Athens to Sifnos
Athens to Sifnos ferry
Written by Elena Philippou, who hosts Villa Olivia Clara above Platis Gialos.Updated August 2026
Sifnos has no airport, so every route from Athens ends on a boat into Kamares. From Piraeus the high-speed ferry takes ≈2½ h from €68.70, and the conventional one ≈5 h from €40.50. There is also a catamaran a day from Lavrio in summer, ≈3 h 10 from €55.
Almost everyone comes through Piraeus. Two to five sailings a day in July and August, fast boats and slow ones, so there is usually something that fits the flight you land on. Most of our guests take the morning fast boat. Lavrio is the quieter port, a little closer to Athens airport, with one catamaran a day in summer.
Sailings from Athens
| Service | Duration | Fare from | Sailings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Piraeus, high-speed | ≈2½ h | €68.70 | 2–5 a day in summer, both types together |
| Piraeus, conventional | ≈5 h | €40.50 | 2–5 a day in summer, both types together |
| Lavrio, high-speed | ≈3 h 10 | €55 | Daily, late May to mid-September |
Durations and from-fares come from the operators' published 2026 timetables and Discover Cyclades, verified August 2026. Schedules and prices move every season, so check the live times before you book.
Piraeus or Lavrio?
Piraeus, for almost everyone. It has the most sailings, two to five a day in summer, and both fast and conventional boats, so something usually fits. Lavrio is smaller and calmer, and a little closer to Athens airport. Its catamaran runs only from late May to mid-September and calls at Kythnos and Serifos on the way, so it takes ≈3 h 10 against the ≈2½ h from Piraeus.
The Piraeus crossing
The high-speed catamaran does it in ≈2½ h from €68.70. The conventional ferry takes ≈5 h from €40.50 and costs a good deal less, and on a windy day it is usually the one still sailing. In peak season the first boat leaves around 07:00 and the fast ferry at 07:45. Book your August crossing weeks ahead. The popular departures fill, and vehicle space goes before deck space.
The Lavrio catamaran
One high-speed departure a day from late May to mid-September, run by Magic Sea Ferries, into Kamares in about ≈3 h 10 from €55, via Kythnos and Serifos. The port is smaller and calmer than Piraeus, and a little closer to Athens airport. Look at it when the Piraeus timetable does not fit your flight.
Finding your boat at Piraeus
Piraeus is a big terminal and the Western Cyclades boats do not leave from the obvious end of it. Look for the berths around Gates E9 to E10, and trust the electronic boards over the gate printed on your ticket. Walk down there with time in hand.
What the meltemi does to this crossing
The meltemi, the north wind, peaks in July and August, and it takes the fast catamarans off first. The conventional ferries usually keep sailing. So on a windy forecast, book the slow boat. If a crossing is cancelled by weather you are entitled to a full refund or free rebooking on the next departure. And never put a same-day flight home after an island crossing. Sleep a night in Athens on the way back.
Arriving at Kamares
Every ferry from Athens comes into Kamares, on the west coast, the only port on the island. From the quay it is 14.2 km up to the house above Platis Gialos, a 20 to 30 minute drive. Tell Elena which boat you are on and she will point you to a trusted driver, or to a car-hire desk by the quay. Book it yourself.
The helicopter, if you are in a hurry
Hoper flies scheduled helicopters from Athens to the heliport at Tholos, 35 to 40 minutes in the air. Fares move by route and season, so check with Hoper for the current Athens to Sifnos price. Ask Elena and she will point you the right way.
Athens to Sifnos, quick answers
How long is the ferry from Athens to Sifnos?
≈2½ h on the high-speed boat from Piraeus, ≈5 h on the conventional one. The summer catamaran from Lavrio takes ≈3 h 10, and it calls at Kythnos and Serifos on the way.
Can you fly to Sifnos?
No. Sifnos has no airport and there is no plan for one. Hoper flies scheduled helicopters from Athens into the heliport at Tholos, 35 to 40 minutes in the air. The nearest airport is on Milos, and the ferry across from there is 40 to 50 minutes.
How much is the ferry from Athens to Sifnos?
From €68.70 on the high-speed boat out of Piraeus, €40.50 on the conventional one, €55 on the Lavrio catamaran. Those are the cheapest published 2026 fares, verified August 2026. They are from-prices, so a mid-August departure costs more.
Should I use Piraeus or Lavrio?
Piraeus, for the choice. Two to five sailings a day in summer, on fast boats and slow ones. Lavrio has one catamaran a day from late May to mid-September, a calmer port and a shorter drive from Athens airport.
How far ahead should I book?
Weeks ahead for August. The popular departures fill, and vehicle space goes before deck space, so book earlier still if you are bringing a car.
What happens if the ferry is cancelled because of wind?
You are entitled to a full refund or free rebooking on the next departure. The meltemi takes the fast catamarans off first while the conventional ferries usually keep sailing, so on a windy forecast the slow boat is the safer booking.
Coming from somewhere else? Santorini, Mykonos, Serifos and Kimolos all connect to Sifnos, and we cover them on the main getting-here guide.
Thinking about your dates?
Tell us your dates and how many of you are coming. Elena answers the emails herself, and she will say so if the house does not suit your trip.