Cyclades, Greece
Ferries from Kea
Kea (Cyclades, Greece) has 2 ferry routes to 2 destinations, operated by Blue Star Ferries and NEL Lines. You can sail from Kea to Kythnos and Lavrio. Crossing times and timetables for each route are listed below.
- 2
- Routes
- 2
- Destinations
- 2
- Operators
Routes & timetables
What ferry routes connect Kea?
2 crossings with live schedules — each card opens its full timetable.
Timetable
Ferry departures from Kea
2 scheduled sailings leaving Kea, across every route. Times are local.
Times are indicative and may change seasonally. Confirm with the operator before travelling.
Network
Where does Kea connect?
Operators
Location
Where is Kea?
- Region
- Cyclades
- Coordinates
- 37.561° N, 24.330° E
- Shortest crossing
- 1h
About
About Kea
Kea is the closest Cycladic island to Athens and you cannot get there from Piraeus. Every scheduled ferry comes from Lavrio on the far side of Attica, which is why an island an hour from the capital sees a fraction of the traffic that islands four hours away receive.
The only way in
The crossing from Lavrio covers 16 nautical miles in 45 minutes to an hour and runs almost daily through the year — SeaJets on the high-speed side, and conventional ferries operated by Karistia, Goutos Lines and Blue Star. Our timetable also holds a Kythnos link at about 85 minutes.
Boats land at Korissia on the northwest coast, the island's port village, about 5 km from the capital.
⚠ No Piraeus fallback
On most Greek islands a cancelled sailing means looking for another operator or another port. Here there is neither. If the Lavrio boat does not run, you wait for the next one.
That matters at the end of a trip. Leave a day of slack before a flight rather than treating the crossing as a formality because it is short.
Why it stays quiet
The road transfer is the filter. Lavrio is roughly an hour from central Athens and awkward without a car, so Kea gets Athenian weekenders — many with houses on the island — rather than the international island-hopping traffic that fills Mykonos and Santorini.
The practical consequence is a Cycladic island with normal prices, open tavernas in winter, and almost no through traffic, an hour from a European capital.
What is here
Kea covers 131 km² and had a permanent population of 2,335 at the 2021 census. Ioulida, the hillside capital, is inland rather than on the water — unusual in the Cyclades and a relic of pirate-era caution. The island is walkable, with an old network of stone paths still in use, and the Lion of Ioulis, carved into a rock face above the town some time before 600 BC, is the landmark.
Getting around
There is a bus but it is built around the ferry rather than around visitors. Most people hire a car at Korissia or bring one across — the island is hilly and the distances are longer than the map suggests.
Season
The Lavrio link runs year round, which makes Kea one of the few Cyclades genuinely reachable in winter. Summer weekends are the busy period, and they are busy with Greeks.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Where can I get a ferry to from Kea?
From Kea you can take a ferry to Kythnos and Lavrio. Each route page shows the crossing time and timetable.
Which ferry companies operate from Kea?
Ferries from Kea are run by Blue Star Ferries and NEL Lines. Open an operator page for its fleet, routes and contact details.
How many ferry routes serve Kea?
Kea is served by 2 ferry routes connecting 2 ports. Timetables can change seasonally, so confirm with the operator before travelling.
Where is Kea ferry port located?
Kea is in Cyclades, Greece (around 37.561, 24.330). See the map on this page for its exact location.
How do I get to Kea ferry terminal?
Arrive at Kea well before departure — typically 30–60 minutes ahead for foot passengers and longer if you are travelling with a vehicle. Check local bus, train or taxi connections to the terminal and confirm the exact boarding point with your operator.
What are the most popular ferries from Kea?
Popular crossings from Kea include Kythnos and Lavrio. Browse the full list below for crossing times and live timetables.
Do ferries from Kea carry cars?
Vehicle capacity varies by route and vessel. Check the individual route page and confirm with the operator before travelling with a car.
When should I book a ferry from Kea?
For peak season and any sailing with a vehicle, book as early as possible. Off-peak foot-passenger fares are usually more flexible. Always confirm the latest timetable before travelling.
Reviewed by Serhat Özçelik, Founder & Editor of Ferry Schedule Hub · Last updated Aug 8, 2026.
Help us keep schedules accurate — we read every report.