Syros, with its pastel houses bathed in foam and piercing blue, is Queen of the Cyclades. How do I get to Syros from Athens by ferry?
From the sea, the island of Syros may seem arid, almost remote. Then you turn a corner. Two hills flap their wings. Pastel spots bead on the flanks. Here is the town of Hermes, built like an amphitheatre. We disembark in Ermoupolis, capital of the Cyclades. Your first glimpse is of the neoclassical houses. Then, finally, you step into the old-fashioned lanes leading to elegant squares brimming with history. The upper town seems to stand side by side with the sun. In the distance, on the rocky outcrop, the Catholic bastion proudly stands watch. Around it, glass roofs lead to luxurious, refined homes. But there’s nothing quite like strolling along the stone staircases, vaulted passageways and dollhouse-like facades. They lead to the discovery of more humble, interlocking cottages covered in magenta bougainvillea. Then, as you move deeper into the island, nature reclaims its rights. The villages become little white dots on the horizon, suspended above heavenly beaches.
All in all, Syros is a must on your itinerary in the heart of the Cyclades. Find out how to get to Syros from Athens by ferry?
Ferries from Athens to Syros
The main ferry companies
There are several companies offering ferry services to Syros from Athens. The first departures are from Athens’ main port, Piraeus. Piraeus is Greece’s main port and the nerve center for all the country’s mainland and island shipping routes. It is also the gateway to the other Cycladic islands of Sifnos, Santorini and Milos.
If you have a little time before setting sail, don’t hesitate to take a stroll around its little port: Mikrolimano. A typical marina, littered with fish restaurants, livened up by the ballet of fishermen and chic evenings at the water’s edge. Three companies can take care of your crossing:
Blue Star Ferries and Hellenic Seaway also operate the Athens-Syros crossing from the port of Lavrio. This small port is rich in history. The town center is full of neoclassical monuments and houses. The port itself offers a few hours of pleasant contemplation. The comings and goings of sailboats, life on the café terraces, fishermen untangling their nets: enjoy this gentle way of life before you embark.
What type of boat do you travel on?
To reach Syros from Athens by ferry, different ships are chartered. Hence the time difference between the various crossings.
- The fastest ferries, owned by SeaJets, are the World Champion Jets.
- Blue Star Ferries sails via Blue Star Myconos (from Piraeus) or Artemis (from Lavrio).
- The local company Hellenic Seaways also uses Artemis vessels from Lavrio.
Plan a ferry trip to Syros from Athens with Direct Ferries
Why choose Direct Ferries?
Direct Ferries is a particularly effective ferry comparison service. It’s comprehensive (with nearly seven hundred ferry ports listed), updated daily and backed by a wealth of experience (over a million crossings a year). Two and a half million travelers have already placed their trust in their services.
This comparative platform is also highly intuitive. Right from the home page, you’re invited to fill in the essentials of your trip, and have direct access to popular sailings. The planner then analyzes all offers, on all companies, and suggests the best options.
Timetable for Syros ferry service from Athens
- Blue Star Ferries: organizes up to 3 crossings a day from Piraeus. Departures at 7.15am, 7.30am and 5.30pm. Schedules vary from day to day. Some crossings depart at 8.30am, 4pm, 5pm, 6pm or 7pm. From Lavrio, departures are on Mondays at 5pm and on Fridays at 8am.
- SeaJets: 1 daily crossing from Piraeus. Departure at 7 a.m.
- Hellenic Seaways: organizes 2 crossings a week from Lavrio to Syros. Departure is at 8am on Fridays and 5pm on Mondays.
Journey times Syros from Athens by ferry
To get to Syros from Athens by ferry, crossing times vary according to the port of departure, timetable, type of boat and company.
- SeaJets: a 2-hour boat trip. As a rule, you’ll arrive on the island at 9am.
- Blue Star Ferries: the crossing from Piraeus takes almost 3h30 . If you embark from Lavrio, allow 5h15.
- Hellenic Seaways: also a little over 5 hours . Disembark at 1.10pm on Fridays or 10.15pm on Mondays.
Ferry fares from Syros to Athens
Ferry fares from Athens to Syros vary widely, depending on options, companies and seasons.
- From Lavrio, for an adult pedestrian, expect to pay around €42 for the crossing with Blue Star Ferries. From Piraeus, the trip costs around €60.
- Under the same conditions, a SeaJets trip from Piraeus costs €112.
- Finally, Hellenic Seaways charges around €40 for a departure from Lavrio.
- Prices increase if you cross with your vehicle (at least €100 extra) and depending on its extra equipment. Ferry fares to Syros from Athens naturally increase with vehicle size and category.
How do I book a ferry to Syros from Athens?
- Go to the Direct Ferries website and fill in the details of your crossing: destinations, number of passengers and their ages, whether you are crossing as a pedestrian or with a vehicle.
- Then, at your convenience, take out additional cancellation or modification insurance. What’s more, the site lets you fine-tune your preferences directly: type of seat, access to the lounge.
- Finally, fill in the passenger details and your contact information.
- Finally, you pay and receive your booking confirmation, usually by e-mail. This should be kept in a safe place, and includes the check-in time.
Enjoy your stay in Syros!