Samos - Thessaloniki | Ferry tickets and schedules

Samos - Thessaloniki: Travelling from the Aegean to Northern Greece

The ferry connection from Samos to Thessaloniki serves passengers travelling from the eastern Aegean to Macedonia without having to pass through Piraeus.

A distinctive feature of this route is that the ferry collects passengers from two different ports on Samos. Karlovasi is the first departure point, followed by Vathy, before the vessel continues towards the islands of the northeastern Aegean.

The service is operated by Blue Star Ferries with the Blue Star Myconos, a passenger and vehicle ferry that carries travellers, cars and motorcycles.

Through booktickets.gr, you can search for the connection that suits you, selecting the correct departure port and travel date.

Vathy or Karlovasi: Which departure port should you choose?

Choosing your departure port is the first step in planning your journey.

Vathy is located on the eastern side of Samos, next to the island's capital. It serves travellers staying in Samos Town, Pythagoreio and the surrounding areas.

Karlovasi is situated on the western side of the island and is a practical option for passengers staying in Neo Karlovasi, Potami or settlements in northwestern Samos.

There is no need to travel to Vathy if a suitable departure is available from Karlovasi. Similarly, passengers staying near Samos Town can board at Vathy.

When booking, you must select the port where you intend to board, as your ticket is issued for a specific departure location.

How much do Samos - Thessaloniki ferry tickets cost?

Ticket prices differ between the two departure ports on Samos.

1. Vathy - Thessaloniki: economy class passenger ticket from €41.50.
2. Karlovasi - Thessaloniki: economy class passenger ticket from €49.
3. Vathy - Thessaloniki: private car ticket from €130.
4. Karlovasi - Thessaloniki: private car ticket from €112.50.

These are available reference fares rather than guaranteed final prices for every departure date.

Choosing a numbered seat or cabin changes the total cost. The car ticket is issued separately from the driver's passenger ticket.

For families and groups travelling together, it is useful to calculate the combined cost of all passenger and vehicle tickets before completing the booking.

What days and times do ferries depart?

The connection operates with a weekly sailing. Under the regular winter timetable, departures from Samos take place during the early hours of Saturday morning.

For departures from 21 November to 27 February:

1. Departure from Karlovasi on Saturday at 01:00.
2. Departure from Vathy on Saturday at 02:20.
3. Arrival in Thessaloniki on Saturday at 18:50.

Different times apply to the departure on 14 November:

1. Karlovasi: 02:35.
2. Vathy: 03:55.
3. Thessaloniki: 20:25.

For the holiday departures on 26 December and 2 January, the timetable provides:

1. Departure from Karlovasi at 21:50.
2. Departure from Vathy at 23:00.
3. Arrival in Thessaloniki the following day at 15:00.

These specific dates follow a different schedule from regular departures. Check your chosen travel date before purchasing tickets.

The Blue Star Myconos route to Thessaloniki

After leaving Samos, the Blue Star Myconos follows a route connecting major ports in the northeastern Aegean.

The ports along the journey are:

1. Karlovasi, Samos.
2. Vathy, Samos.
3. Chios.
4. Mytilene, Lesvos.
5. Myrina, Lemnos.
6. Thessaloniki.

Passengers boarding at Karlovasi remain on the vessel during its call at Vathy.

The intermediate stops allow passengers and vehicles to embark and disembark. There is no need to change ferries to continue towards Thessaloniki.

Travelling in a cabin, numbered seat or economy class

The long journey makes choosing suitable accommodation on board particularly important.

Economy class is intended for passengers who want to keep travel costs lower. Numbered seats provide an assigned place in an indoor passenger lounge.

A cabin offers a private space for resting and is especially useful when the journey includes overnight hours.

Passengers departing from Karlovasi board earlier than those departing from Vathy, which is worth considering when planning rest during the crossing.

Available cabin and seating categories can be checked when searching for a specific departure.

Departing from Karlovasi Port

Karlovasi Port is located in northwestern Samos and serves passenger and vehicle ferries.

Address: Karlovasi Port, Karlovasi 83200, Samos, Greece.

Karlovasi Port - Google Maps

Passengers can reach the port by private car, taxi or available local transportation.

Because regular departures take place shortly after midnight, it is essential to pay attention to the date printed on your ticket.

For example, a departure in the early hours of Saturday means that you should arrange your journey to the port for Friday evening.

Boarding at Vathy Port in Samos

Vathy Port is located near the centre of Samos Town, providing access to shops, restaurants and local services.

Address: Vathy Port, Samos 83100, Greece.

Vathy Port - Google Maps

Travellers arriving from Pythagoreio or other parts of eastern Samos should allow enough time to reach the passenger port.

When departures take place at night, local bus services may be limited. Transportation by taxi or private vehicle should therefore be arranged in advance.

Arriving in Thessaloniki and continuing your journey

The ferry arrives at the Port of Thessaloniki, close to the historic city centre and the Ladadika district.

Address: Port of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki 54625, Greece.

Port of Thessaloniki - Google Maps

From the port, you can continue towards the city centre by taxi or available public transportation.

The port's central location is convenient for passengers staying in central Thessaloniki, attending business meetings or continuing their journey to other cities in Macedonia.

If you plan to travel onwards by train, intercity bus or another transport service, allow sufficient time after the ferry's scheduled arrival.

Taking a car or motorcycle on the ferry

The Blue Star Myconos has a vehicle garage, allowing passengers to travel with their own means of transportation.

Taking a car is useful for travellers who intend to continue driving from Thessaloniki to other parts of Northern Greece.

When booking, you must declare the vehicle category. If your car has a roof box or additional equipment, its correct overall dimensions must be provided.

Drivers follow the crew's instructions when boarding, parking in the garage and disembarking.

Passengers travelling with vehicles should arrive at the port sufficiently early.

Ferry ticket discounts for passengers and families

Special discounts may apply on the Samos - Thessaloniki route, provided the ferry company's eligibility requirements are met.

The main categories worth checking are:

1. Discounts for children and infants.
2. Student ferry ticket discounts.
3. Discounts for large families and families with three children.
4. Discounts for passengers with disabilities.
5. Return ferry ticket offers.
6. Offers for passengers travelling with a car.

To receive a discount, passengers must select the appropriate category and have the necessary supporting documents.

The availability of each offer should be confirmed for the specific departure and ticket category.

How to book Samos - Thessaloniki ferry tickets online

Booking online through booktickets.gr allows you to organise your journey without visiting a physical ticket office.

1. Select Karlovasi or Vathy as your departure port.
2. Choose Thessaloniki as your destination.
3. Enter your travel date.
4. Check the available ferry departure.
5. Add the passengers.
6. Choose economy class, a numbered seat or a cabin.
7. Add a car or motorcycle if you are travelling with a vehicle.
8. Select any discounts you are entitled to.
9. Review your details and complete the payment.

For your return journey, you can search for the Thessaloniki - Samos ferry connection, choosing Vathy or Karlovasi as your arrival port.

Frequently asked questions about the Samos - Thessaloniki ferry

Can I depart from Karlovasi and return to Vathy?

Yes, provided suitable ferry services are available on your preferred dates. The departure and return ports can be selected separately when booking.

Do I need to change ferries in Chios or Mytilene?

No. The route is operated by the same vessel, which makes the intermediate port calls and continues to Thessaloniki.

Can I travel with a pet?

Blue Star Ferries permits pets according to its transportation regulations. The animal must be declared during booking and accompanied by the necessary documentation.

Is Web Check-in available?

For bookings that support online check-in, passengers can follow the instructions provided with their ticket confirmation.

What happens if the departure time changes?

If a departure changes due to weather conditions or operational requirements, passengers should contact the ferry company or their booking provider to find out about the available options.

Content editing and review: booktickets.gr