How To Travel Between The Greek Islands & Island Hop Greece

Santorini is the poster child for Greek island dreams, but it’s only one piece of the puzzle. If you’re planning an island-hopping trip soon and wondering how to travel between the Greek islands, the best route comes down to two practical things: which island group you want and what the ferry and flight schedules look like for your travel month.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the main island groups, the most common ferry routes travelers actually use, and how to plan a realistic hop-by-hop itinerary so you spend less time wrestling timetables—and more time on beaches, in villages, and at waterfront tavernas.

You must first know that the Greek islands are divided into different island groups. As well as that, some islands are extremely popular among Greek island-hopping tourists, while others, equally enchanting, are almost unknown and offer a great vacation spot for those looking for less crowded places… which often come with much lower price tags too!

So, let’s get started and show you the best way to island hop in Greece;

Greek Islands Groups Explained

Let’s take a look at the Greek islands and which island groups they belong to.

Below are the most common island-to-island and mainland-to-island routes travelers actually use, based on ferry availability, seasonality, and travel time.

Most Popular Greece Ferry Routes For Island Hopping

When planning those unforgettable Greek island-hopping adventures, deciding where to go first or how long to stay is a decision that will be subject to the Greek islands’ ferry routes, ferry schedules, and your Greek budget.

Ferry schedules change by season and can be disrupted by high winds (especially in the Aegean). Always double-check the latest timetable for the week of travel and keep a buffer day if you have a flight or a fixed check-in.

Are you ready to start planning your Greek island-hopping vacation? Let’s go! This article offers a sweeping overview of how to island-hop in Greece. But, first things first, are you starting on the mainland?  If so, read this section:

How To Reachthe  Greek Islands From Athens

Athens, the capital of Greece, offers access to all the Greek islands by plane or ferry. Popular islands, including Rhodes, Corfu, Crete, Mykonos, and Santorini, can be reached by flying out from Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport.

 

Athens Ferry Ports: Piraeus, Rafina, And Lavrio

It’s also a popular choice to travel by sea. You can reach most Greek islands from the main Port of Piraeus, about 30 minutes from the center of Athens. However, it would help if you also kept in mind that there are other ports you can depart from. Lavrio and Rafina are two smaller island ports in Athens with regular ferry services to different Greek islands.

• From Lavrio, you can reach Kea (Tzia), Kythnos, and several Cyclades islands (such as Syros, Paros, Naxos, Ios, Sikinos, Folegandros, Kimolos, and Milos), depending on the season and operator.
• From Rafina: it’s possible to visit Cyclades islands such as Andros, Tinos, Mykonos, Naxos, Paros, Ios, and Santorini, depending on the season and operator.

You can choose between conventional ferries and high-speed ferries on many routes. These are ideal if you want to take a rented car or motorbike with you. 

Tickets are usually issued in the passenger’s name, and you’ll be asked for passenger details when booking. Bring the same ID you used to book (passport or national ID) in case it’s requested at check-in/boarding.

Corfu To Santorini, Mykonos, And Crete: Best Routes

Direct flights from Corfu to islands like Santorini, Mykonos, or Crete are limited and seasonal, so many itineraries route via Athens. Therefore, if flying is a must, the best way to get there is to fly to Athens and then take another flight to the island of your choice.

Other alternatives include taking the ferry from Corfu to the mainland and then boarding a bus to Athens. Once in the capital, you can choose either a ferry or a plane to reach Crete, Santorini, or Mykonos.

Another alternative is to reach Larissa from Corfu and take a train trip to Athens.

Crete To Santorini: Ferry Times And Tickets

Ferries connect Crete (Heraklion) and Santorini year-round, with significantly more crossings in summer than in winter.

The ferry times between these Greek islands range between 2 and 4 hours, depending on whether you take a fast or regular ferry. The cost of the ferry trip between Heraklion and Santorini varies widely by operator, season, and vessel type (often roughly €15–€93 one-way), and it can be a great day trip if you’re staying in Crete. This is one of the most popular ferry travel routes on the Greek islands.

Rhodes To Crete: Ferry Vs Flight

The trip from Rhodes to Crete can be quite long on a ferry. That’s why most travelers choose to fly from Heraklion, Crete’s capital. The flying time is about 50 minutes, and prices tend to be considerably high, so booking in advance is a good idea.

The Rhodes–Crete (Heraklion) route is typically operated by Blue Star Ferries, with sailings a few days per week depending on the season, and crossing times of 9–14+ hours, depending on the sailing.

It’s possible to board the ferry with a car, a motorbike, or a camper van. Since it’s such a long trip, the vessel offers facilities, including restaurants, bars, and shops, to make the journey more pleasant.

Mykonos To Santorini: Fastest Ferry Options

The only way to travel between Mykonos and Santorini is by ferry, since no direct flights connect the Aegean Islands.

Most Mykonos–Santorini sailings are high-speed and take roughly 2–3 hours; slower conventional sailings (when available) can take longer.

Since this is probably the most famous sea route during summer, it’s a better idea to book your ferry tickets well in advance – we suggest Ferryhopper for that here. The trip from Mykonos to Santorini is among the best Greek island-hopping experiences you can have.

Book your Santorini Day Trip From Mykonos here

Naxos, Paros, And Ios To Santorini: Ferry Connections

The three islands are connected by ferry routes year-round, with a significant increase in services during the high season.

The best way to travel among these islands is by boarding a fast ferry. Ferry travel times between these Greek islands range from 45 minutes to 2 hours (Paros-Naxos).

The three islands can also make an excellent escape from the bustle of Santorini and are the perfect destination for a one-day trip or a weekend away.

Rhodes To Santorini, Mykonos, And Other Cyclades

The best way to travel between the Greek Cycladic Islands and Rhodes is by boarding a ferry to Athens and, from there, boarding another ferry to any of the Cyclades Islands (or Rhodes).

It’s not common to find ferries departing from Rhodes with a stop on the Cyclades, but if you manage to book a vessel making a stop either in Naxos or Paros, it would unquestionably be a winning choice. Check with your ferry operator to find the best Greek island-hopping route for your trip.

Italy To Greece Ferries: Ancona And Other Ports

As we mentioned in this post about traveling from Italy to Greece, there are comfortable ways to connect both countries by plane or ferry. Ferries depart from Italy’s main ports, and it’s possible to board most vessels with a rental car or a motorbike.

Some of the ports are Bari, Ancona, and Venice, and they usually connect Italy to the Greek ports in the Ionian Sea, including Corfu, Igoumenitsa, and Patras.

Of course, routes (and prices) increase during the peak summer season, which is typically June through September.

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Greek Islands With Airports: Quick Reference

Let’s go island-by-island.

What Greek Islands Have Domestic Airports

• Chios Island
• Ikaria Island
• Kalymnos Island
• Kythira Island
• Milos Island
• Naxos Island
• Paros Island
• Skyros Island
• Syros Island

What Greek Islands Have International Airports

• Astypalea Island
• Corfu Island
• Crete Island
• Karpathos
• Kefalonia Island
• Kos Island
• Lemnos Island
• Lesvos Island
• Milos Island
• Rhodes Island
• Samos Island
• Santorini Island
• Skiathos Island
• Zakynthos

Airport “international vs domestic” status can be misleading for islands: many “international” island airports mainly receive seasonal international flights (often summer-only), while winter schedules may be domestic-only. Always check your exact travel month.

Best Greek Islands For Island Hopping By Travel Style

Deciding which Greek islands to include in your Greek island-hopping itinerary can be difficult. It depends on what activities you love doing and how you prefer to spend your vacation time.

Do you love sunbathing and swimming on sandy beaches? Do you dream of soaking in the whitewashed landscapes of Greece? Are you eager to climb mountains and fill your trip with incredible adventures? Do you want epic Greek nightlife?

There’s an island for every taste and every traveler… People usually choose to visit the most popular places either because they’ve heard about them or because other travelers have suggested them.

People often flock to places such as Santorini, Mykonos, Corfu, Hydra, and Crete, while there are hundreds of other Greek islands worth visiting.

If you’re visiting Greece for the first time and eager to discover some of the best islands, the best thing to do is travel around on a ferry. You can get to even some of the less-visited islands with ease. As you can see above, tons of ferries connect the Greek islands, making it super easy to have an unforgettable Greek island-hopping experience.

This can be one of the better-value options compared with flying on many routes, and ferries are also a common way locals travel—especially for island-to-island and mainland-to-island connections. You will immerse yourself in the right atmosphere that will set the pace for a relaxing trip.

One of the best Greek island-hopping tips we can give you is: don’t run against the clock. The most enjoyable way to visit Greece and the islands is to take one place at a time and enjoy it to the fullest. When it comes to island-hopping in the Greek Islands, I think that less is definitely more.