Piraeus - Koufonisia ferry tickets from €52.50

Piraeus - Koufonisia: ferry tickets and ferry routes

The journey from Piraeus to Koufonisia can be made either by conventional ferry or high-speed vessel. The choice makes a clear difference both to the duration of the trip and to the overall cost.

Blue Star Ferries currently provides the more economical option for passengers, while Seajets offers considerably shorter crossing times. Both companies operate vessels with vehicle garages, so travelling with a car is also possible.

At booktickets.gr, you can compare the available departures before booking and choose the option that best suits your schedule and total travel budget.

The main details of the route are:

• Cheapest available passenger ticket: from €52.50
• Car ticket: from €81
• First departure: from 06:45
• Last departure: until 18:30
• Fastest crossing: 4 hours
• Longest travel time: up to 9 hours and 35 minutes
• Frequency: from 3 days per week to daily services
• Total departures during the current 14-day period: 14
• Ferry companies: Blue Star Ferries, Seajets
• Ferries: Blue Star Naxos, Eurochampion Jet and Champions League Jet 2 on selected departures
• Ferry types: conventional and high-speed vessels
• Car transport: available
• Electronic ticket: available
• Route: no ferry change required, but with intermediate port calls

Which option is best for your trip

On this route, the fastest and the cheapest ferry are not the same option.

Blue Star Naxos, operated by Blue Star Ferries, is better suited to travellers who place greater importance on price, prefer a conventional ferry or want access to larger onboard spaces and cabins. It can also be a practical choice for families who do not mind spending more time at sea.

The high-speed vessels of Seajets offer a substantial advantage in journey time. The difference can amount to several hours, which matters when you want to arrive on the island earlier in the day.

When travelling with a car, comparing only the vehicle fare is not enough. Look at the total price for all passengers plus the car. A cheaper vehicle ticket can sometimes be combined with higher passenger fares.

Ferry routes and intermediate stops

The Piraeus - Koufonisia connection does not require passengers to change ferries. This does not mean that every service sails non-stop.

High-speed ferries call at key ports in the Cyclades, with Paros and Naxos included in several services before reaching Koufonisia.

Blue Star Naxos follows a longer itinerary. Its route can include Syros, Paros, Naxos, Iraklia and Schinoussa before arriving at Ano Koufonisi.

These intermediate port calls are one of the main reasons why the conventional ferry takes longer.

For passengers, the process remains simple. There is no need to leave the vessel or board another ferry at an intermediate port. You remain on the same ship until Koufonisia.

Ferries Piraeus - Koufonisia

The vessels operating on the route have quite different characteristics.

Blue Star Naxos

Blue Star Naxos, operated by Blue Star Ferries, is a conventional passenger and vehicle ferry.

Facilities include:

• Airline-style seats
• Cabins
• Pet-friendly cabins
• Air-conditioned indoor areas
• Café and bar
• Restaurant facilities
• Wi-Fi
• Outdoor deck
• Designated pet areas
• Facilities for passengers with reduced mobility
• Vehicle garage

Cabin accommodation can be especially useful on longer or overnight crossings, particularly when the ferry reaches Koufonisia after midnight.

Eurochampion Jet

Eurochampion Jet, operated by Seajets, is a high-speed passenger and vehicle catamaran.

It can carry up to 1,100 passengers and has garage capacity for up to 130 vehicles. Onboard facilities include a café-bar, Wi-Fi, pet areas, accessibility facilities, a lift and electronic ticket services.

Its main advantage on this route is the substantial reduction in the amount of time passengers spend at sea.

Champions League Jet 2

Champions League Jet 2, operated by Seajets, is also used on selected departures. It is another high-speed vessel designed for fast connections across the Cyclades.

The vessel assigned to a particular service can change within the seasonal timetable. For this reason, the actual ferry shown for your chosen travel date is more important than relying on a general fleet schedule.

Departure from the port of Piraeus

Conventional Blue Star Ferries services to Koufonisia operate from the E6 - E7 gate area at the port of Piraeus.

High-speed Seajets vessels heading to the Cyclades use the Cyclades departure area. The exact berth should always be checked on the ticket before boarding.

Departure gates can change for operational reasons. The gate stated on the ferry ticket and the electronic information boards at the port should therefore take priority.

The port of Piraeus is extensive, and the distance between different gates can be significant.

Passengers travelling with Blue Star Ferries should be at the boarding area at least 1 hour before departure. Foot passengers travelling with Seajets should arrive at least 30 minutes before departure.

Passengers travelling with a vehicle should be at the loading area at least 1 hour earlier.

If you are travelling from Athens, allow additional time to reach the port and walk from the Metro station to the correct gate.

Car transport to Koufonisia

Unlike some other small island destinations, the ferry route to Koufonisia allows passengers to travel with their own car.

Both Blue Star Naxos and the larger high-speed vessels of Seajets used on the connection are equipped with vehicle garages.

Before deciding to take a car to the island, consider how you intend to move around once you arrive. Ano Koufonisi is small, the main distances are short and many visitors choose to walk, cycle or use local transport.

If Koufonisia is part of a longer trip through the Cyclades, however, taking your own vehicle may be more practical.

What works best for families

For a family, the lowest total cost cannot be calculated from the basic passenger fare alone.

A conventional ferry becomes more attractive when several people are travelling together, as the basic passenger fare is lower. For a longer crossing, booking an assigned seat or cabin may also be worthwhile.

Families who place greater importance on travel time can consider the high-speed services. Reaching the island earlier reduces the number of hours children need to spend on board.

Free or reduced fares are available for children and infants, based on age and the conditions set by each ferry company.

Cabins and seating

Cabin accommodation mainly applies to Blue Star Naxos. The vessel has 102 beds, together with dedicated cabins for passengers with reduced mobility and travellers accompanied by pets.

For a morning sailing, many passengers choose economy class or a reserved airline-style seat.

On afternoon departures that reach the island during the night, a cabin provides a different level of comfort. It can be particularly useful for families, elderly travellers or passengers travelling with a young child.

The high-speed vessels of Seajets offer different seating categories rather than cabins for this specific connection.

Ferry ticket discounts

Available reductions depend on both the ferry company and the passenger's eligibility category.

Reduced fares are offered to Students at Greek public universities, passengers with disabilities and other eligible traveller categories.

Large families may also qualify for special family fares when the company's requirements are met.

Seajets provides, among other reductions, a 50% discount for students at Greek public universities, a 50% reduction for eligible large families and a 30% reduction for qualifying families with three children in economy class.

Blue Star Ferries also offers several discount categories, together with the Seasmiles loyalty programme, through which members can access special fares and additional benefits.

In every case, passengers must carry the supporting document required for the discount when boarding.

Find all the routes

What changes between high and low season

The difference in ferry frequency is noticeable across the year.

During the high season, Seajets adds more high-speed services, and on several dates travellers can choose from more than one departure from Piraeus.

Once peak summer traffic ends, the number of options decreases. Blue Star Ferries maintains the core connection, with fewer weekly sailings operating during the low season.

This matters most for travellers with fixed dates. During winter, it is better to organise both outbound and return ferries before confirming accommodation.

Electronic ticket and boarding

Both ferry companies support electronic tickets and web check-in.

After completing your booking, you can keep the boarding pass on your mobile phone and present it during boarding together with the required identification document.

Seajets makes online check-in available from 48 hours to 2 hours before departure. Blue Star Ferries also offers an e-ticket service.

Through booktickets.gr, you can complete your passenger and vehicle booking online and keep the details of your journey together in one place.

Arrival in Koufonisia

The ferry arrives at the main port of Ano Koufonisi on the southern side of the island.

Chora is located directly next to the port. Accommodation, restaurants, cafés and essential services can all be reached without a long transfer after disembarkation.

Ammos beach is also close to the port, making arrival particularly straightforward for travellers visiting the island without a car.

Koufonisia - Piraeus return route

The return journey from Koufonisia to Piraeus is operated by Blue Star Ferries and Seajets.

The high-speed ferry is better suited to travellers who want to reach mainland Greece faster. The conventional ferry takes longer but may provide a lower basic fare and the option of booking a cabin.

If you already know your return date, booking both directions from the beginning is preferable. This becomes more important during periods of high demand and when travelling with a car, as garage spaces are more limited than passenger capacity.

Alternative ferry routes to Koufonisia

If the connection from Piraeus does not suit your travel plans, Naxos is the main alternative transfer point for reaching Koufonisia.

Local ferries operate frequently between Naxos and Koufonisia with Blue Star Ferries, Seajets and Express Skopelitis.

Koufonisia also has ferry connections with:

• Amorgos
• Iraklia
• Schinoussa
• Naxos
• Paros

These connections make it possible to combine Koufonisia with other islands in the Cyclades without returning to mainland Greece between each destination.

Useful travel tips

If you are travelling with a car, arrive at the departure gate early. Vehicle loading takes longer than boarding as a foot passenger.

For a journey on a conventional ferry, consider whether an assigned seat or cabin is worth the additional cost. The extra comfort becomes more noticeable during a long crossing.

Download the electronic ticket to your phone before leaving home. Keep your identification and any documents required for a discount easily accessible as well.

When travelling with a vehicle on a high-demand date, avoid leaving your booking until the last moment. Garage capacity is smaller than the number of passenger seats available on board.

If you have a flight or another ferry connection after returning to Piraeus, leave enough time between the two journeys.

Frequently asked questions

Can I take a pet on the ferry to Koufonisia?

Yes. The vessels provide facilities for pets. Blue Star Naxos has kennels and dedicated pet-friendly cabins, while the high-speed vessels of Seajets provide designated areas for transporting pets. Passengers must carry the required documentation for their animal.

How much luggage can I take with me?

Seajets permits luggage with a total weight of up to 50 kg or a volume of up to 1 cubic metre per passenger. Valuable items, travel documents and electronic devices are best kept with you rather than inside luggage left in a shared storage area.

Can passengers with reduced mobility travel on the route?

Yes. Blue Star Naxos provides accessible common areas, a lift, wheelchair spaces and specially designed cabins. Eurochampion Jet also has accessibility facilities. The ferry company should be informed in advance when assistance is required during boarding.

What should I do if I have an electric or hybrid car?

When booking, you must declare that the vehicle uses alternative fuel or electric power. Specific maritime safety rules apply to electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, so the ferry company's instructions should be followed before boarding.

In brief

The Piraeus - Koufonisia route offers two clearly different ways to travel. The conventional ferry is better suited to travellers who focus on cost, onboard comfort and the availability of cabins. The high-speed ferry is aimed at passengers who want to reach the island several hours earlier.

Cars can be transported on both types of vessel. For families, it is useful to compare the total cost for all passengers and the vehicle rather than looking at a single fare.

For a short holiday, the high-speed ferry makes better use of the arrival day. For a longer stay, the cheaper conventional ferry may offer better overall value.

Content editing: booktickets.gr

Last updated: September 2026