Athens to Andros Ferry: How to Get to Andros, Greece in 2025

Andros is part of the Cyclades group of islands in Greece, located only 44 nautical miles from the mainland port. Ferries from Athens to Andros depart from Rafina, not the more commonly known Piraeus port.

Andros is one of the easiest Cycladic islands to reach from Athens, making it a great choice for a first Greek island trip or the starting point for an island-hopping itinerary.

I’ve spent two weeks exploring Andros and have visited over ten Greek islands, from Paxos to Folegandros, so I’ve seen my fair share of ferry ports. If you’re new to Greek ferries or just want to make sure your trip goes smoothly, this guide has everything you need to know, from getting to the port, the differences between the ferry options and what to expect when you arrive on the island.

Some posts on this site contain affiliate links to products or services I’ve found useful. If you make a purchase through these links I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). This helps keep the travel blog running, so thank you.

In a hurry? Athens to Andros ferry summary

Duration: 1 to 2 hours depending on ferry type
Departure port: Rafina (not Piraeus)
Cost: €20–35 for foot passengers
Frequency: Daily during summer
Check prices and book tickets at Ferryhopper.com

Planning a trip to Andros? Check out these key services

🚖 How to get from Athens Airport to Rafina ferry port?

Get picked up and go directly to the port with this reasonably priced airport transfer.

📌 What’s a great tour not to miss on Andros?

Join this guided hiking tour to uncover one of Andros’ most unique locations, a waterfall in the middle of a Greek island.

🛌 Where to stay on Andros?

I stayed at the beautiful Cozy Nest apartment with a gorgeous terrace overlooking the sea in Batsi and it was total bliss.

🚗 How to hire a car?

Check local firms and trusted companies at Discover Cars so you can explore Andros at your own pace.

How long is the ferry from Athens to Andros?

athens andros fast ferry coming into port at Gavrio — The Seajets fast ferry I took from Andros to Athens

The ferry from Athens to Andros typically takes between one and two hours, depending on which service you choose. Most ferries leave from Rafina port, to the east of Athens.

There are two main types of ferries operating the Rafina to Andros route, the fast and the cheaper.

The standard ferry is the cheaper and more frequent option, running multiple times a day and taking two hours to get from Athens to Andros.

If you’re in more of a rush, the faster ferry service is advertised as taking just over an hour.

I’ve used both options and found on my trip that unfortunately the fast ferry wasn’t so fast after all. Strong Meltemi winds meant that the high-speed ferry arrived late and ended up taking almost as long as the regular one and it cost more. However, this isn’t always the case.

If you’re travelling during the Meltemi wind season (typically peaking in July and August), it’s a good idea to factor in a bit of extra time if you’re connecting with onward transport, just in case.

Athens to Andros ferry tickets and prices

greek flag flying from back of ferry — A Greek flag flying from the back of the ferry I took from Athens to Andros

Booking the ferry from Athens to Andros is easy to do online using Ferryhopper.com. I love using their site, it’s fast to search, simple to use, and makes comparing different ferry operators and ticket types easy to do in one place.

Click here to check price and availability for the Athens to Andros ferry

Ticket prices for the Athens to Andros ferry range from €20 to €35 for foot passengers, depending on the time of year and whether you choose the faster or slower ferry. If you’re bringing a vehicle, tickets will cost more.

The high-speed services are a bit more expensive, while the standard ferries are great if you’re on a tighter budget. The Athens to Andros route is good value compared to some other Greek island-hopping routes.

Ferries can and do sell out, particularly in peak summer months like July and August. I recommend booking at least a few months ahead.

If you’re already on Andros and your return or onward sailing looks uncertain due to weather, the local ferry offices in Batsi, Chora and Gavrio should be able to help.

From personal experience, I’d strongly suggest building in a one or two-day buffer before your return flight from Athens. On my trip, on one day ferries were cancelled entirely due to high winds. Another day saw disruption because of a wildfire near Rafina port. It’s a great excuse to spend a day or two exploring Athens and ticking off a visit to the Acropolis.

What ferry companies go from Athens to Andros island?

athens andros car ferry loading a lorry — A lorry being loaded onto a ferry bound for Andros, Greece

Several ferry companies operate the Rafina to Andros route, including:

Golden Star Ferries
Seajets
Fast Ferries
Hellenic Seaways

I used both Golden Star Ferries and Seajets and found the services on board to be pretty similar.

Ferryhopper.com is the best site to compare all the operators in one place and find the option that works best for your trip.

What’s the ferry like?

athens to andros ferry seating — Seating area on the ferry to Andros

Standard ferry

The standard car ferry from Rafina to Andros is spacious and comfortable. There’s plenty of room for passengers and luggage. Foot passengers usually board via a side ramp.

andros ferry view from outside on deck, mountains of the mainland coastline in the background — View from the outside top deck on the Athens to Andros ferry I took

Don’t stay on the first deck you get to when you board, head upstairs for quieter seating, a second café, and access to the outdoor deck.

There are toilets and air conditioning on board, and the café prices were reasonable on the Golden Star ferry. I paid €1.60 for a tea and €2.30 for a croissant.

The journey was smooth, and even Mr Flip Flops Included, who usually gets seasick, felt fine.

Fast ferry

The fast ferry is also large and carries vehicles, but the ride felt bumpier. Mr Flip Flops Included felt a bit queasy on this one (which could have been due to the high winds that day).

Seating is allocated when you buy the ticket and on arrival you’re directed to your specified seating area and row. However, we weren’t seated together, so we moved to a nearby row where there were some empty seats.

athens andros fast ferry cafe — Fast ferry café

Snacks and drinks were more expensive than on the slower ferry.

Make sure you’re definitely in the queue for the right ferry. One passenger got quite short shrift for accidently trying to board the wrong ferry.

athens andros ferry luggage rack with luggage — Luggage area on the fast ferry

There are toilets, air conditioning and luggage space on board both options, and although some people carried bags with them, we left our suitcases in the allocated racks.

Athens to Andros ferry timetable

rafina port, Athens, Greece — Rafina port, which gets busy when the ferries arrive

Ferries from Athens to Andros run daily all year round. In the summer months, the number of sailings typically increases, with more options throughout the day.

Departures from Rafina are usually spaced across the morning and afternoon. The earliest ferry currently leaves at 7.30am, with the final sailing between 5.30pm and 7.15pm, depending on the day.

Timetables do vary, so it’s always best to check the latest times on the Ferryhopper.com website before you travel.

Windy conditions, especially in summer when the Meltemi winds blow, can lead to delays or cancellations. Always double-check your departure time and ferry company before heading to the port, especially if you booked your ticket in advance.

How to get from Athens Airport to Rafina port

athens airport bus to Rafina ferry port at airport bus stop — The bus stop and bus from Athens airport to Rafina ferry port

Rafina is the closest ferry port to Athens International Airport, and it takes about 30 minutes to reach by car.

There is a public bus option and tickets cost €3.60 one way. However, finding the bus from Athens airport to Rafina was a real challenge. Some online information points to a stop opposite the Sofitel Hotel, but that’s no longer the case.

To find the Rafina bus, exit the airport at door 5, turn right and walk towards the public bus stands where you’ll see two white information kiosks. Ask a staff member where the Rafina bus leaves from, as the location may have changed again.

If it’s still in the same place, you’ll need to cross the road, head right, and walk to the far end of the pavement. Look out for a small sign for the bus to Rafina, or ask someone nearby.

Tickets are bought in cash directly on the bus. Services are infrequent and the whole process felt surprisingly stressful. Check the timetable here.

If you’re arriving late, the weather’s hot, or you’re juggling luggage, I’d recommend booking a private transfer or taxi in advance. It’s not as cheap as the bus, but it saves you valuable time and hassle.

Book online with Kiwitaxi in advance, and they’ll meet you at arrivals and take you straight to Rafina. This means you’re not competing with everyone else who’s just arrived and is trying to get a taxi. Getting straight to the port without any drama is well worth it.

Click here to check price and availability of a private airport transfer in Athens

Arrival on Andros: what to expect in Gavrio

andros bus at gavrio — Mr Flip Flops Included boarding the bus at Gavrio port, Andros, after arriving on the ferry

Gavrio is the location of the ferry port on Andros, on the island’s west coast. It’s the gateway to the rest of the island, and where you’ll get your first glimpse of what Andros is like.

Right in front of the port there’s a selection of cafés, restaurants and mini-markets, along with taxis and buses to onward destinations. I’ve arrived at many ports and they can often be a bit of a stressful and hectic mess. I found Gavrio to be a lot more calming, thankfully.

I arrived in Gavrio in mid-moring and was relieved to see buses waiting at the port. I was nervous they might have gone if the ferry was delayed, but they are actually timed to wait for the ferry arrivals.

The buses connect Gavrio with the two other main towns on Andros, Batsi and Chora, though outside the summer months services may be more limited.

Buses leave from a parking area to the left of the harbour, as you look towards the shops, with your back to the sea. Look for Captain’s Car Rental and the bus area is opposite it.

Captain's car rental, the bus from Gavrio ferry port leaves fromopposite here — Buses leave from over the road from this Captain’s Car Rental shop

Once you’re on the bus, you pay the ticket inspector onboard in cash, and there’s plenty of space under the bus for your luggage.

taxi rank at gavrio port, andros — The taxi rank hut at Gavrio port, Andros, Greece

There’s also a taxi rank in front of the harbour. This is useful if you do miss the bus, want to explore Gavrio first, or prefer a more comfortable ride.

Getting around Andros

andros bus sign — Public bus sign at Gavrio port

Andros is the second largest island in the Cyclades, so getting around takes a bit of planning, especially if you want to explore beyond the main towns.

I spent two weeks travelling around Andros without a car, using buses, hiking, biking and taxis.

Although the bus routes are limited, I used them quite a bit and found them useful for getting between key spots. Just make sure to check the local bus timetables, as they change with the seasons.

On one day on my trip, I took the bus to get from Chora to Tis Grias To Pidima beach at Korthi. The journey took about half an hour longer than the advertised time, as the bus stopped to pick up passengers transferring from the bus from Batsi to Chora, but the views were beautiful whilst we waited.

I used some taxis on Andros to get around. I found them to be very reliable and easy to book in English over WhatsApp. Fares were reasonable too, they worked out at roughly €1 per minute of travel for most journeys. From Chora you can use Vicki Manesi Taxi: +30 698 052 8250.

Andros is also one of the best Cycladic islands for hiking. If you’re up for a slower pace, the walking trails are brilliantly marked. Check the Andros routes website for details of all the hiking routes. I loved exploring many of the trails on my trip and they often lead to spots you wouldn’t see by car.

If you want to go a bit faster than walking, bicycle hire is available in Batsi and Chora. It’s a fun option for going on an outdoor adventure in Andros. Although the island is hilly, so an e-bike is necessary. I paid €35 per day from Riva Rentals in Chora.

Car hire or scooter hire is an option if you want to explore further afield.

FAQs: how to get from Athens to Andros

Can I bring a car to Andros?

Yes, you can bring a car to Andros if you book a place on a car ferry. Make sure to check with your car hire company that you can take the car over to Andros.

Are fast ferries worth it?

Sometimes, but not if the weather is rough. The journey from Athens to Andros doesn’t take that long, even on the slower ferries.

Can I bring luggage onboard?

Yes, as a foot passenger, you carry your bags with you on the ferry or will be directed to use the luggage racks.

How early should I arrive at Rafina port?

My ticket for the ferry from Athens to Andros said to arrive 45 minutes before departure but a local we spoke to said, as foot passengers, we only needed to be there 30 minutes beforehand, which was plenty. Do get there earlier if travelling with a car or in peak season.

Planning more Greek island hopping? Check out my Corfu to Paxos ferry guide for tips on travelling in the Ionian Islands.