Sailing the Greek Seas: A Journey Through Time
Cruise to the pearls of the Aegean; the Greek islands for an unforgettable Greek Holidays…
Greek Ferries
Ferries have been a part of Greek culture since ancient times. The earliest known ferry service was used by the ancient Greeks to transport goods and people across the Aegean Sea. This service was used by the Greeks to facilitate trade and travel between the islands and mainland Greece.
In the modern era, ferry services have evolved to become an integral part of the Greek transportation system. Ferries are now the main method of transportation for people and goods between the mainland and the islands. Ferries are also used to connect the mainland with other countries in the Mediterranean, such as Italy, Turkey, and Cyprus.
Types of Greek Ferries
There are several types of Greek ferries. The most common type is the conventional ferry, which is the traditional ferry that is used to transport people and goods between ports. These ferries are usually large vessels that are capable of carrying hundreds of passengers and vehicles.
High-speed ferries are also available in Greece. These vessels are typically smaller than conventional ferries and are able to travel at much higher speeds. High-speed ferries are used to reduce travel time between ports and are often used for shorter trips between islands.
Popular Greek Ferry Routes
The most popular ferry routes in Greece are between the mainland and the islands. The most popular route is from Athens to the Cyclades Islands, which consists of the islands of Mykonos, Santorini, and Paros. This route is popular due to its proximity to Athens, as well as its stunning views of the Aegean Sea.
Other popular routes include the ferry from Piraeus to the Dodecanese Islands, which includes the islands of Rhodes, Kos, and Karpathos. This route is popular due to its stunning views and its proximity to the Turkish coast.
Ferry Accommodations
Most Greek ferries offer a variety of accommodations for passengers. Economy class is the most basic type of accommodation, and typically includes seating in an open area with no private cabins. First class is the next level of accommodation, and typically includes cabins with private bathrooms and other amenities.
Luxury Greek ferries are also available in Greece. These vessels offer the highest level of accommodation and typically include private cabins with private bathrooms, dining areas, and other amenities. These vessels are typically used for longer trips between the mainland and the islands.
Greek Ferry Companies
Major passenger shipping and ferry companies operating in Greece, Italy, and the rest of the Mediterranean!
A.N.E KALYMNOU
A.N.E Kalymnou is a Greek ferry company that operates ferries to the Dodecanese islands and specifically to the island of Kalymnos. The principal of the company is to provide reliable and efficient ferry service to the Dodecanese Islands all year round.
AEGEAN FLYING DOLPHINS
Aegean Flying Dolphins is a Piraeus-based ferry company that operates round-trip ferries to the Sporades and Saronic Islands. The company also provides ferry connections between Volos Saronic Islands with its high-speed vessels.
AEGEAN SPEED LINES
Established in 2005, Aegean Speed Lines is a ferry company that operates frequent high-speed services between Piraeus and the western Cyclades islands such as Mykonos and Santorini. Offering high-level service and comfortable ferry connections to its passengers, the company operates mainly in the summer months.
AEGEON PELAGOS
Aegeon Pelagos is a subsidiary of the famous ANEK Lines ferry company and connects the Cyclades, Dodecanese and Crete with a single ferry – MF Prevelis. Starting from Piraeus, the route crosses the Cyclades, reaches Crete and ends in the Dodecanese.
ALKO FERRIES
Alko Ferries is a company connecting Skala Kamirou in Rhodes with the island of Halki by transporting passengers and vehicles.
ALPHA LINES
Alpha Lines is a ferry company operating from Piraeus to the islands of Hydra, Poros and Spetses by catamaran boats. One of the company’s goals is to get you to your destination quickly without wasting precious vacation time.
ANEK LINES
Established in Crete in 1967, Anek Lines organizes reciprocal ferry services between Patras and Igoumenitsa and the ports of Ancona, Bari and Venice. It also organizes daily ferry services from Piraeus port to Heraklion and Chania.
ANEK SUPERFAST
Founded in 1993 with the cooperation of two ferry companies, Anek Superfast connects Patras and Igoumenitsa with the ports of Ancona, Bari and Venice with regular ferry services throughout the year. Today, Anek Superfast, which is fully integrated with the Attica group with three ships, has been awarded for its environmental policy.
ANES FERRIES
Anes Ferries started its shipping life in 1979 with voyages between Rhodes and Symi. Today, the company connects Piraeus to Sporades, Evia and Rhodes to Symi. The aim of the company is to provide the best service to its passengers.
BLUE STAR FERRIES
Founded in 1965 by the Kefalonian Strintzis family as ‘Strintzis Lines’, Blue Star Ferries is the largest ferry company in Greece. Blue Star Ferries connects Piraeus in Athens with ferry services to the Cyclades, Dodecanese, North Aegean Islands, and Crete island groups.
BOATMAN UNION OF SANTORINI
The Santorini Boatmen’s Association offers daily sailings from Santorini to Folegandros, Ios, Sikinos and Anafi during the summer months.
DODECANESE FLYING DOLPHINS
Founded in Rhodes in 1997, Dodecanese Flying Dolphins was established with three high-speed vessels connecting Rhodes to Turkey. All ships of Dodecanese Flying Dolphins are powered by the latest technology and fully comply with the latest safety rules.
DODEKANISOS SEAWAYS
Dodekanisos Seaways was established in 1999. Connecting the Dodecanese to the North Aegean with daily sailings all year round, Dodekanisos Seaways has two high-speed boats that are ideal for fast crossings and can also carry a limited number of cars. The company was rewarded for its high levels of service.
EUROPEAN SEAWAYS
Founded in Athens in 1990, European Seaways ferry company Brindisi organizes ferry services connecting Igoumenitsa and Corfu.
FAST FERRIES
Equipped with the most modern equipment and facilities to ensure a comfortable journey for its passengers, Fast Ferries was established in 1989 and connects the port of Rafina with its ferry services to Andros, Tinos and Mykonos.
FINIKAS LINES
Finikas Lines, which has three ships connecting the island of Corfu from the capital Kerkyra to the popular Albanian port city of Saranda, was founded in 1994 and operates under the name of Marina Denizcilik. It operates a variety of ferries, including ultra-fast flying dolphin hydrofoils.
GOLDEN STAR FERRIES
Golden Star Ferries started its operations in 2011 and connects Rafina, the second largest port of Athens, with the Cyclades islands such as Mykonos and Santorini. The company won recognition for its excellent service with the “Best Passenger Transport Company” award given to it in 2017.
GOUTOS LINES
Goutos Lines, which has been in operation for over 50 years, connects the port of Lavrio with its ferry services to the Cyclades islands Kea and Kythnos.
GRIMALDI LINES
Grimaldi Lines was founded in 1947 and connects the ports of Igoumenitsa, Corfu and Patras with the ports of Venice and Ancona with daily ferries. Ideal for cruising, all Grimaldi Lines ships feature multiple cabins, lounges and very spacious garages.
HELLENIC SEAWAYS
Hellenic Seaways, a member of the Attica Group with a total of 32 ships in four countries, operates ferries from Piraeus to the Cyclades, Sporades, the Southern Aegean and the Saronic Islands. The company has honored him with various awards such as Best Shipping Company (2009), Innovative Services Award (2014) and Tourism Award (2016).
IONION PEGALOS LINES
Ionion Pelagos, which is the only ferry company operating in the Ionian Islands, where the route from Astakos on the mainland to Kefalonia and Ithaki is located, has one ferry with a length of 76.5 meters, with a capacity of 100 vehicles and 350 passengers.
KARYSTIA LINES
Karystia N.E. It is a Greek ferry company operating in the Western Cyclades. Karystia N.E. It connects Athens’ port of Lavrio to two islands of the Cyclades, Kea, and Kythnos.
LEVANTE FERRIES
Founded in 2015, Levante Ferries today offers ferry services to its passengers with a fleet of 4 well-equipped cruise ships. In 2019, Lloyd’s List Awards named Levante Ferries as the best Greek shipping company and organizes regular flights to Zakynthos, Kylllini, Kefalonia, Ithaca and Patras. The Ionian Islands and Peloponnese are the main destinations for Levante Ferries ships.
MINOAN LINES
One of the oldest ferry companies in Greece, Minoanlines was founded in 1972. The company today has a fleet of five ferries. Minoan lines vessels operate from the ports of Crete between Piraeus and the Cyclades islands, and also offer voyages between Italy and Greece.
SARONIC FERRIES
Saronic Ferries was founded in 2013 and today operates four vessels, all capable of carrying passengers and vehicles. The company connects the Saronic islands (Aegina & Souvala, Agistri, Methana and Poros) to the port of Piraeus with a year-round daily service.
SEA DREAMS
Serving between Rhodes, Symi and Marmaris with its two fast catamarans, Sea Dreams was established in 1960 and serves its passengers with both regular ferry services and scheduled excursions.
SEA SPEED FERRIES
Established in 2018 to meet the needs of the islands, SeaSpeed ferries connect the port of Piraeus with Milos, Santorini and Crete. It guarantees a comfortable, short and safe journey for passengers.
SEAJETS
Founded in 1989, Seajets today has 18 ships and serves most of Greece’s islands and major ports. Connecting the ports of Piraeus, Lavrio and Rafina with its ships to the Cyclades, northern Aegean and Crete, Seajets has grown rapidly to become one of the most popular companies in Greece today. In 2018, the company was named ‘Passenger Line of the Year’ at the Lloyd’s List Greek Shipping Awards.
SMALL CYCLADES LINES
Small Cyclades Lines serves the small Cyclades islands and is headquartered in Amorgos. With daily ferry services, it is a lifeline for the Lesser Cyclades in both winter and summer. The company’s social awareness has been variously rewarded by local agencies, and the company was named ‘2013 Best Passenger Line of the Year’ at the 10th Annual Lloyd’s List Greek Shipping Awards.
TRITON FERRIES
Triton Ferries connects Athens’ port of Lavrio to the Cycladic islands of Kea and Kythnos, and the Greek town of Neapoli to the south with Kythira and Antikythira of the Peloponnese by two ferries. Both ferries can carry vehicles.
VENTOURIS FERRIES
Ventouris Ferries was established in 1976 and also serves domestic routes in Greece. Ventouris Ferries guarantees a pleasant journey and its passengers are sure to feel comfortable from the very first moment they board.
ZANTE FERRIES
Zante Ferries was established in Zakynthos in 1991 and connects Piraeus with daily ferry services to a wide variety of Cyclades islands including Santorini, Milos, Ios and more. The company operates two modern ships, both of which are capable of carrying vehicles.
