Ios To Rafina Ferry Crossing In 2026
🚢 Ios → Rafina — this week
14 sailings over the next 7 days · usually 2/day
Tomorrow (Fri 7 Aug): 2 ferries — first at 15:15
Ios to Rafina Ferry
This is one of the longer domestic crossings in the Cyclades, running the length of the Aegean from Ios in the southern group up to Rafina on the Attic coast. It's a route built for people connecting the party-and-beach island of Ios with Athens without routing through Piraeus, and for anyone based near Rafina or Athens airport who wants a straight shot south into the islands rather than the busier Piraeus terminals.
Ios to Rafina -- At a Glance
- Season: Timetables are currently published through 25 October 2026.
- Frequency: Typically 1 ferry per day during the season.
- Sailing days: Daily service.
- Journey time: 5 hours 5 minutes.
- Operators: Golden Star Ferries.
- Book tickets: Check prices at Ferryscanner
At just over five hours, this is not a hop -- it's a proper sea journey, and worth planning your day around rather than squeezing in either side of other commitments. Golden Star Ferries runs the boat, and since no other company competes on this pairing, there's a single timetable to check rather than several to compare. Ios's port sits below the hillside town, a short bus or taxi ride from Chora and the beaches most visitors come for, while Rafina's harbour is a compact, easy-to-navigate affair on Attica's east coast, closer to the airport than central Athens and a far calmer place to arrive or depart than Piraeus at the height of summer.
Because there's normally just the one sailing a day rather than a run of options to choose between, it pays to build your travel day around the departure time rather than assume you can shift it. Check the schedule box above for the current confirmed sailing day and time each season, since operators file their timetables in stages and the details firm up as summer approaches.
Monthly Schedule Overview
Here is a month-by-month overview of ferry service from Ios to Rafina:
| Month | Available | Avg. Ferries/Day |
|---|---|---|
| January | Not yet published | – |
| February | Not yet published | – |
| March | Not yet published | – |
| April | Not yet published | – |
| May | Not yet published | – |
| June | Not yet published | – |
| July | Yes | 1.0 |
| August | Yes | 1.7 (1–2) |
| September | Yes | 1.0 |
| October | Yes | 1.0 |
| November | Not yet published | – |
| December | Not yet published | – |
Book ferry port and airport transfers here: Welcome Pickups →
Ios to Rafina — next 14 days
Actual sailing dates and departure times for the next two weeks (last updated 2026-08-06):
| Date | Sailings | Departure times |
|---|---|---|
| Thu 6 Aug | 2 | 15:15, 15:25 |
| Fri 7 Aug | 2 | 15:15, 15:25 |
| Sat 8 Aug | 2 | 15:15, 15:25 |
| Sun 9 Aug | 2 | 15:15, 15:25 |
| Mon 10 Aug | 2 | 15:15, 15:25 |
| Tue 11 Aug | 2 | 15:15, 15:25 |
| Wed 12 Aug | 2 | 15:15, 15:25 |
| Thu 13 Aug | 2 | 15:15, 15:25 |
| Fri 14 Aug | 2 | 15:15, 15:25 |
| Sat 15 Aug | 2 | 15:15, 15:25 |
| Sun 16 Aug | 2 | 15:15, 15:25 |
| Mon 17 Aug | 2 | 15:15, 15:25 |
| Tue 18 Aug | 2 | 15:15, 15:25 |
| Wed 19 Aug | 2 | 15:15, 15:25 |
Check availability & book on Ferryscanner →
Ferry Companies
The Ios–Rafina route is served by 1 company:
- Golden Star Ferries – approximately 5 hours 5 minutes
Tips for the Ios–Rafina Ferry
- The port at Ormos sits about 2km below Chora – roughly a five-minute drive, a 20-minute walk, or a short bus ride from the stop just along the road from the ferry quay.
- Arrive at Ormos port at least an hour before departure in summer – traffic builds up around the port and you'll want time to secure a good deck or lounge seat before boarding.
- Ormos port has its own supermarkets, cafes, ATMs and car or motorbike hire outlets, so you can wait comfortably, withdraw cash or pick up rental transport without leaving the harbour area.
- Some operators offer loyalty discounts for repeat bookings – if you travel regularly in Greece, it is worth registering an account with the major companies.
- Ferries from Rafina, Athens's eastern port, connect to the Cyclades via a route that is closer to Athens International Airport than Piraeus. The city of Athens itself is easily reached, with the Acropolis, the Plaka district, and the National Archaeological Museum among the essential sights before or after your journey.
Useful Resources for Your Greek Island Trip
- Find accommodation in Greece – hotels, apartments and villas on Booking.com
- Book tours and activities in Greece via Viator
- Find guided experiences and day trips via GetYourGuide
- Compare car hire prices in Greece via DiscoverCars
Exploring Athens?
If you have time before or after your ferry, there is plenty to see near the capital. Browse our complete guide to the best day trips from Athens – from ancient ruins and mountain villages to coastal escapes and island hops.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often do ferries run from Ios to Rafina?
Typically 1 ferry per day during the season. Timetables are currently published through 25 October 2026.
Are there ferries from Ios to Rafina today?
Yes – 2 sailings today. See the 14-day timetable above for departure times.
How many ferries run from Ios to Rafina this week?
Around 14 sailings over the next 7 days (typically 2 per day).
What time is the first ferry from Ios to Rafina?
The first departure is usually 15:15.
How long is the ferry from Ios to Rafina?
The fastest crossing takes approximately 5 hours 5 minutes. Journey times depend on the ferry type and company.
Which ferry companies operate the Ios–Rafina route?
The route is served by Golden Star Ferries.
Can you rent a car at Rafina port?
Yes, several international agencies including Sixt, Avis and Budget have desks at the port, roughly 25km from Athens airport by road. It's a useful pickup point if you're collecting a car before driving onward, rather than sailing, or heading into Athens after a ferry from the islands. Compare prices at Discover Cars.
Can you rent a car in Ios?
Yes. The port sits about 2km from Chora, with rental desks at both. A car isn't essential for the Chora to Mylopotas stretch, which is walkable and bus-served, but it's worth having to reach quieter spots like Manganari beach, roughly 19km to the south. Check current rates at Discover Cars.