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Piraeus - Diafani, Karpathos ferry tickets and routes

The Piraeus - Diafani, Karpathos ferry route connects Attica with northern Karpathos. Passenger tickets start at €46.50, while car transport is available from €95.50. The driver's passenger fare is calculated separately.

The crossing takes from 15 hours and 45 minutes to 20 hours and 45 minutes. The route is operated by Blue Star Ferries with Blue Star Chios, a conventional passenger and vehicle ferry. The ship has a garage, cabins, aircraft-style seats, a restaurant, pet facilities and electronic ticket support.

Ferries do not operate daily. The main service includes up to two or three weekly sailings, while low-season availability may be reduced to one departure. Departure times published throughout the year range from 14:30 to 23:00. The regular Blue Star Chios sailing often leaves at 18:00.

The ferry departs from gate E1 at the Port of Piraeus. This is not a direct journey. Before reaching Diafani, the ship calls at ports in the Cyclades, Crete and the Dodecanese.

Key route information

• Cheapest passenger ticket: €46.50
• Car ticket: from €95.50
• Fastest crossing: 15 hours and 45 minutes
• Longest crossing: 20 hours and 45 minutes
• Earliest departure: 14:30
• Latest departure: 23:00
• Common Blue Star Chios departure time: 18:00
• Frequency: 1-3 departures per week
• Ferry company: Blue Star Ferries
• Vessel: Blue Star Chios
• Vessel type: conventional passenger and vehicle ferry
• Direct sailing: no
• Car transport: available
• Cabins: available
• Electronic ticket: available
• Departure gate: E1

The 14:30 and 23:00 departures are not offered on the same day. They represent the range of departure times available on different dates and during different operating periods.

Ferry routes from Piraeus to Diafani

On the main route, Blue Star Chios leaves Piraeus at 18:00. Arrival in Diafani takes place the following day.

On one of the faster services, the ferry reaches Diafani at 09:50. The total journey time is 15 hours and 50 minutes. Another weekly sailing arrives at 11:55, after 17 hours and 55 minutes.

Other route variations take up to 20 hours and 45 minutes. The difference comes from the number of intermediate ports and the time spent at each stop.

Which is the fastest sailing?

The fastest available crossing takes 15 hours and 45 minutes. It is operated by Blue Star Chios and includes shorter stops at the intermediate ports.

On the regular 18:00 service, one of the fastest options reaches Diafani at 09:50 the following morning. This is useful for travellers planning to continue to Olympos on the same day.

Which is the cheapest sailing?

The cheapest option is an economy-class ticket from €46.50. This fare covers one adult without a vehicle or cabin accommodation.

All services use a conventional ferry. There is no separate high-speed option, so the final price is mainly determined by the selected seat, cabin, travel date and vehicle category.

Passenger and vehicle ticket prices

The cheapest economy-class fare starts at €46.50. On dates with different availability, the basic fare may appear at €51, €53 or €59.

The main prices for this route are:

• Economy-class passenger: from €46.50
• Two adults: from €93
• Car: from €95.50
• Two adults with one car: from €188.50
• Aircraft-style seat: higher than the economy-class fare
• Cabin bed: displayed according to cabin type and availability
• Motorcycle: lower fare than a car

The vehicle ticket does not cover the driver or the other passengers. For two adults and one car, the total consists of two passenger tickets and the vehicle fare.

The final amount is shown before payment on booktickets.gr. Passengers should select Diafani as their destination rather than Karpathos in general, as the island has two separate ferry ports.

Diafani or Pigadia?

Karpathos has two passenger ports. Pigadia is on the southeastern coast and serves the island's capital. Diafani, Karpathos is on the northeastern side and mainly serves Olympos and northern Karpathos.

Diafani is 8 kilometres from Olympos. Pigadia is 70 kilometres away, and the drive between the two ports takes 1 hour and 20 minutes.

Passengers staying in Olympos, Diafani or northern Karpathos are better served by arriving at Diafani. Those staying in Pigadia, Arkasa or Amoopi need to allow for a longer road transfer.

Intermediate stops

The Piraeus - Diafani, Karpathos sailing is not direct. The exact sequence of stops changes between weekly departures.

On one published sailing, the ferry leaves at 18:00 and calls at:

• Santorini
• Anafi
• Sitia
• Kasos
• Pigadia, Karpathos
• Diafani

Arrival at Santorini is scheduled for 23:55, followed by departure at 00:55. The ferry then reaches Anafi at 02:15 and departs at 02:30. It calls at Sitia from 06:00 to 06:45, Kasos from 08:45 to 09:05 and Pigadia from 10:20 to 11:05. Arrival in Diafani is scheduled for 11:55.

On a faster service, Santorini is followed by Anafi, Kasos and Pigadia. Blue Star Chios then reaches Diafani at 09:50.

Passengers travelling to Diafani remain on board during the intermediate stops. Vehicles are not moved unless the crew provides different instructions.

Ferry company and vessel

The route is operated by Blue Star Ferries with Blue Star Chios. This is a conventional passenger and vehicle ferry designed for long-distance journeys across the Aegean.

The vessel is 141 metres long and 21 metres wide. Its maximum speed is 27 knots. It can carry up to 1,782 passengers and has 252 beds.

The garage has a capacity of 430 lane metres and accommodates cars, motorcycles and other vehicle categories. A vehicle space for Diafani must be reserved together with the passenger ticket.

Cabins and onboard facilities

Because this is a long crossing, a cabin is a practical option, particularly on evening departures. Blue Star Chios offers internal and external cabins, as well as cabins for passengers with disabilities and travellers with pets.

Onboard facilities include:

• Economy-class accommodation
• Aircraft-style seats
• Internal and external cabins
• Café and bar
• Open-deck bar
• Self-service restaurant
• Shop
• Wi-Fi
• Lift and escalators
• Telemedicine service
• Pet kennels
• Pet-friendly cabins
• Accessible passenger areas

Wi-Fi is available on board, but the connection may be limited in some parts of the Aegean. Tickets, travel documents and files required during the crossing should be saved before departure.

What works best for families

For families with young children, an evening departure with a cabin reduces the time spent in shared passenger areas. Much of the crossing takes place during the night.

Economy class keeps the ticket cost lower but does not provide a private room or bed. On a journey that may last more than 17 hours, the difference in comfort is considerable.

Children and infants up to 5 years old travel free in economy class, but a zero-fare ticket must still be issued. A 50% discount applies to cabins and aircraft-style seats. Children aged 5 to 10 receive a 50% reduction across the main accommodation categories.

What works best when travelling with a car

Taking a car is useful for travellers staying in northern Karpathos or planning to explore different parts of the island. Road distances are significant, while public transport does not serve every ferry arrival.

A car ticket starts at €95.50, excluding the driver's fare. For two adults travelling with one vehicle, the basic total starts at €188.50.

Medication, chargers, travel documents and clothing required during the journey should be removed from the vehicle before departure. Passengers cannot return to the garage while the ferry is at sea.

Passenger discounts

Students enrolled at Greek public universities receive a 50% reduction on passenger fares, excluding LUX cabins. A valid Greek student identity card must be presented.

International Student Identity Card holders also receive a 50% discount, subject to the company's exclusions and documentation rules.

Large families and families with three children receive a 50% discount on economy-class and aircraft-style seats aboard conventional vessels. Smaller reductions apply to selected higher accommodation categories.

Passengers with a disability rating of 80% or higher and eligible companions receive a 50% reduction. The same discount may apply to an eligible vehicle. Discounts cannot be combined.

Find all the routes

Departure from gate E1 in Piraeus

Blue Star Chios departs from gate E1 at the Port of Piraeus. This area serves ferries travelling to Karpathos, Kasos, Chalki and Rhodes.

Foot passengers should be at the gate 60 minutes before departure. Those travelling with a car should arrive 90 minutes in advance to allow enough time for ticket checks and vehicle loading.

Gate E1 is some distance from the metro station. Passengers arriving with luggage should include the transfer time within the port in their plans.

Arrival at the Port of Diafani

The port is beside the village of Diafani. Accommodation, tavernas and basic local services are within a short distance of the quay.

Olympos is 8 kilometres away, but transport after arrival should be arranged before travelling. A bus connection is not guaranteed for every ferry arrival.

Passengers continuing to Pigadia need 1 hour and 20 minutes by road. For early-morning or late-night arrivals, booking a taxi or arranging collection through the accommodation is the safest option.

Electronic tickets

Electronic tickets and online check-in are available on this route. Passengers can save the boarding code on their mobile phone and present it during ticket inspection.

The passenger's full name must match the identification document used for the journey. Vehicle reservations require the correct registration number and vehicle category.

An electronic ticket does not reduce the required arrival time at the port. Drivers must follow the loading order determined by the crew.

High and low season services

From June to September, up to two or three weekly departures may be available. Travellers have more possible dates, but the number of cabins and vehicle spaces on each ferry remains limited.

During the low season, the route may be reduced to one sailing per week. Intermediate stops and overall journey times may also change.

Passengers travelling with a car or requiring a cabin should search for a specific date. Passenger availability does not guarantee that garage space is also available.

Is a same-day trip possible?

A same-day outward and return journey is not possible. The fastest crossing takes 15 hours and 45 minutes, and there is no immediate return ferry after arrival.

Even when the ship reaches Diafani in the morning, the return journey to Piraeus operates on a different day. This connection is intended for a stay on Karpathos rather than a day trip.

Return route from Diafani to Piraeus

The return route from Diafani, Karpathos to Piraeus is operated by Blue Star Chios. The fastest available crossing takes 13 hours and 45 minutes.

On one published weekly route, the ferry arrives in Diafani at 20:20 and departs at 20:40. It then calls at Pigadia, Kasos, Sitia, Anafi and Santorini. Arrival in Piraeus is scheduled for 13:35 the following day.

On another sailing, the ferry leaves Diafani at 14:40 and reaches Piraeus at 05:55 on the second morning. The route includes stops at Pigadia, Kasos, Anafi and Santorini.

Alternative ferry routes

The first alternative is the Piraeus - Pigadia, Karpathos route. Pigadia has more available departures but is 70 kilometres from Diafani.

A second option is to travel to Rhodes and continue to Diafani on a local ferry. This requires two separate tickets and enough connecting time between the sailings.

For travellers heading to Olympos, arriving directly in Diafani remains the most practical option, as it avoids the 70-kilometre drive from Pigadia.

Useful travel tips

• Select Diafani as the arrival port, not only Karpathos.
• Check that gate E1 appears on the ticket.
• Arrive 60 minutes early without a vehicle and 90 minutes early when travelling with a car.
• Arrange transport from Diafani to Olympos or Pigadia before travelling.
• Keep medication, documents and chargers outside the vehicle.
• For an overnight crossing, a cabin provides a more comfortable journey.
• Check return availability and garage space separately.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

How much is the Piraeus - Diafani ferry ticket?

The cheapest passenger ticket starts at €46.50 for economy class.

How long is the ferry journey?

The crossing takes from 15 hours and 45 minutes to 20 hours and 45 minutes.

Which ferry company operates the route?

The route is operated by Blue Star Ferries with Blue Star Chios.

Is the sailing direct?

No. The ferry calls at ports in the Cyclades, Crete and the Dodecanese.

Can I take a car on the ferry?

Yes. Blue Star Chios has a vehicle garage. Car tickets start at €95.50.

Are cabins available?

Yes. Internal and external cabins are available, along with pet-friendly cabins and cabins for passengers with disabilities.

Which gate does the ferry depart from?

The ferry departs from gate E1 at the Port of Piraeus.

Is an electronic ticket available?

Yes. Electronic tickets and online check-in are supported.

How far is Diafani from Olympos?

The distance is 8 kilometres.

How far is Diafani from Pigadia?

The distance is 70 kilometres, and the drive takes 1 hour and 20 minutes.

Can I return on the same day?

No. The length of the journey and the different return days do not allow a same-day round trip.

In brief

The Piraeus - Diafani, Karpathos route serves northern Karpathos and Olympos. Passenger tickets start at €46.50, while car transport is available from €95.50.

The journey takes from 15 hours and 45 minutes to 20 hours and 45 minutes. Blue Star Ferries operates the route with the conventional ferry Blue Star Chios, which has a garage, cabins, aircraft-style seats and electronic ticket support.

The ferry leaves from gate E1 and calls at several intermediate ports before reaching Diafani. For travellers staying in Olympos, arriving at this port avoids the 70-kilometre road transfer from Pigadia.

Content editing: booktickets.gr

Last updated: September 2026