Ios - Rafina ferry tickets from €78 | 2026

Ios - Rafina ferry tickets and routes

The Ios - Rafina ferry connection operates seasonally with Golden Star Ferries. The route is served by Golden Princess, a high-speed passenger and vehicle ferry with numbered seats and a garage for cars and motorcycles.

The cheapest passenger ticket starts at €78, while the fare for a standard car begins at €83. The ferry departs from Ios at 15:15 and arrives in Rafina at 20:20. The total journey time is 5 hours and 5 minutes.

During the high season, there is up to 1 sailing per day and 7 departures per week. Passengers do not need to change ferries. Golden Princess calls at Paros, Mykonos and Tinos before reaching Rafina.

As there is one main daily sailing, the fastest and cheapest option is the same departure. The main choices concern the seating category and whether a vehicle is included. Passengers with an evening flight should pay close attention to the arrival time, as disembarking after 20:00 does not provide a safe connection window.

Key route information

• Cheapest passenger ticket: from €78
• Standard car ticket: from €83
• First departure: 15:15
• Last departure: 15:15
• Arrival in Rafina: 20:20
• Fastest crossing: 5 hours and 5 minutes
• Total departures: up to 7 per week
• Ferry company: Golden Star Ferries
• Vessel: Golden Princess
• Vessel type: high-speed passenger and vehicle ferry
• Direct connection: yes, without changing ferries
• Intermediate stops: Paros, Mykonos and Tinos
• Car transport: available
• Cabins: not available
• Electronic ticket: available
• Departure port: Gialos port, Ios
• Arrival port: central port of Rafina

Ios - Rafina ferry ticket prices

The basic fare for an adult passenger starts at €78. This price applies to the lowest available seating category on Golden Princess.

The ferry offers numbered aircraft-style seats, seats with tables and upgraded seating categories. Cabins are not available. For a journey lasting more than 5 hours, selecting a numbered seat provides a dedicated place for the entire crossing.

A ticket for a standard car starts at €83 and is added to the passenger fares. For two adults travelling with one car, the total price starts at €239, before discounts or higher-priced seating categories are applied.

Different fares are available for:

• Motorcycles
• Three-wheeled and four-wheeled motorcycles
• Longer cars
• Camper vans
• Trailers
• Commercial vehicles

On booktickets.gr, the total cost for passengers and the vehicle is displayed before payment. Travellers can therefore see the complete booking price rather than only the basic passenger fare.

Departures and travel time

The main sailing leaves Ios at 15:15 and arrives in Rafina at 20:20. The crossing takes 5 hours and 5 minutes.

The route reaches its highest frequency during the summer season, with up to one departure every day. During the low season, the direct connection does not operate, and travel to Attica is mainly available through Piraeus.

The arrival time may be affected by weather conditions, traffic at the intermediate ports and the time required to load vehicles. For this reason, the scheduled arrival at 20:20 should not be combined with an evening flight or another departure with a short connection time.

Which option is the fastest and cheapest?

Golden Star Ferries is the only company operating the direct Ios - Rafina connection. There is no second ferry on the same day offering a different travel time or a lower basic fare.

For a foot passenger, the cheapest option is the basic numbered seat from €78. For families, passenger discounts reduce the final price more effectively than choosing a different departure time.

When travelling with a car, garage availability should be checked first. Passenger seats may still be available even when all vehicle spaces have sold out.

Taking a car is more practical when the accommodation is far from the port or when the family plans to continue towards eastern, northern or central Attica. Passengers heading only to central Athens should also include the transfer from Rafina in their travel plans.

Direct journey and intermediate stops

The ticket covers one continuous journey from Ios to Rafina. Passengers do not change ferries and do not need to disembark at the intermediate ports.

The ferry follows this route:

• Ios
• Paros
• Mykonos
• Tinos
• Rafina

The three intermediate calls increase the total travel time without turning the crossing into a connecting journey. Passengers remain in the indoor areas or in their seats until arrival at the destination printed on their ticket is announced.

The route connects Ios with the northern Cyclades and ends in eastern Attica. It is useful for passengers travelling to the airport, Mesogeia, Nea Makri or the northern areas of Athens.

Golden Princess on the route

Golden Princess is a high-speed catamaran operated by Golden Star Ferries. It can carry up to 877 passengers and 180 vehicles and has a garage for cars and motorcycles.

Facilities on board include:

• Air-conditioned lounges
• Numbered aircraft-style seats
• Seats with tables
• Upgraded seating categories
• Café bar
• Wi-Fi
• Satellite television
• Lift and escalators
• Designated pet areas
• Vehicle garage

Cabins are not available. Passengers travel in a numbered seat or another seating category selected when the ticket is issued.

Car transport and boarding

Golden Princess has a vehicle garage. The vehicle must be included in the same booking as the driver, with the correct vehicle type, length and registration number.

Drivers should arrive at the port at least 60 minutes before departure. On busy travel days, arriving 90 minutes early reduces the risk of delays in the vehicle loading queue.

All other passengers must leave the car before it enters the garage and board through the foot-passenger entrance. The driver should carry:

• Vehicle ticket
• Driving licence
• Vehicle registration document
• Insurance certificate, if requested

The battery charge of fully electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles must not exceed 40%. For vehicles powered by LPG or natural gas, the fuel tank must not be more than 50% full.

Discounts for passengers and families

Golden Star Ferries offers discounts based on passenger age and eligibility. All supporting documents must be valid and presented during boarding.

Children and infants travel under the following terms:

• Infants and children up to 5 years old: free ticket
• Children aged 5 to 10: 50% discount

Students enrolled at Greek universities receive a 50% discount with a valid academic identity card. The discount does not apply to students of the Hellenic Open University.

Large families and families with three children receive discounts of 50% and 30% respectively, provided they present a valid certificate or card. A 50% discount is also available to passengers with a disability rating of 80% or higher, subject to the company's conditions.

Discounts cannot be combined. The booking applies the category that matches the passenger's details and supporting documents.

Find all the routes

Departure from Ios port

The ferry departs from Gialos, the only passenger port on Ios. The port is 2 kilometres from Chora and is connected by buses, taxis and local transfer services.

There is no permanently assigned numbered gate for Golden Princess. The port authority allocates the berth according to the day's traffic. Passengers should follow the announcements and instructions provided by the port staff.

Foot passengers should arrive at the port 60 minutes before departure. Those travelling with a car should arrive 90 minutes early, especially on busy travel days.

The port is small, and distances can be covered easily on foot. However, when several ferries arrive or depart within a short period, traffic increases along the waterfront road and at the vehicle entrance.

Arrival at Rafina port

Passengers arrive at the central port of Rafina. The vessel does not have a permanently assigned berth. The final docking position is determined by the port authority.

KTEL intercity bus stops, taxis, ticket agencies, restaurants and shops are located outside the port. Rafina is close to the airport and provides direct access to eastern Attica.

The scheduled arrival at 20:20 allows passengers to continue towards the airport or Athens, but it does not provide a safe connection for an evening flight. Vehicle unloading and delays during the crossing may significantly reduce the available transfer time.

Is the route suitable for a same-day trip?

The Ios - Rafina route is not suitable for a same-day visit to Attica. The arrival at 20:20 leaves no available return sailing to Ios on the same day.

This departure is practical for passengers who:

• Have accommodation in Attica for the night
• Are flying from the airport the following day
• Are travelling to eastern or northern Attica
• Are taking their own car
• Want to avoid traffic around Piraeus

This route is not a safe option for passengers with a flight on the same day.

Electronic ticket

Golden Star Ferries supports electronic tickets. After the booking is completed, passenger and vehicle tickets can be saved on a mobile phone.

Passengers need the following documents during boarding:

• Electronic or printed ticket
• Identity card or passport
• Driving licence for the driver
• Supporting document for a discounted fare
• Pet health booklet for a declared pet

A booking through booktickets.gr can include passengers, a vehicle, discounts and return tickets in the same transaction.

Return route from Rafina to Ios

The Rafina - Ios return route is operated by Golden Princess of Golden Star Ferries.

The ferry leaves Rafina at 07:20 and arrives in Ios at 11:45. The crossing takes 4 hours and 25 minutes, with stops at Tinos, Mykonos and Paros.

Passenger tickets start at €78, and car transport is available. The early departure requires an overnight stay near Rafina or a very early transfer from Athens.

Alternative ferry routes

The main alternative is the Ios - Piraeus connection, which also operates outside the summer season and offers more departure options.

Passenger tickets to Piraeus start at €55 on conventional ferries and €67.70 on high-speed vessels. Travel times range from 4 hours and 50 minutes to 10 hours and 40 minutes.

The route is served by Blue Star Ferries, Seajets and Fast Ferries. Conventional ferries have larger garages and cabins, while high-speed vessels reduce the journey time.

Piraeus is more convenient for central and southern Athens. Rafina provides easier access to the airport, Mesogeia and northern Attica.

Useful travel tips

• Arrive at Ios port 60 minutes before departure.
• When travelling with a car, arrive 90 minutes early.
• Check garage availability before completing the passenger ticket booking.
• Save the electronic ticket on your mobile phone.
• Keep your identification and discount documents together.
• Do not combine the scheduled arrival at 20:20 with an evening flight.
• Declare your pet when issuing the ticket.
• Confirm the final berth with the port staff.
• Check the battery level before boarding with an electric car.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Is there a daily ferry from Ios to Rafina?

During the high season, there is up to 1 sailing per day and 7 departures per week. The direct route does not operate during the low season.

Are there intermediate stops?

Yes. The ferry calls at Paros, Mykonos and Tinos before reaching Rafina. Passengers do not need to change ferries.

Can I travel with a car?

Yes. Golden Princess has a garage for cars and motorcycles. The vehicle must be included when making the booking.

Which gate does the ferry depart from?

The ferry leaves from Gialos port. There is no permanently assigned numbered gate, and the berth is allocated by the port authority.

Is an electronic ticket available?

Yes. The ticket can be saved on a mobile phone and used during boarding together with the required identification document.

How do I complete web check-in for Ios - Rafina?

Passengers can board directly without collecting a printed ticket at the port by completing web check-in through their booking email. Check-in is available from 48 hours until 2 hours before departure.

Web check-in Golden Star Ferries

Are cabins available on Golden Princess?

No. The ferry offers numbered seats, seats with tables and upgraded seating categories, but it does not have cabins.

Is the route suitable for a same-day trip?

No. The ferry arrives in Rafina at 20:20, and there is no return sailing to Ios on the same day.

In brief

The seasonal Ios - Rafina route is operated by Golden Star Ferries with Golden Princess. During the high season, there is up to 1 departure per day, leaving at 15:15 and arriving at 20:20.

Passenger tickets start at €78, while car fares begin at €83. The crossing takes 5 hours and 5 minutes, with stops at Paros, Mykonos and Tinos.

The route mainly serves passengers travelling to the airport, Mesogeia and eastern Attica. For central and southern Athens, the route to Piraeus provides more travel options.

Content editing: booktickets.gr

Last updated: September 2026