How to Get to Sifnos
Written by Elena Philippou,Updated June 2026
Sifnos has no airport. The only way in is by ferry — here is how that works in practice, depending on where you're coming from.
Ferry arrives at Kamares, the port on the west coast. From there, Platis Gialos (where the villa is) is about 15–20 minutes by car. Most people fly into Athens, take the metro or a taxi to Piraeus port, and board the ferry to Sifnos.
The short version
- 1
Fly into Athens (ATH).
- 2
Get from the airport to Piraeus port: metro line 3 runs direct to Piraeus (about 55–60 minutes, trains roughly every half hour), the X96 express bus, or a taxi (~40–50 min, less predictable in traffic).
- 3
Ferry from Piraeus (around Gates E9 to E10, but check the boards) to Kamares, Sifnos: about 2.5 hours by high-speed, or about 5 to 6 hours by conventional ferry. Ferry schedules are published online and updated each season, so check close to your travel dates.
Ferry routes to Sifnos
All durations are approximate and vary by vessel and operator. Frequencies are seasonal — far more sailings in summer than in winter. Always check live schedules.
Who actually sails these routes changes faster than guidebooks keep up. For the 2026 season it's SeaJets (high-speed), Fast Ferries, Aegean Sea Lines, Magic Sea Ferries and the small Artemis local line. If a guide mentions Zante Ferries or Aegean Speed Lines, it's out of date: both are gone.
Piraeus (Athens) → Sifnos
The main route and by far the most frequent. High-speed ferries take around 2.5 hours; conventional (slower, cheaper) ferries take roughly 5 to 6 hours. Multiple daily departures in July and August; fewer in shoulder season.
Fast catamaran ≈ 2½ h, from ~€69 · conventional ≈ 5 h, from ~€41 · 2–5 sailings a day in summer · first boat ~07:00, fast ferry 07:45 in peak season
Lavrio → Sifnos (new for 2026)
The second mainland gateway, and one most guides haven't caught up with: a high-speed catamaran leaves daily from late May to mid-September and reaches Kamares in about three hours, via Kythnos and Serifos. Lavrio is a smaller, calmer port than Piraeus, and slightly closer to Athens airport.
About 3 h 10 · around €55 · daily, late May to mid-September (Magic Sea Ferries)
Milos → Sifnos
About 40 minutes on the fast ferry, up to two hours on the slower boats. Milos has a small domestic airport (MLO) with several flights a day from Athens, so flying to Milos and taking the short crossing is a practical alternative to the long Piraeus route.
Fast ≈ 40–50 min, from ~€35 · conventional from ~€6.50 · up to 6–7 crossings a day in peak summer
Paros → Sifnos
Around 1.5–2 hours. Paros has its own airport and ferry connections from multiple islands — useful if you're island-hopping. Frequency is seasonal.
55 min on the summer high-speed, from ~€70 · about 2–3 h on the cheap year-round local line, from ~€4.50
Serifos / Kimolos → Sifnos
Short hops of under an hour. Both islands are on the same ferry line as Sifnos from Piraeus, so they're natural stops if you're visiting more than one island.
Serifos: 20–40 min, from ~€6 · Kimolos: about 40 min–1½ h, from ~€6 · several boats a day in summer
Santorini / Mykonos → Sifnos
Roughly 2.5–4 hours, seasonal and less frequent — usually requiring a connection or a specific island-hopping ferry. Check current ferry timetables online for the latest schedule.
Santorini: fast ≈ 2¾–3 h, conventional ≈ 5¼ h from ~€12.50 · Mykonos: about 2 h on the summer high-speed · both seasonal
Tickets: where and when to buy
Everything is an e-ticket now. For ferry tickets we send our guests to Discover Cyclades: schedules and all the operators in one place. Each season's timetables firm up in spring; book August crossings, and anything with a car, weeks ahead; the rest of the year a few days is usually fine.
If you're already on the island and need to change a paper ticket, the agencies at Kamares port can help: Aegean Thesaurus (+30 22840 32152) and Katsoulakis Travel (+30 22840 31004).
Book ferry tickets on Discover CycladesComing from the UK or further abroad
There are no direct flights to Sifnos from the UK or any international airport. Fly to Athens (ATH); most major UK airports have direct flights. Then take the ferry as above. In summer, there are also seasonal direct flights from some UK/European airports to Milos (MLO), which cuts the ferry leg to 30–45 minutes. Allow a good buffer on your return: check the ferry time, add travel to the Athens airport, and if the connection is tight, seriously consider an overnight in Athens. Missing a flight because of a delayed ferry is more common than people expect in August.
Getting around once you're here
For most of the island, a car is the practical choice — roads between villages are winding and there are no taxis waiting at the port. Buses run from Apollonia (the capital) to the main villages and beaches. If you're staying in Apollonia or Platis Gialos, you can manage beach days without a car. See our guide to where to stay for the full picture.
where to stay in SifnosHonest tips
Book August ferries weeks ahead: popular routes fill up, especially for vehicles.
The meltemi (north wind) peaks in July–August and takes the fast catamarans off first; the conventional ferries usually keep sailing. On a windy forecast, prefer the slow boat; if your crossing is cancelled by weather you're entitled to a full refund or free rebooking on the next departure. Either way, never book a same-day flight home after an island hop. Sleep a night in Athens.
Kamares port is on the west coast, about 15–20 minutes by car to Platis Gialos.
The Piraeus ferry terminal is large: look for the Western Cyclades berths around Gates E9 to E10, and check the electronic boards for your boat. Give yourself time to find it.
Ferry schedules are published online and updated each season, so check live timetables close to your travel dates.
In a hurry, or wind-wary? Hoper flies scheduled helicopters from Athens to Sifnos' heliport at Tholos: about 40 minutes in the air, from around €160 one way. Ask Elena and she'll point you the right way.
Getting to the villa from the port
Kamares to Platis Gialos is about 15–20 minutes by car. Car rentals and taxis are available at the port.
Getting to Sifnos — quick answers
How do you get to Sifnos?
By ferry. Sifnos has no airport. The main route is from Piraeus (Athens' port) to Kamares: about 2.5 hours by high-speed ferry or around 5 hours by conventional ferry. You can also arrive from Lavrio (about 3 h, summer), Milos (about 40 minutes by fast ferry), Paros, or other Cyclades islands.
Does Sifnos have an airport?
No. Sifnos has no airport. The nearest domestic airports are Milos (MLO, about 30–45 minutes by ferry from Sifnos) and Athens (ATH, which connects to Sifnos via a 2.5–5 hour ferry from Piraeus). There are no scheduled flights to Sifnos itself; the only air option is a private helicopter charter.
How long is the ferry from Athens (Piraeus) to Sifnos?
About 2.5 hours by high-speed ferry, or around 5 to 6 hours by conventional (slower) ferry. The journey is from Piraeus port (around Gates E9 to E10, check the boards) to Kamares port in Sifnos. Ferry schedules are published online and updated each season, so check close to your travel dates.
Can you fly to Sifnos?
No direct flights land on Sifnos — there is no airport. The closest option is flying to Milos (MLO), which has a small domestic airport served from Athens, then taking the 30–45 minute ferry to Sifnos. Otherwise, fly to Athens (ATH) and take the Piraeus ferry.
How do you get from Milos, Paros or Santorini to Sifnos?
From Milos: 30–45 min ferry, most days in season. From Paros: roughly 1.5–2 hours, seasonal. From Santorini or Mykonos: typically 2.5–4 hours with possible connections, seasonal and less frequent. Check current ferry timetables online — routes vary significantly outside July–August.
What is the best way to get to Sifnos from the UK?
Fly to Athens (most major UK airports have direct flights) then ferry from Piraeus to Sifnos — the standard route. In summer, some UK airports have seasonal direct flights to Milos, which would cut the onward journey to a 30–45 minute ferry. Whichever route you choose, leave a buffer before flying home in case of ferry delays.
Do you need a car in Sifnos?
For most of the island, yes. Roads between villages are not walkable, there is no taxi rank at the port, and bus frequency is limited outside peak season. Exceptions are Apollonia (the island's bus hub) and staying beach-side in Platis Gialos or Kamares. Book a car in advance for July–August visits.
Ready to plan your trip?
Tell us your travel dates and we'll be happy to advise on ferries, transfers, and getting to the villa. Or check availability directly.