Piraeus - Samos ferry tickets from €59.50 & routes

Piraeus - Samos: ferry tickets and ferry routes

Before booking a ferry from Piraeus to Samos, there is one important choice to make: Karlovasi or Vathy. Samos has two main ports connected with Attica, and choosing the right one can significantly reduce the road journey after arriving on the island.

Karlovasi is more convenient for western and northern Samos. Vathy is a better option for Samos Town and the eastern side of the island.

Through booktickets.gr, you can compare available departures to both ports, choose a seat or cabin and add a car to the same booking.

The main details of the connection are:

• Cheapest available passenger ticket: from €59.50
• Car ferry ticket: from €125
• First departure: from 07:15
• Last departure: until 18:00
• Fastest crossing: 8 hours and 20 minutes to Karlovasi
• Longest current journey: up to 10 hours and 50 minutes to Vathy
• To Karlovasi: 3 - 5 departures per week, with 12 departures in the current two-week period
• To Vathy: 3 - 7 departures per week, with 8 departures in the current two-week period
• Ferry companies: Blue Star Ferries, Superfast Ferries
• Ferries: Blue Star Myconos and Lefka Ori on selected services
• Vessel type: conventional passenger and vehicle ferries
• Car and motorcycle transport: available
• Cabins: available
• Electronic ticket: available
• Ferry change: not required
• Intermediate stops: included on the route

Karlovasi or Vathy: which port should you choose

Travel time is not the only factor to consider. Where you are staying in Samos is even more important.

Karlovasi is located on the northwestern side of the island. It is the more practical arrival port for travellers staying in Karlovasi, Potami, Marathokampos, Ormos Marathokampou and several destinations in western Samos.

Vathy is more convenient for travellers heading to Samos Town, Kokkari and the eastern part of the island. Reaching Pythagoreio requires an additional road transfer, but the journey is easier from Vathy than from Karlovasi.

If you plan to rent a car, check in advance at which port the vehicle can be collected. This becomes particularly important when the ferry arrives after midnight.

Ferry routes from Piraeus to Samos

The two main ferry routes from Piraeus to Samos are:

1. Piraeus → Vathy, Samos: Piraeus - Vathy, Samos | booktickets.gr. Ferry tickets from €59.50, with a travel time starting from 8 hours 55 minutes.
2. Piraeus → Karlovasi, Samos: Piraeus - Karlovasi, Samos | booktickets.gr. Ferry tickets from €59.50, with a travel time starting from 8 hours 20 minutes.

You can also check the general Piraeus → Samos route page, which includes ferry options to both Vathy and Karlovasi.

Return ferry routes from Samos to Piraeus

The return ferry routes from Samos to Piraeus depart from the island’s two main ports:

1. Vathy, Samos → Piraeus:Vathy, Samos - Piraeus | booktickets.gr. Passenger ferry tickets from €51–€60.50, car tickets from €125, with a travel time starting from 8 hours 30 minutes.
2. Karlovasi, Samos → Piraeus: Karlovasi, Samos - Piraeus | booktickets.gr. Passenger ferry tickets from €51, car tickets from €125, with a travel time starting from 7 hours 30 minutes.

Which is the fastest ferry route

The shortest travel time is to Karlovasi. The morning departure at 07:15 can arrive at 15:35, completing the crossing in 8 hours and 20 minutes.

For Vathy, the fastest option is operated by Lefka Ori and takes 8 hours and 55 minutes. The ferry departs at 18:00 and arrives at 02:55 the following day.

If arriving in Samos within the same calendar day is more important, the morning Blue Star Myconos services are more practical. The Karlovasi ferry arrives during the afternoon, while selected services to Vathy reach the port at 16:40.

Which is the cheapest ferry route

The lowest available economy class passenger fare starts from €59.50.

Price alone should not determine the final choice. On this route, the arrival time can also affect the total cost of the journey. An arrival after midnight may require a pre-booked taxi or special arrangements for collecting a rental car.

For a family or group, compare the combined cost of passenger tickets, the vehicle and a cabin. This gives a clearer picture of which departure is actually the most economical for the entire trip.

Ferries Piraeus - Samos

The connection is served by large conventional passenger and vehicle ferries. High-speed vessels are not used on the main route.

Blue Star Myconos

Blue Star Myconos, operated by Blue Star Ferries, is the main vessel serving both Karlovasi and Vathy.

It can carry 1,915 passengers, has 104 berths and offers 430 linear metres of garage capacity.

Facilities on board include:

• Cabins
• Cabins for passengers with reduced mobility
• Pet-friendly cabins
• Numbered airline-style seats
• Air-conditioned indoor areas
• Café and bar
• Self-service restaurant
• Outdoor deck
• Wi-Fi
• Shop
• Lift and escalators
• Kennels
• Garage for cars and motorcycles

For a daytime crossing, a numbered seat is a practical option between basic economy accommodation and a cabin.

Lefka Ori

Lefka Ori, operated by Superfast Ferries, is used on selected services to Vathy.

It is also a conventional passenger and vehicle ferry. The ship carries 1,488 passengers and provides a large vehicle garage, cabins and 580 berths.

Onboard facilities include numbered seats, café, bar, self-service and a la carte restaurants, Wi-Fi, a shop, lifts, pet areas and cabins designed for passengers with reduced mobility.

Lefka Ori offers a travel-time advantage on selected Vathy connections, although several of these services arrive during the night.

Direct ferry routes and intermediate stops

Passengers book one ticket from Piraeus to their chosen port in Samos and do not need to change vessels.

The journey can, however, include several intermediate port calls.

Blue Star Myconos may call at:

• Syros
• Mykonos
• Evdilos in Ikaria
• Agios Kirykos
• Fourni
• Karlovasi before continuing to Vathy

The order of the port calls can differ from one departure to another. This is one reason why two journeys operated by the same vessel may have different total travel times.

Which gate do the ferries depart from

Blue Star Myconos departs from Gate E7 at the port of Piraeus.

Lefka Ori uses Gate E1 for the current departures.

Berthing positions can change for operational reasons. Before travelling to the port, check the gate printed on your ticket and the electronic information boards.

The distance between E1 and E7 is considerable. If you are arriving from Athens by Metro or suburban railway, allow additional time to move through the port.

How early should you arrive at the port

Foot passengers should aim to be at the departure gate at least 1 hour before departure.

If you are travelling with a car or motorcycle, arriving 1 hour and 30 minutes before departure is more practical. Vehicle loading begins earlier, and reaching the garage queue shortly before boarding closes is not recommended.

Once the ferry has departed, passengers cannot access the garage. Medicines, documents, chargers and anything else you may need during the journey should therefore remain in your hand luggage.

Is it worth taking a car to Samos

Samos is a large island, and the distances between different areas can be significant. For a stay of several days, having a car provides greater freedom than on smaller islands.

A standard car ferry ticket starts from €125. Blue Star Myconos and Lefka Ori both have garages for cars and motorcycles.

Taking your own vehicle can be especially useful if:

• You are staying for several days
• You want to visit different beaches and villages
• You are travelling with children and several pieces of luggage
• Your accommodation is far from the arrival port
• You want to avoid the cost of renting a car locally

For a short stay in Karlovasi or Vathy, it is worth comparing the ferry transport cost with the price of renting a vehicle after arrival.

What works best for a family

On a long route such as Piraeus - Samos, arrival time is particularly important for families.

The morning departure at 07:15 allows passengers to reach the island during the afternoon. This avoids a transfer from the port in the middle of the night and leaves time to collect a rental car or travel to the accommodation.

If a night arrival is selected, booking a cabin can make the journey more comfortable, especially for families travelling with young children.

For children and infants up to 4 years old, travel in economy class is free with the issue of a zero-value ticket. A 50% reduction applies to numbered seats and berths. Children aged 5 to 10 are also entitled to a 50% discount.

Ferry ticket discounts

Discounts offered by Blue Star Ferries cover several passenger categories on North Aegean routes.

Students enrolled at Greek public universities are entitled to a 50% reduction on passenger fares, excluding certain premium accommodation categories.

Large families can use a 50% discount in economy class and on numbered seats, while a smaller reduction applies to selected higher accommodation categories.

A 50% reduction is also available to passengers with a certified disability rate of 80% or higher, subject to the company's conditions.

Discounts cannot be combined. Passengers must carry the supporting document proving their eligibility when boarding.

Find all the routes

What changes between high and low season

During summer and other high-demand periods, there are more departure options to both ports of Samos.

In the low season, ferry frequency decreases. Karlovasi maintains a core schedule of 3 - 5 weekly services, while the Vathy connection ranges from 3 to 7 departures per week during the year.

Departure times also change. Morning sailings are not available every day. On several dates, ferries leave during the afternoon and reach Samos after midnight.

When travelling outside the high season, it is better to book both outbound and return ferry tickets first and then confirm the accommodation.

Electronic ticket and web check-in

Electronic tickets are available on this route.

Web check-in opens 48 hours before departure and closes 2 hours before departure. The boarding pass can be saved on a mobile phone, so passengers do not need to collect a printed ticket from the port.

Through booktickets.gr, you can complete a booking for passengers, cabins and vehicles and select any discount for which you are eligible.

Web check-in Blue Star Ferries

Having an e-ticket does not mean that you can arrive later at the gate. The required arrival times for both passengers and vehicles remain unchanged.

Piraeus - Samos for same-day travel

The route is not suitable for a same-day excursion with a return to Piraeus.

Morning departures can, however, provide arrival in Samos on the same day. This is different from travelling to the island and returning on the same date.

For Karlovasi, the morning ferry arrives between 15:35 and 16:15. Selected morning connections to Vathy also reach the island during the afternoon.

If you want to make better use of your first day on Samos, these departures are more practical than afternoon sailings that reach the island during the night.

Samos - Piraeus return route

The return journey Samos - Piraeus can depart from either Karlovasi or Vathy.

If you are travelling with a car or want a cabin, it is useful to book the return journey together with the outbound ticket. Garage spaces and cabins are more limited than standard passenger capacity.

The return port does not have to be the same as the arrival port. For example, you can arrive in Karlovasi and return from Vathy if that fits better with your planned route around the island.

Alternative ferry routes to Samos

The first alternative is simply to change the arrival port. If there is no suitable departure to Karlovasi, check Vathy, and vice versa.

Another option is to travel through Mykonos. You can book a separate Piraeus - Mykonos ticket and then continue with a Mykonos - Samos ferry.

In this case, leave a generous time gap between the two ferries. These are separate bookings, and a delay on the first service does not guarantee that you will be able to board the second ferry.

Samos also has ferry connections with Ikaria, Fourni, Chios, Mytilene, Lemnos, Kavala and Thessaloniki through selected seasonal or scheduled services.

Useful travel tips

Before paying for the ticket, check whether you have selected Karlovasi or Vathy. Travelling by road between the two ports requires additional time.

If your ferry arrives after midnight and you do not have your own vehicle, arrange transportation to your accommodation before travelling.

For a daytime crossing, a numbered seat provides an assigned place without the additional cost of a cabin.

For an overnight journey, a cabin can be more useful. Book early when travelling on high-demand dates.

When travelling with a vehicle, enter its dimensions and type correctly. Campers, trailers and high vehicles are charged under different fare categories.

Keep essential items in your hand luggage, as you will not be able to return to the garage while the ferry is at sea.

Frequently asked questions

Can I travel to Samos with a pet?

Yes. Ferries provide dedicated areas for pets, while pet-friendly cabins are available in selected accommodation categories. The pet must be included in the reservation, and the passenger must carry the required documentation.

Is Wi-Fi available on the ferries?

Yes. Both Blue Star Myconos and Lefka Ori provide Wi-Fi services. Access conditions and charges may differ based on the service selected on board.

Are there facilities for passengers with reduced mobility?

Yes. The ferries provide accessible public areas, lifts and specially designed cabins. When assistance is required during boarding or disembarkation, the ferry company should be informed in advance.

What applies to electric and plug-in hybrid cars?

Alternative-fuel vehicles must be declared correctly when booking. Electric and plug-in hybrid cars are subject to specific maritime transport safety requirements, including rules concerning battery condition before boarding.

In brief

The Piraeus - Samos route is not a single travel option. Passengers should first decide whether Karlovasi or Vathy is more convenient for their trip.

Karlovasi provides the fastest journey and is better positioned for the western side of the island. Vathy is more convenient for Samos Town and eastern Samos.

The route is served by conventional passenger and vehicle ferries, with car transport, cabins, numbered seats and electronic tickets available.

For families or travellers taking a vehicle, the arrival port and arrival time can be more important than the basic ticket fare alone.

Content editing: booktickets.gr

Last updated: September 2026