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It has been a few months since we returned from our trip to Greece. Although this has been one of the best trips in years, I dread writing this travel blog about our experience with the Greek ferries as it reminds me of the most unpleasant parts of our trip. Before travelling to Greece, I romanticised the idea of Greek ferries as taking the scenic route. If you’re thinking the same, change your plans. Don’t get me wrong; I fully understand the importance of travelling by ferry between the islands; I only wish we had come more prepared.

If you are planning a trip to Greece and want to island hop between Santorini, Milos, and Mykonos, I highly recommend you read this travel blog before taking a Greek Ferry to avoid having a horrible experience. My apologies in advance if this article sounds overly dramatic; I am not the only one who has had this experience. 

This travel blog aims to give you all the information I wish I had known before travelling by ferry in Greece. By being prepared, you will be spared some of the unpleasantness and uncertainty often accompanying ferry trips in the Greek islands.

Please read also our latest article about Greek ferries from July 2024, which gives you a different perspective of ferries: Greek ferries: The biggest mistake we made on our island hopping trip.

People standing on the roof of a very waving at people on the dock
Views from the top deck of a Greek ferry
The fast ferry of Seajets called Super Runner Jet
The fast ferry of Seajets called Super Runner Jet

Best ferry trips in the Greek Islands

We took three ferry trips during our Greece holiday in September 2022. The first trip was from Santorini to Milos, then Mykonos, and finally back to Santorini. Our first ferry trip from Santorini was daunting because we didn’t know what to expect and came unprepared. From Santorini to Milos, we took the SeaJets, Speedrunner Jet. This ferry trip was by far our worst trip! Our trip was also delayed on the day, causing us to wait at the port for more than two hours after having to leave our hotel early morning. Although we purchased superior tickets, we had no idea where to go and ended up on the lower level of the vessel, where so many people were seasick. We didn’t take any precautions against getting seasick, as we thought it was unnecessary. Be warned! You need to take medication against motion sickness, commonly known as Dramamine. We experienced very rough seas, which are common in the Greek islands. From Milos to Mykonos, we were again booked on SeaJets. As first-time visitors to Greece, we had no time to waste and wanted to get to our next destination as soon as possible! This is the most common mistake when deciding on which ferry to take! I will get into this further later on in this article. For this trip, we managed to buy tablets from a port café owner for 3 euros each! This ferry trip was pleasant because the seas were much calmer than our first trip, and we came prepared with seasick tablets. This trip took 2 hours and 45 minutes. Our final ferry trip, from Mykonos to Santorini (Thira), was our best! We booked our tickets on Minoan lines and Santorini Palace, and this trip took three hours. We experienced calm seas and had VIP seats on the upper level of the vessel. Also, read our related articles listed below, particularly “What makes Santorini irresistible?”. In this article, we also go into detail about our ferry experiences.
People waving from a ferry in Greece to the people on the port
Views of the Milos port from the top deck

Must I fly instead of taking a Greek Ferry?

Consider these ten questions when deciding if you should fly or rather take a ferry to a Greek Island.

  1. Are rough seas common in Greece?

Strong winds over the Aegean Sea often cause extreme weather conditions. These conditions lead to unpleasant trips for passengers when vessels tremble and shake for hours. The Meltemi leads to strong winds on the Greek Islands.
  1. Not all ferries are created equal.

What is a Fast ferry?

Research your vessel carefully for your route before making your booking. The smaller, faster ferries mean preparing yourself for a rough ride (read seasickness). They save you a lot of time on your trip but often come with a sacrifice. The fast ferries are not only more expensive but also only have indoor seating options available. These ferries have a snack bar and café. However, the prices are very high. Pro Tip: Take some snacks and drinks with you for the trip.

What is a slow ferry?

Big, slower ferries look like cruise liners, ensuring you hardly feel the movement of the waves. They have fully functional restaurants with many meal and drink options. The restaurants on board the vessels are very convenient as they bring the food to your seat, and this is a lovely way to pass the time on a long journey.
  1. Do ferries get cancelled or replaced by another type of ferry?

The faster and smaller ferries like Seajets often get cancelled first. Moreover, ferries mostly get cancelled during the windy months, January, February, July, and August. We travelled with Seajets and Speedrunnes after our Seajet2 was cancelled due to rough seas. We received a departure notification change by email from Ferries. gr the night before informing us of the changes in departure times. We did not have to change our tickets or take any action. When we arrived at the port, our booking was amended. On a positive note, the Greek ferries run a well-organised system, although it may seem overwhelming and complicated from the outside.
  1. Is it worth paying more for a superior-class ferry ticket?

In our experience, the answer is absolutely yes! It is worth booking a seat if you don’t want to fight for a good seat. Sea Jets offers three classes, namely standard (silver), business (club class), and VIP (platinum). Standard seats are on the lower deck, and VIPs are on the top deck. We found the toilets on the lower decks small and smelled of vomit. Moreover, the lower deck was very crowded, with many seasick people. For these reasons, we upgraded our tickets for the following trips: the upper classes toilets were much bigger and cleaner, and the seating areas were more comfortable and less crowded. Pro tip: Minoanian lines operate some of the most luxurious ferries in Greece. This was the most enjoyable ferry trip of all. The seats were comfortable, the restaurant was useful on board, and (bonus) we didn’t experience any unpleasant smells of sick passengers.
  1. Will I get seasick on a ferry?

Passengers who don’t typically suffer from motion sickness often get seasick on ferries. The water gets seriously choppy and very uncomfortable at times. You have nothing to lose! Come prepared; take Dramamine at least 30 minutes before your trip. This worked very well for us. We didn’t get sick when we took the medication.
  1. Are ferries in Greece chaotic?

Once on the vessel, you need to find a space for your suitcase on either side of the vessel where secure holders are available on the floor. Take your valuables with you. There is no need to worry about theft; this rarely happens on ferries. The staircase cases are very steep, and taking your luggage with you will be difficult without a light backpack. Despite the chaos during embarkation and debarkation, you need not panic! But be warned…ferries wait for no one! Regular announcements on the loudspeakers inform passengers when they are approaching a port and when they must start making their way to the vessel’s exits. When we spotted land, we went downstairs to avoid the impending stampede off the vessel.
  1. Are ferries in Greece notoriously late?

Before leaving your hotel, check with the ferry company if your ferry is still on time. There is no need to arrive more than half an hour before your trip. Port officials are very helpful and will assist you in lining up at the correct station. In our experience, people at the port chat with each other to make sure they are in line for the correct vessel. PRO TIP: As soon as you arrive at the port, again ask port officials if your ferry is on time and if your vessel has changed.
  1. Must I book ferry tickets in advance?

Ferryhopper has a user-friendly cellphone app that lets you browse routes and different vessels and view upcoming and past trips. You can also check online using the app. You can also board the vessel using your e-ticket; there is no need to print out your ticket beforehand. We booked our Santorini to Milos trip with Ferries. gr. We didn’t find this app very helpful. During our travels in September 2022, they mostly dealt with us through emails. *During our trip (September 2022), e-tickets were accepted on most vessels.
  1. Must I arrange for transport to the ferry port in advance?

Like most other ports, Santorini port is too far to walk from the nearest town. Transfer options from the ports include buses, taxis, private transfers, and shuttle service arranged through your hotel. Note there are limited taxis and buses at ports because transport is limited on most islands. If you didn’t book transport in advance, you must get off the ferry first to ensure you aren’t left behind. On our last trip, we prebooked our transfer using Welcome pickups from Santorini Port to Santorini Airport. This trip cost 35 euros.
  1. Must I have cash to pay for things on the ferry?

Most ports have ATMs allowing you to get cash, as most taxi drivers only accept cash.

Can I travel with my pet on Greek ferries?

Most ferry companies allow you to travel with your pet without any charge. However, ensure that you have your dog or cat’s health certificate with you.

What are the luggage weight restrictions on Greek ferries?

Sea Jets and Blue Star Ferries have a weight restriction of 50kg, while Fast Ferries and Minoans Lines do not have any weight restrictions.

PRO TIP:

We use Ferryhopper to book all our ferry trips. Try our easy widget below to find your perfect ferry trip. The Ferryhoppers website has a cool interactive ferry map that you can use to find the best trip, including fees.  

The ferry port at Santorini
The port in Santorini
Passengers getting on to the ferry in Greece
Passengers getting on board a vessel
Passengers boarding a ferry in Greece
Once onboard passengers start scrambelling for space for their luggage
The cafeteria of a ferry
A small cafeteria onboard the Seajet vessel
the toilets on a ferry in Greece
The toilets on board the vessel
The staircase to lower levels
Bernie enjoying the comfortable seating on a ferry
Comfortable seating on the Seajets, fast ferries, from Milos to Mykonos
A high speed ferry in the port in Greece
Taking the Minoan lines high speed ferry, Santorini Palace, from Milos to Santorini
The luxury seating area on Santorini palace ferry
The luxury seating on the Santorini Palace ferry
The comfortable seats on Minoan Lines
Spacious seating areas on Santorini Palace
View of the upper VIP deck on a ferry
Views showing the upper deck of the VIP level
Small Group Ladies Tours to the Garden Route, Kruger, Cape Town and Kwazulu-Natal

Conclusion

Sea Jets never again! The thought of so many people sitting next to us looking green in their faces, the smell of vomit coming from all sides, and the rock and roll of the vessel is something we will never forget. In all fairness, this could have been due to the rough seas we experienced during some of our trips. However, we would definitely recommend taking Minoanian lines, particularly Santorini Palace, as this was the experience we imagined when dreaming of island hopping on the Greek islands.

Despite the unreliable Greek ferry system, it is still the most efficient and busiest in the world. You need not arrive at any port more than 30 minutes before the scheduled time, and the ferry never leaves before the scheduled time.

Instead of taking a ferry back to Athens, we booked a flight from Santorini, which only took 30 minutes. Although the time spent at the airport checking in took much longer, we found the experience much more pleasant, considering what we had endured on some of the ferries. 

Good to know: We connected to the Internet on most of the ferries we travelled on. 

PRO TRAVEL BLOG TIP:

We bought an 18 GIG SIM card at Athens airport for 30 Euros for 30 days. Although not free, many of the larger ferries have Wi-Fi.

For more information about the Greek islands, it is also advisable to get a travel guide.

Discover unforgettable experiences and exciting activities on the Greek islands here.

9 Comments

  1. I could not have agreed more with this article. Many years back we experienced the worst ever sea sickness and I still remember it to this day. Numerous people fainting, I was so sick, I became delirious and started to remove my clothing down to my underwear and was sweating profusely as if I had a very high fever, just a horrible experience.

  2. This is great information! I am planning a trip in early June. Unfortunately, Seajets is the only option for a ferry during my travel time. I used you link to look up Minoan Lines, and it does not seem as if they have any ferries from santorini to Mykonos & vice versa.

  3. Thank you for leaving a comment. Seajets is not a bad option if you book a higher grade (i.e. VIP class). We hope you have an unforgettable experience. You picked amazing islands to visit. Don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter as we will be visiting three lesser known islands in Greece in June. Have a fantastic trip. Your travel buddies, Bernie and Petra

  4. Hi Niko
    Thank you for leaving that valuable comment. We know that there are great ferry trips one has to be careful which ones you pick. We are off to Andros, Tinos and Syros in June. We are super excited but will also have to use ferries in between the island. We are hoping to bring an updated article that will remove some of the negativity of the Greece Ferries.

  5. Please keep in mind that Seajets also has larger vessels, which take cars and as such provide a calmer ride and are less prone to cancellations. I’d only avoid the smaller Seajets vessels. When searching for connections, make sure the vessel you are selecting takes cars. This is easy to spot on ferryhopper, for example.

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About the Author

As a freelance travel journalist and seasoned business professional, Bernie van der Linde has made it her mission to explore the world's most unique and luxurious destinations. With a PhD in business studies from the University of South Africa, Bernie has channeled her passion for travel, web design, and writing into founding the travel blog Travel Buddies Lifestyle. Here, she shares her adventures alongside her best friend and travel business partner, Petra, who seamlessly translate and compile articles relevant to their German and European audience.

Bernie's love for exploring new places has taken her to some of the world's most exotic locations. Whether gazing out at the glittering skyline of Dubai or enjoying the tranquillity of a private beach in Mauritius, Bernie is always looking for unique experiences that will inspire and entice her readers to travel.

Through her thoughtful writing and unparalleled passion for travel, Bernie van der Linde has made a name for herself in the world of travel writing. Her knack for uncovering hidden gems and sharing her experiences with her readers has made her a trusted source of inspiration for those looking to explore the world in style.

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