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 with a boat into Kamares. From Piraeus the high-speed ferry takes ≈2½ h from €68.70, and the conventional ferry ≈5 h from €40.50. A daily summer catamaran also runs from Lavrio in ≈3 h 10 from €55.
Piraeus is the route almost everyone takes, with two to five sailings a day in July and August. Lavrio is the quieter alternative and sits slightly closer to Athens airport. Below: which port suits your arrival, what the crossing is actually like, and what happens when you step off at Kamares.
Sailings from Athens
| Service | Duration | Fare from | Sailings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Piraeus, high-speed | ≈2½ h | €68.70 | 2–5 a day in summer |
| Piraeus, conventional | ≈5 h | €40.50 | 2–5 a day in summer |
| Lavrio, high-speed | ≈3 h 10 | €55 | Daily, late May to mid-September |
Durations and indicative fares come from the operators' published 2026 timetables and Discover Cyclades, verified August 2026. Schedules and prices move every season, so confirm live before you book.
Piraeus or Lavrio?
Piraeus if you want choice. It has the most sailings, two to five a day in summer, and both fast and conventional boats, so there is usually a departure that fits your flight. Lavrio if you are coming straight from Athens airport: it is a smaller, calmer port and slightly closer to the airport. The catamaran runs only from late May to mid-September and calls at Kythnos and Serifos on the way, which is why it takes ≈3 h 10 rather than the ≈2½ h from Piraeus.
The Piraeus crossing
The high-speed catamaran covers it in ≈2½ h from €68.70. The conventional ferry takes ≈5 h from €40.50 and costs a good deal less. In peak season the first boat leaves around 07:00 and the fast ferry at 07:45. Book August crossings weeks ahead: the popular departures fill, and vehicle space goes first.
The Lavrio catamaran
One high-speed departure a day from late May to mid-September, operated by Magic Sea Ferries, reaching Kamares in about ≈3 h 10 from €55, via Kythnos and Serifos. Lavrio is a smaller and calmer port than Piraeus and sits slightly closer to Athens airport, so it is worth checking whenever the Piraeus timetable does not suit 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 check the electronic boards for your sailing rather than trusting the gate printed on a ticket. Give yourself time to walk it.
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. On a windy forecast the slow boat from Piraeus is the safer booking. If your crossing is cancelled by weather you are entitled to a full refund or free rebooking on the next departure. Whatever you book, never put a same-day flight home after an island crossing: sleep a night in Athens.
Arriving at Kamares
Every ferry docks at Kamares on the west coast, the island's only port. From the quay it is 14.2 km up to the villa 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 and to a car-hire desk by the quay, so the last leg is settled before you sail.
The helicopter, if you are in a hurry
Hoper flies scheduled helicopters from Athens to the island's heliport at Tholos, about 40 minutes in the air. Fares move by route and season, so check Hoper for current Athens to Sifnos prices. Ask Elena and she'll 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 ferry from Piraeus, or ≈5 h on the conventional ferry. The daily summer catamaran from Lavrio takes about ≈3 h 10.
Can you fly to Sifnos?
Not on a scheduled aeroplane: Sifnos has no airport. Hoper flies scheduled helicopters from Athens to the heliport at Tholos in about 40 minutes. The nearest airport served by planes is Milos, a 40 to 50 minute ferry hop away.
How much is the ferry from Athens to Sifnos?
From €68.70 on the high-speed boat and from €40.50 on the conventional ferry out of Piraeus, and from €55 on the Lavrio catamaran. Those are the cheapest published 2026 fares, verified August 2026.
Should I use Piraeus or Lavrio?
Piraeus for choice and frequency: two to five sailings a day in summer, fast and conventional. Lavrio for a calmer port slightly closer to Athens airport, with one catamaran a day from late May to mid-September.
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 they are covered on the main getting-here guide.
Thinking about your dates?
Tell us when you're coming and how many of you there are, and we'll be honest about whether we're the right fit for your trip.