins may be available in specific categories.

Are there facilities for passengers with reduced mobility?

Blue Star Chios has facilities for passengers with reduced mobility. If you need assistance during boarding or require an accessible cabin, request this service in advance.

Can I change my ferry ticket after booking?

A ticket can be changed when permitted by the fare conditions and when space is available on the new departure. If the new ticket has a higher fare, the corresponding price difference must be paid.

Can I take an electric car on the ferry?

Yes, provided the safety requirements for electric and alternative-fuel vehicles are followed. Before boarding, the vehicle must comply with the current rules concerning its condition and permitted battery charge level.

Is there public transport from Pigadia to other parts of Karpathos?

Local transport connects Pigadia with several areas of the island. For a trip that includes multiple beaches, remote villages and northern Karpathos, however, having a car offers greater flexibility.

In short

For the Piraeus - Karpathos route, three things deserve attention before booking: total travel time, arrival port and how you plan to move around the island.

Pigadia is the practical choice for the capital and southern Karpathos. Diafani is worth considering when your destination is in the north, especially around Olympos.

Blue Star Chios offers cabins and a vehicle garage, two features that are genuinely useful on such a long crossing. For families and travellers taking a car, booking early is more important here than on a short ferry route.

On booktickets.gr, you can compare available departures, travel times, accommodation options and vehicle availability before booking your ferry tickets online.

Content editing: booktickets.gr

Last updated: October 2026