Where the ferries go
Ferry destinations
Island-hopping guides to the most rewarding places you can reach by ferry — from the Cyclades and Dodecanese to the Dalmatian coast. What to see, where to stay and exactly how to get there on the water.
- Guides
- 39
- Regions
- 18
- Countries
- 7
Attica & Saronic
1 guide
Bay of Naples / Campania
2 guides
Italy(c) Berthold Werner / CC BY-SA 3.0Capri
Capri has no airport and no bridge, so every visitor arrives by boat at Marina Grande, the island's only passenger port. The two main gateways are Naples (about 45-50 minutes by hydrofoil from Molo Beverello) and Sorrento (the closest mainland port, roughly 20-30 minutes). Fast hydrofoils, catamarans and slower car ferries run year-round, with extra seasonal links from Ischia and the Amalfi Coast between April and October. This guide covers ports, operators, timing and the island's strict car rules.
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Italy(c) maury3001 / CC BY 3.0Ischia
This green, volcanic island in the Bay of Naples trades Capri's glamour for thermal spa gardens and hot springs — and like its famous neighbour, it's reachable only by sea, with no airport or bridge to the mainland. Fast passenger hydrofoils cross from Naples' Molo Beverello in roughly 50 minutes to just over an hour; slower car ferries sail from Naples' Calata Porta di Massa or from Pozzuoli, which is closer, cheaper and the smart choice if you are bringing a vehicle.
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British Columbia
1 guide
British Columbia / Gulf Islands
1 guide
Central Visayas
2 guides
Philippines(c) Wolfgang Hägele / CC BY-SA 4.0Bohol
Most travellers reach Bohol by fast ferry from Cebu, and the island has two sea gateways. The direct choice is Tagbilaran City port (roughly 1.5-2 hours by fast craft, and the closest landing to Panglao and Alona Beach). The alternative is Tubigon port in the northwest: the crossing is shorter, but Tubigon sits about an hour by road from Tagbilaran. Bohol itself is the home of the Chocolate Hills, the tiny tarsier, and the diving reefs off Panglao.
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Philippines(c) Lawrence Ruiz / CC BY-SA 4.0Siquijor
There is no bridge and no jet airport on Siquijor, so every visitor arrives by sea. The overwhelming majority route through Dumaguete on Negros, a short fast-ferry hop of roughly 40 to 60 minutes with several daily sailings from operators like OceanJet, Aleson Shipping and Montenegro Lines. Longer fastcraft runs also connect from Cebu (about 4+ hours) and Tagbilaran on Bohol. The reward is the Philippines' mystic island: turquoise waterfalls, cliff-jump beaches, folk-healing lore and a stillness the busier islands lost long ago.
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Crete
3 guides
Greece(c) Ввласенко / CC BY-SA 3.0Chania
You reach Chania by ferry through Souda, the working port about 7 km east of the Old Town in far-western Crete. The signature link is the overnight boat from Piraeus (Athens): it sails in the evening and lands you at Souda soon after dawn, roughly a 9-hour crossing. From the quay a city bus or taxi drops you at the Venetian harbour in 15-20 minutes. Chania itself is Crete's most photogenic town, a lighthouse-topped harbour and Venetian-Ottoman lanes that make the best base for the wild west of the island.
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Greece(c) Moonik / CC BY-SA 3.0Heraklion
Heraklion, Crete receives ferries from 10 ports , including Piraeus and multiple Cycladic islands. A total of 18 routes connect to the port. Four ferry operators service Heraklion: Blue Star Ferries, Hellenic Seaways, Minoan Lines, and SeaJets. The port facilitates connections to Anafi, Ios, Milos, Mykonos, Naxos, Paros, Santorini, Sitia, and Syros. Heraklion Ferry Timetables The crossing time to Heraklion varies based on the departure port and operator. The shortest journey is 2 hours. The longest direct connection takes 9 hours and 30 minutes. Most routes connect Heraklion with other islands in the Aegean Sea, while the Piraeus connection links Crete to the Greek mainland. Sitia provides an intra-island ferry link on Crete itself.
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Greece(c) Petro Stelte / CC BY-SA 4.0Sitia
Blue Star Ferries provides connections to Sitia, Crete , from the ports of Piraeus, Heraklion, and Kasos . This operator is the sole provider of passenger ferry services to the port. Four distinct ferry routes terminate or call at Sitia. The port facilitates travel between Crete's eastern coast and other Greek destinations. Sitia Ferry Timetables and Durations Voyage durations to and from Sitia vary significantly based on the point of origin. The shortest crossing connects Sitia with Kasos, a journey of 2 hours. The connection to Heraklion, also on Crete, takes a similar amount of time. The longest route is the crossing from Piraeus, the main port of Athens, which has a duration of 11 hours and 50 minutes. All services are operated by Blue Star Ferries.
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Cyclades
7 guides
Greece(c) Oliwan / CC BY-SA 3.0Amorgos
Amorgos is an island in the Cyclades group with ferry connections to Donousa and Koufonisi . Two primary ferry routes serve Amorgos. Amorgos Ferry Operators Two companies, Anek Lines and Blue Star Ferries, provide services to the island. The typical crossing duration to nearby islands is approximately 45 minutes.
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Greece(c) Zde / CC BY-SA 4.0Milos
Nearly every ferry to Milos ties up at one place: Adamas (Adamantas), the island's harbour on its huge natural bay. From Athens you sail from Piraeus — a SeaJets high-speed catamaran does it in roughly 2h35m, while slower conventional ferries take about 5–7 hours but shrug off the wind. Milos also links into the Western Cyclades chain (Sifnos, Serifos, Paros, Naxos), Santorini, and Crete. It is a volcanic island of coloured cliffs, the moonscape of Sarakiniko, and the boat-only cove of Kleftiko.
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Greece(c) Bernard Gagnon / CC BY-SA 3.0Mykonos
Ferries connect Mykonos to ten other ports, including Piraeus , Rafina , and Heraklion . The island is part of the Cyclades group and also has direct ferry links with Andros, Chios, Naxos, Samos, Santorini, Syros, and Tinos. A total of 16 ferry routes serve Mykonos. Crossing times range from 25 minutes to 4 hours and 20 minutes. Mykonos Ferry Operators Six ferry operators provide services to and from the port of Mykonos. The companies are Blue Star Ferries, Fast Ferries, Golden Star Ferries, Hellenic Seaways, Minoan Lines, and SeaJets. Each operator runs specific routes connecting Mykonos to other destinations in the Cyclades and mainland Greece.
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Greece(c) Olaf Tausch / CC BY 3.0Naxos
Ferry crossings to Naxos range from 25 minutes to 6 hours 5 minutes . The port facilitates 12 routes connecting to other destinations. Naxos is linked by ferry to the mainland Greek ports of Piraeus and Rafina. It also has direct sea connections with Heraklion on Crete. Naxos Ferry Operators and Connections Six ferry operators provide services to Naxos: Anek Lines, Blue Star Ferries, Fast Ferries, Golden Star Ferries, SeaJets, and Small Cyclades Lines. Within the Cyclades archipelago, direct routes connect Naxos with Donousa, Ios, Irakleia, Mykonos, Paros, Santorini, and Tinos. The fastest crossing is the 25-minute route, while the longest direct service takes 6 hours and 5 minutes. The variety of operators and routes means a range of vessel types, from high-speed catamarans to conventional ferries, serve the island. The specific duration of any journey depends on the departure port, the operator, and the type of vessel used for the crossing.
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Greece(c) Holger Pfiffi / Public domainParos
Blue Star Ferries , Fast Ferries , Golden Star Ferries , Minoan Lines , and SeaJets all provide ferry services to Paros in the Cyclades. The island has direct connections with four key ports: Heraklion, Naxos, Piraeus, and Santorini. A total of five routes serve the port of Paros. Crossing times for these routes vary significantly based on operator and vessel type. The shortest journey is 25 minutes, while the longest direct connection takes 3 hours and 30 minutes. Paros Ferry Operators and Durations The journey between Naxos and Paros is the fastest, with some crossings completed in just 25 minutes. The route to Santorini has a travel time of approximately 2 hours and 5 minutes. Connections with Heraklion on Crete take around 3 hours and 30 minutes. The crossing from the mainland port of Piraeus has a similar duration, also at approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes. Five distinct ferry companies schedule passenger and vehicle services to the island.
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Greece(c) Norbert Nagel / CC BY-SA 3.0Santorini
Blue Star Ferries , Fast Ferries , and SeaJets are among the six operators connecting the Greek island of Santorini. A total of 13 ferry routes reach the port. Connections include services to and from other Cyclades islands such as Anafi, Ios, Milos, Mykonos, Naxos, and Paros. The network also extends to Heraklion on Crete, Rhodes in the Dodecanese, and the mainland port of Piraeus. Santorini Ferry Operators and Timetables Golden Star Ferries, Maistros, and Minoan Lines complete the list of companies with scheduled sailings to Santorini. Crossing durations vary significantly depending on the route and vessel type. The shortest journey available takes 20 minutes, while the longest crossing extends to 10 hours and 45 minutes. Services link Santorini with the port of Syros, the administrative center of the Cyclades.
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Greece(c) Hans Peter Schaefer / CC BY-SA 3.0Syros
Eight ferry routes connect the island of Syros with other destinations in Greece. Four operators currently serve the island: Blue Star Ferries, Hellenic Seaways, NEL Lines, and SeaJets. Syros maintains ferry links with Heraklion, Kythnos, Mykonos, Patmos-Leros, Piraeus, and Santorini. Syros Ferry Durations and Operators Crossing durations to Syros vary based on the departure port and the vessel used. The shortest journey is the 25-minute sailing from Mykonos. The longest route, from Heraklion, takes 5 hours and 15 minutes. SeaJets operates the fast 25-minute connection from Mykonos. Blue Star Ferries and Hellenic Seaways also provide services to the island from multiple ports including Piraeus. The primary port for mainland connections is Piraeus. Ferry services from Piraeus to Syros are managed by both Blue Star Ferries and Hellenic Seaways. The Patmos-Leros route provides a connection to the Dodecanese islands. All services arrive at the port in Ermoupoli, the administrative center of Syros.
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Dalmatia
3 guides
Croatia(c) Marin0110 / CC BY-SA 4.0Brač (Bol & Supetar)
Brač has two ferry front doors. The workhorse is the Split–Supetar car ferry (Jadrolinija line 631), a roughly 50-minute crossing that runs all year, takes vehicles, and lands you on the island's north coast. In summer a passenger-only catamaran sails straight to Bol on the south coast in about an hour, dropping you a short walk from Zlatni Rat, the famous shape-shifting beach. Which you pick depends on whether you want a car, and when you travel.
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Croatia(c) Eleanor Abernathy / CC BY-SA 3.0Split
Split receives ferry services from 11 Croatian destinations, including Dubrovnik , Hvar , and Rijeka . Three ferry operators provide connections: Jadrolinija, Krilo (Kapetan Luka), and TP Line. The port links the mainland with the islands of Brač, Hvar, Korčula, Šolta, and Vis. Split Ferry Operators and Durations Jadrolinija, Krilo, and TP Line all operate routes into Split. Journey times vary depending on the origin port. The shortest crossings, such as from Supetar or Rogač, take approximately 50 minutes. The longest direct route, from Dubrovnik, has a duration of 4 hours and 30 minutes. Other ports with direct ferry connections to Split include Bol, Korčula Town, Milna, Starigrad, and Vela Luka. These routes establish Split as a key hub in the Dalmatian ferry network, connecting it to multiple points along the coast and among the islands.
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Croatia(c) Adam Jones Adam63 / CC BY-SA 3.0Zadar
Five ferry routes connect Zadar with other destinations in Croatia. Four operators provide services to the port: G&V Line Iadera, Jadrolinija, Miatours, and TP Line. The ferry connections link Zadar with Iž, Premuda, Sali, Sestrunj, and Silba. Zadar Ferry Durations Crossing times to and from Zadar vary by route. The shortest crossing takes 43 minutes. The longest sailing duration is 1 hour and 45 minutes. Specific journey times depend on the operator and the final destination.
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Dodecanese
5 guides
Greece(c) Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0Kalymnos
Kalymnos is a rugged, authentic island in the Greek Dodecanese, globally renowned for its spectacular rock climbing and rich sponge-diving heritage. Arriving by ferry, often via the neighboring island of Kos, offers a scenic and traditional approach to this unspoiled Aegean destination.
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Greece(c) JD554 / CC BY-SA 3.0Kos
The island of Kos is part of the Dodecanese island group in Greece. Ferry access to Kos includes 12 routes connecting to other Greek islands and two ports in Turkey. The shortest international crossing is 30 minutes, while the longest domestic route takes 10 hours and 45 minutes. Kos Ferry Operators and Connections Six ferry operators provide services to Kos. Blue Star Ferries and Dodekanisos Seaways manage domestic routes. Connections within the Dodecanese include Kalymnos, Nisyros, Patmos, Leros, and Rhodes. Blue Star Ferries also links Kos to Piraeus, the port for Athens. Further routes connect to Samos in the North Aegean. Four operators run international services between Kos and Turkey. Exas and Kos - Bodrum Express Lines sail to Bodrum. Bodrum Ferryboat and Dentur Avrasya also connect to Bodrum, with Dentur Avrasya additionally serving the port of Turgutreis.
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Greece(c) airphoto.gr / CC BY-SA 4.0Patmos- Leros
Patmos-Leros receives ferry connections from Kos and Syros. Two operators, Blue Star Ferries and Dodekanisos Seaways, provide services on these routes. The crossing durations range from 1 hour 40 minutes to 3 hours 55 minutes. Patmos-Leros Ferry Operators Blue Star Ferries and Dodekanisos Seaways both operate services to Patmos-Leros. The shortest journey time of 1 hour 40 minutes is available on one of the routes. The longest sailing duration to the islands is 3 hours 55 minutes.
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Greece(c) Wikimedia Commons / Public domainRhodes
Rhodes is the largest of Greece's Dodecanese islands, renowned for its beautifully preserved medieval architecture, ancient archaeological ruins, and spectacular sun-drenched beaches. Visiting by ferry offers a scenic approach to its grand historic harbor and provides a perfect, well-connected hub for exploring the wider Aegean Sea, including direct ferry connections to enchanting neighboring islands like Chalki and Kastelorizo.
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Greece(c) freddie boy / CC BY-SA 2.0Tilos
Crossings to Tilos range from 40 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes. Four ferry routes connect to the island. Ferry operators serving Tilos are Blue Star Ferries, Dodekanisos Seaways, and Tilos Travel. The island maintains direct ferry connections with Bodrum, Nisyros, and Rhodes. Tilos Ferry Routes Blue Star Ferries operates a route from Rhodes to Tilos. Dodekanisos Seaways provides a connection between Rhodes and Tilos. Tilos Travel also operates a route connecting Rhodes with Tilos. Connections are available from Nisyros to Tilos. A ferry service connects Tilos with Bodrum in Turkey. Blue Star Ferries is one of the operators on this route. The shortest crossing time to Tilos is 40 minutes. The longest scheduled journey takes 2 hours and 30 minutes.
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Epirus (mainland gateway)
1 guide
Ionian Islands
1 guide
Kvarner
1 guide
Møre og Romsdal
1 guide
Nordland
2 guides
Norway(c) Jörg Hempel / CC BY-SA 2.0 deLofoten Islands
The Lofoten Islands rise straight out of the Norwegian Sea in a wall of granite peaks, red fishermen's cabins and white-sand beaches, roughly 200 km inside the Arctic Circle. The car ferry from Bodø to Moskenes is the classic gateway, landing you a few minutes' drive from the postcard villages of Reine and Å at the archipelago's southern tip.
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Norway(c) Buiobuione / CC BY-SA 4.0Vesterålen
Vesterålen is the archipelago just north of Lofoten where the drama softens into wide beaches, whale-rich seas and fishing villages that tourism has barely polished. Andenes, at its northern tip, is Norway's whale-watching capital and the terminus of the summer car ferry across to Gryllefjord on Senja.
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North Aegean
3 guides
Greece(c) AlekH / CC BY 3.0Chios
The ferry journey to Chios can take as little as 45 minutes or as long as 7 hours and 25 minutes , depending on the route. Seven distinct ferry routes connect to the island. Operators serving Chios include Anek Lines, Blue Star Ferries, Erturk Lines, and Hellenic Seaways. Chios Ferry Routes From mainland Greece, ferries depart from the port of Piraeus. Connections within the North Aegean islands include sailings to and from Lesvos and Mytilini. The port also links to Samos in the Dodecanese and Mykonos in the Cyclades island group. International services are available to Cesme in Turkey. This route is the shortest crossing to Chios. The various routes provide multiple options for travelers to access the island by sea from different regions.
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Greece(c) Koutrolm / Public domainLesvos
Lesvos is a captivating North Aegean island celebrated for its lush landscapes, petrified forest, and authentic Greek culture. Arriving by ferry offers a scenic, relaxed introduction to the island's grand scale and connects you seamlessly to neighboring destinations like Chios.
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Greece(c) John Hayman / Public domainSamos
Crossings to Samos range from 1 hour 15 minutes to 8 hours 30 minutes. Twelve ferry routes connect to the North Aegean island. Operators serving Samos are Blue Star Ferries, Dodekanisos Seaways, Meander Travel, SeaJets, Tilos Travel, and Turyol. Samos Ferry Connections Domestic Greek ferry routes link Samos with Chios, Kalymnos, Kos, and Mykonos. The port of Piraeus provides a connection to mainland Greece. International services operate between Samos and Turkey. The Turkish ports with direct ferry links are Kusadasi and Seferihisar.
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Saronic Gulf
2 guides
Greece(c) Jebulon / CC0Aegina
Aegina is in the Saronic Gulf, Greece. Two ferry routes connect the island to the port of Piraeus and the nearby island of Agistri . Crossing durations from these ports range from 10 to 40 minutes. Aegina Ferry Operators Four ferry companies operate services to Aegina. The operators are Aegean Flying Dolphins, Hellenic Seaways, Olympian Ferries, and Saronic Ferries.
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Greece(c) Daniel Lobo / CC BY 2.0Spetses
Spetses in the Saronic Gulf receives ferry connections from Ermioni and Porto Heli . Two ferry operators, Hellenic Seaways and Magic Sea Ferries, provide services on these routes. The crossing durations range from 10 minutes to 20 minutes. The shortest route to Spetses takes 10 minutes. The longest sailing is 20 minutes. Both Hellenic Seaways and Magic Sea Ferries facilitate travel to the island from the two mainland ports.
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Troms
2 guides
Norway(c) Ximonic (Simo Räsänen) / CC BY-SA 3.0Senja
Senja, Norway's second-largest island, packs jagged coastal peaks, fishing hamlets and empty beaches into a landscape often described as Lofoten without the crowds. Two summer car ferries – Andenes to Gryllefjord from Vesterålen and Botnhamn to Brensholmen towards Tromsø – slot the island neatly into a northern Norway road trip.
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Norway(c) JoachimKohlerBremen / CC BY-SA 4.0Tromsø
Tromsø is the urban heart of Arctic Norway: a lively university city of wooden houses, polar history and world-class aurora viewing, spread across an island 350 km north of the Arctic Circle. Express passenger boats from the central Prostneset quay knit the city to Finnsnes, Kvaløya's villages and the wider Troms coast.
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Washington / Puget Sound
1 guide
Why travel by ferry?
Some of the world's most beautiful places can only be reached by sea — and arriving by ferry is half the experience. Watching Santorini's caldera rise from the Aegean, threading the Dalmatian islands, or sailing into a Norwegian fjord turns the journey itself into a highlight rather than a transfer to endure.
These guides cover the destinations worth crossing the water for — what to see, where to stay, what to eat and, crucially, exactly how to get there by ferry, with links to the real crossings and their timetables. Whether you're planning a single island escape or a two-week hop through an archipelago, start here and build outward.
Ready to string several together? Plan a multi-stop trip or browse ferries by country.
Ferry destination FAQ
What are the best ferry destinations for island-hopping?
The Greek Cyclades (Santorini, Naxos, Paros, Mykonos) and Dodecanese (Kos, Rhodes) are the classic island-hopping grounds, with frequent crossings between neighbouring islands. The Dalmatian coast of Croatia, the Italian islands and the Norwegian coast also reward travelling by sea. Each destination guide explains which crossings connect it.
How do I get to these destinations by ferry?
Every destination guide has a “Getting there by ferry” section listing the real crossings that serve it, each linking to a full timetable with operators and crossing times. Most Greek islands are reached from the port of Piraeus in Athens; islands closer together are linked by short inter-island hops.
When is the best time to visit by ferry?
Ferry networks are busiest and most frequent from late spring to early autumn, when seasonal high-speed services run and connections multiply. Shoulder season (May, September, October) offers quieter crossings and easier bookings, while winter timetables are reduced — always check the route page for the season you're travelling.
Can I plan a multi-island trip across several destinations?
Yes. Use the trip planner to chain several ports into one itinerary and see which legs sail direct, then open each destination guide for what to do once ashore. It's the easiest way to build an island-hopping route that actually connects.