How reliable are ferries in Greece?

Despite the unreliable Greek ferry system, it is still the most efficient and busiest in the world. There is no need to arrive at any port more than 30 minutes before the time. Ferries never leave before the scheduled time.



Greek ferries are remarkably reliable during the peak travel season (May through September), acting as the "highways" of the Aegean Sea. Major companies like Blue Star Ferries and SeaJets maintain high standards of punctuality for their daily routes. However, reliability is subject to the Meltemi winds—strong northern winds that can cause smaller high-speed catamarans to be cancelled for safety reasons. In 2026, the larger, conventional "slow" ferries are considered the most reliable option because they can handle rougher seas that would ground the faster hydrofoils. It is a standard travel rule in Greece never to book a flight home on the same day you take a ferry from an island back to Athens; always leave a "buffer night" in case of weather-related delays. While mechanical failures are rare, strikes by maritime unions can occasionally shut down all ferry traffic, so it is essential to monitor local news or use apps like "Ferryhopper" for real-time status updates and cancellation notifications.

People Also Ask

Ferry cancellations can happen. They are rare but they can happen 2 - 5 times a year for 12 - 48 hours. It's really somehting not predictable and may change from year to year.

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Ferries will leave on-time from their first departure port in the morning (usually large ports like Piraeus, Heraklio, and Rhodes) but will often be late arriving and departing from all onward ports – usually getting later as the day progresses.

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Things to Know About Taking Greek Ferries Most ferries don't sell out, but if you're trying to plan, you can go ahead and book 2 to 3 months in advance. Keep in mind that some ferries are seasonal and don't run all year long. For those who are island hopping, Eurail offers a ferry pass for the Greek Islands.

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Greeka Ferries is one of the best and top-rated online booking engines for ferry tickets to Greece and the Greek Islands!

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If you are running late and are likely to miss your ferry, we suggest proceeding to the port to see if the ferry company will allow you to change the ticket to a different day or departure time. Keep in mind that if you do miss your ferry, the tickets are non-refundable.

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Most ferries don't sell out, but if you're trying to plan, you can go ahead and book 2 to 3 months in advance.

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Chances are high of getting seasick; come prepared People who don't typically suffer from motion sickness often get seasick on ferries. The water gets seriously choppy and very uncomfortable at times. You have nothing to lose! Come prepared; take Dramamine at least 30 minutes before your trip.

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That said, some ferries sell out, or require you to reserve a spot in advance (especially if you bring a vehicle). Tickets are often more expensive when purchased at the last minute, so by planning ahead and buying your tickets online you can likely save some money.

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The upper decks of ferry boats can be very windy, while the constant running of air conditioning in the cabins below deck can sometimes make them even chillier than upper deck temperatures. To make sure that your trip is as enjoyable as possible, be sure to pack a sweater or light-weight jacket for the ferry ride.

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The ticket price is the SAME regardless of the vendor –your ticket costs the same even when purchasing it from the ferry company or a travel agency- and your location. Whether you purchase your ticket in Greece, another European country or even outside Europe, the cost of your ticket is exactly the same.

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To save time, consider flying. Compared with boats, flights are less likely to be delayed or canceled, tend to offer more frequent connections, and are much faster — but often more expensive.

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If you book your return trip at the same time as your outbound trip you are entitled to a discount (usually between 20%-30%) on the return trip tickets (not the entire reservation). If you book your outbound tickets and return later to book your return separately, you are not entitled to the return trip discount.

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Philippine ferry was overloaded when it flipped over, leaving 27 dead, official says. MANILA, Philippines -- The skipper of a Philippine ferry which flipped over in a lake in an accident that killed 27 passengers decided to sail despite knowing that his boat was filled beyond capacity, the coast guard chief said Friday ...

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