Ferry or Plane? How to Get to Mykonos & How to Move Around
Mykonos attracts thousands of tourists every year and it’s a must-visit Greek island, in this post you will learn how to get to Mykonos by plane or by sea.
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Mykonos is one of the most popular and, at the same time, most exclusive islands in Greece. The island, which attracts thousands of tourists every year, is among the most visited places you can visit in Greece.
A must-visit island for anybody wishing to enjoy the iconic views of the Cyclades, Mykonos can be easily reached by plane or sea.
Whether you’re visiting from Europe with a charter flight or traveling from the capital of Greece, Athens, here you will find the basics on how to get to Mykonos.
How to Travel to Mykonos, Greece
Top-rated tours in Mykonos:
The Original Morning Delos Guided Tour
Yacht Cruise to Rhenia Island & Guided Tour of Delos
Discover Authentic Mykonos Tour
Can you Fly to Mykonos? Getting to Mykonos by Plane
Only 20 minutes from Mykonos Town, Mykonos International Airport is right in the island’s center. It receives daily flights from Athens (Aegean Airlines and Olympic Air) – up to seven daily flights in summer and up to five weekly flights from Thessaloniki.
The flight time from Athens is only 35 minutes, while a flight from Thessaloniki is about an hour.
In summer, direct flights are from leading European cities, including London, Milan, Rome, and Paris. Both Mykonos and Santorini are also connected by plane with a daily flight.
Once at the airport, there are buses connecting to the city center. You can also hire a taxi (although the taxi fares on the island are pretty high compared to other Greek Islands).
Consider it if your hotel offers transfer services to or from the port.
How to Get to Mykonos by Ferry
Getting to Mykonos by ferry is the most popular way to reach the island from Athens, especially in the high season. Always remember to book your ticket in advance to secure a seat on the desired dates.
Most ferries arrive at the modern port of Mykonos, and several cruise ships reach the island from late May well into October.
If you’re reaching the island by sea, check your ticket to ensure you arrive and depart from the same port.
To avoid that hustle and head straight into the boat, buy your ticket online through Ferryhopper.
Check out ferry ticket fees and schedules here.
Ferries to Mykonos from Athens
There are 3 to 4 daily ferries from the Port of Piraeus. The trip lasts about 5 hours (an hour less if you choose to book a fast ferry).
You can also depart from the lesser-known Port of Rafina, which offers up to seven different ferries during the high season with a much shorter sailing time (about three hours).
Traveling to Mykonos from Other Greek Islands
Who wouldn’t like to travel to Mykonos for a short day trip if they spend time on other Greek islands? In fact, many visitors often include Mykonos in their island-hopping itinerary and travel there from other islands.
For this reason, there are several ferry connections between Mykonos and many other Greek Islands; these are some of the most popular routes:
Crete – Mykonos
There’s a daily ferry connecting Mykonos to the Port of Heraklion. During summer, a daily boat from Chania and two weekly trips departing from Rethymnon. The trip lasts between 4 and 5 hours.
Santorini – Mykonos
There are two to four daily ferries connecting both islands. The trip can last from 2.30 h to 4 hours, depending on the kind of ferry you choose. Those staying in Santorini can easily visit Mykonos on a day trip if they travel with a high-speed ferry.
Paros – Mykonos
Paros is quite close to Mykonos; it can be reached in about an hour (up to two hours on a regular ferry) by boarding one of the 2-4 ferries departing daily.
Naxos – Mykonos
Three to five daily ferries connect Mykonos and Naxos with relatively short sailing times (1-2 hours). For this reason, a day trip to Naxos is also a great idea if you’re spending your vacations in Mykonos.
Ferry Routes from Mykonos to Other Greek Islands
Amorgos: 2-4 weekly ferries. For a more frequent schedule, choose the Port of Katapola.
Andros: 1-2 daily ferries, with a short sailing time (about 2 hours).
Ios: 1-3 daily ferries with a sailing time of a bit more than just an hour. Ios is, in fact, another great island to visit if you’re staying in Mykonos and would like to experience some authentic island-hopping in Greece.
Folegandros: 1 daily ferry.
Samos: There is one daily service, and the trip takes less than four hours.
There are also ferries bound to the islands of Kimolos, Folegandros, Sifnos, Serifos, and the Small Cyclades; travel times are often related to connections, so trips can last quite long even when the distances to be covered are pretty short.
Ferries to the nearby island of Delos depart from the old port of Mykonos.
Moving Around in Mykonos
The central bus station is at Mykonos town’s entrance, near the iconic Windmills by the sea.
From here, buses reach the most important villages in Mykonos, including Platys Gialos, Ornos, Agios Stefanos, Kalafati, Elia, and other famous beaches. Some of these beaches can also be reached by boat.
The buses to the most trendy beaches on the island, including Ornos, Paradise, and Super Paradise, are not as frequent and are usually super crowded.
Sometimes, the boat looks like a far better option, though sailing times are more relaxed. A regular service also connects the old and the new port.
Rent Your Vehicle in Mykonos
Although this is not my favorite island to drive on, it can be fine to avoid the chaos of some coastal villages, the most popular beaches, and Mykonos town. Here, you can compare car rental fees.
If you hire a quad or a motorcycle, please be extremely careful with the intense summer traffic. Also, keep in mind that in the high season, many areas to access the center of the Old Town are closed to traffic.
Taxis are not as affordable as in other destinations in Greece, and in peak months, the waiting times for a taxi can be very long. At night, you’ll probably pay an extra fee for any piece of extra luggage.
>> Check out car rental fees for Mykonos
General Information About Mykonos
Iconic, whitewashed, and typically Greek are some of the ways you might use when trying to describe Mykonos.
The utmost expression of thoughtless holiday life, summer entertainment, and decadent parties, Mykonos is a controversial island that, each season, attracts an eclectic kind of audience.
On Mykonos, elite travelers from the European jet set share the island with young travelers with a more restricted budget.
Mykonos is also a popular destination for gay tourism due to its open-minded and friendly atmosphere. All these reasons make it a super popular destination, with easy connections from Athens and all over Europe.
However, Mykonos is not just about wild parties, dance floors, and yachts. You can do many things on the island, including visiting museums, discovering fantastic churches, or even swimming in relatively remote and tranquil beaches.
Some of the shores on the island are genuinely shallow and safe, making them an excellent destination for children, even when Mykonos is better known for its nightlife.
Where to Stay in Mykonos
There are plenty of unique places to stay on the island, whether you prefer a B&B, a top hotel, or a vacation home in Mykonos.
I recommend you to check Jenny’s Summer Houses or a family place like Acrogiali Beach Hotel, both in Platys Gialos. To compare prices and availability, click on the map below to discover more accommodation opportunities.
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How to Travel to Mykonos
Gabi Ancarola
I have been living in Chania, Crete, since 2016. This has given me an intimate knowledge of Greece. In Crete, I’m a travel writer and also host culinary experiences. I co-authored DK Eyewitness Top 10 Crete. I write about Crete at Crete Insider and about Greek food at My Cretan Recipe.
