Naxos is the largest island of the Cyclades and one of the most popular travel destinations in the area. There are plenty of ruins within easy reach and the island is proud of its beaches as well. The old walled city offers some of the most picturesque alleys on the entire island.

Port of Piraeus

The port of Piraeus (or Pireas*) is large and can be a little confusing when you first have to deal with it. Make sure to check this interactive map and allow plenty of time to get to the gate your ferry departs from (which is printed on the ticket).

All the ferries to Naxos depart from Port Gate Ε7.

>>more information on Getting from Athens to Piraeus

How long does it take to get from Athens to Naxos?

It takes between 3 h 30 min and 6 h to get from Athens to Naxos, depending on the type of ferry you are taking.

Is there a high speed ferry between Athens and Naxos?

Yes.

How much does it cost to get from Athens to Naxos by ferry?

The price depends on the company and type of seat you choose.

This article tackles only the ferries from Piraeus to Naxos and return. There are also ferries from Rafina to Naxos (and return).

On the ferries operated by Sea Jets, from Piraeus to Naxos the single economy class ticket is €49 for an adult; on the ferries operate by Hellenic Seaways, the single economy non smoking ticket is €51 for an adult, while on the ferries operated by Blue Star Ferries , the single ticket is €33.50 for an adult.

How many ferries per day depart from Athens to Naxos during the low season?

For the purpose of this article, we consider the low season March to June; however, September and October (comprised in the section below) also see fewer ferry connections than during the high season.
The low season 2014 has already ended.

How many ferries per day depart from Athens to Naxos during the high season?

The following ferries connect Piraeus to Naxos during the 2014 high season (July – Oct):

Tue, 7 a.m., Jul 29
Daily 7 a.m., until Jul 15, Jul 16- Jul 28, Jul 30 – Aug 31, Sep 1- Sep 14
Mon, Wed, Fri-Sun 7 a.m., Sep 15 – Sep 29
Tue , Thu, Sat , Sep 30 – Oct 18
Daily 7:15 a.m., Jun 30 – Sep 7
Daily 7:25 a.m., until Sep 14
Mon,Tue, Thu, Fri, Sun, 7:25 a.m., Sep 15 – Oct 31
Wed, Sat 7:25 a.m., Sep 17 – Oct 29
Mon, Thu 7:30 a.m., Sep 8 – Sep 25
Sat 7:30 a.m., Sep 13 – Sep 27
Fri 4:30 p.m., Sep 12 , Sep 19 – Sep 26
Mon, Tue, Thu 4:45 p.m., until Jul 3
Fri 4:45 p.., until Jul 4
Sun 4:45 p.m., Jun 29 – Jul 6
Daily except on Wed, 4:45 p.m., Jul 7 – Sep 6
Mon, Tue, Thu 4:45 p.m., Sep 8 – Sep 11
Fri 4:45 p.m., Sep 12
Fri, 5:30 p.m., until Oct 24
Sat 5:30 p.m., until Sep 6, Sep 13 – Oct 25
Mon 5:30 p.m, Jun 30 – Oct 27
Wed 5:30 p.m, Jul 2 – Oct 29
Thu 5:30 p.m., until Oct 30
Tue 5:30 p.m., Jul 1 – Oct 28
Sun 5:30 p.m., Jun 29 – Oct 26

Are there any overnight journeys between Athens and Naxos?

No.

Where can I buy tickets from?

The tickets can be bought from online here, from the ferry company’s websites , from the travel agents or from the ports.

Does everyone charge the same prices?

Yes, the prices are the same regardless of where you book the ticket or purchase it from.

Hellenic Seaways runs a Bonus Miles program for the loyal passengers and the miles can be redeemed for discounts or upgrades. To use these you should purchase a ticket either from their subsidiaries, website or the travel agents which work with the company.

How about the ferries from Naxos to Athens?

The following ferries run between Naxos and Athens (Piraeus) during the 2014 high season:

Fri 9:30 a.m., until Oct 31
Sat 9:30 a.m., until Oct 25
Sun 9:30 a.m., Jun 29 – Sep 7, Sep 14 – Oct 26
Mon 9:30 a.m., Jun 30 – Sep 27
Tue 9:30 a.m., Jul 1 – Oct 28
Wed 9:30 a.m., Jul 2 – Oct 29
Thu 9:30 a.m., Jul 3 – Oct 30
Tue, Wed, Fri 11:30 a.m., until Jul 4, Sep 9 – Sep 12
Sun 11:30 a.m., until Jul 6, Sep 14
Mon 11:30 a.m., Jun 30 – Jul 7
Daily except on Thu 11:30 a.m., Jul 8 – Sep 7
Mon, Thu 3:30 p.m., Sep 13
Daily 4:30 p.m., Jul 7 – Jul 28, Jul 30 – Aug 31, Sep 1 – Sep 7, Sep 8 – Sep 14
Mon, Wed, Fri-Sun 4:30 p.m., Sep 15 – Sep 29
Tue 4:30 p.m., Jul 29
Daily 4:40 p.m., until Jul 6
Daily 5 p.m., Jun 30 – Sep 7
Daily 6 p.m., until Sep 14
Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sun 6 p.m., Sep 15 – Oct 31
Wed, Sat 6 p.m., Sep 17 – Oct 29
Sun 7 p.m., Sep 14, Sep 21 – Sep 28

The low season 2014 has already ended.

Important note:

The ferry companies submit their schedules weekly to the Ministry of Mercantile Marine so there might be times when the online booking schedule doesn’t match the reality.Your best bet is to check this link the day before departure (or the day of before) just to make sure things haven’t changed.

Read more about:

>> Ferries in Greece
>> Ferries from Athens: How to deal with the Port of Piraeus
>> Ferries from Athens to Aegina
>> Ferries from Athens to Crete
>> Ferries from Athens to Karpathos
>> Ferries from Athens to Hydra
>> Ferries from Athens to Mykonos
>> Ferries from Rafina to Mykonos
>> Ferries from Athens to Patmos
>> Ferries from Athens to Santorini
>> Ferries from Santorini to Crete
>> Ferries from Mykonos to Syros
>> Ferries from Santorini to Mykonos
>> Ferries from Santorini to Naxos
>> Ferries from Alonissos to Skopelos
>> Ferries from Corfu to Patras
>> Ferries from Rhodes to Kos
>> Ferries to and from Santorini
>> Ferries from Athens to Paros
>> Ferries from Mykonos to Crete
>> Ferries from Santorini to Karpathos
>> Ferries from Thessaloniki to Lesvos
>> Ferries to and from Mykonos
>> Ferries from Crete to Gavdos
>> Ferries from Santorini to Rhodes
>> Ferries from Santorini to Paros
>> Ferries from Mykonos to Ios
>> Ferries from Mykonos to Tinos
>> Ferries from Thessaloniki to Rhodes
>> Ferries from Athens to Thessaloniki
>> Ferries from Santorini to Syros
>> Ferries from Kavala to Thassos
>> Ferries from Alonissos to Skiathos
>> Ferries from Athens to Lesvos (Lesbos)
>> Ferries from Thessaloniki to Kos
>> Ferries from Thessaloniki to Chios

Note:
* Pireas and Piraeus are exactly the same place, but you can find them spelled in both ways. All road signs though point to Pireas.
**The article was first published in 2009; latest schedule and price update was made as of June 2014.

Photo credit: web4camguy on Flickr