The ferries are the ideal way to get from Athens to any island – Rhodes included – if you are on a low budget and have plenty of time on your hands. They are also a great way to make friends: a guitar and some wine go a long way and make a lot of friendships on a ferry deck.

Port of Piraeus

The Port of Piraeus (or Pireas*) is large and can be rather confusing. Make sure to check this interactive map .

All ferries to Rhodes (the Dodecanese islands) depart from Port Gate E1.

>>more information on Getting from Athens to Piraeus

Rhodes or Rodos?

When you are looking up ferries between Athens and island you should consider that the name of island (and/or port) is not in English. So while the English speaking world uses “Rhodes”, you’ll find the island called Rodos (sometimes also spelled as Rhodos), especially on the on-line booking sites. The port code is ROD.

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

The journey between Athens (Piraeus) and Rhodes takes between 12 and 17 hours, depending on the type of ferry you are taking.

Is there a high speed ferry between Athens and Rhodes?

No, there isn’t but the fastest ferry between Athens and Rhodes takes about 12 hours and departs at 7 p.m (almost daily during the high season and three times a week during the low season)

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

The prices depend on the class you opt for and the company which operates the ferry.
On the ferry operated by Blue Star Ferries (people & car ferry), the prices start at €73.50 single trip (for economy).

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

The following ferries to be available during the 2024 low season (Feb – May, September – October) between Athens and Rhodes:

Day of the week	Hour	Dates
Sunday	12:00 PM	till 4-Feb, from 11-Feb to 25-Feb
Tuesday	03:00 PM	from 6-Feb to 27-Feb
Thursday	03:00 PM	from 8-Feb to 29-Feb
Monday	06:00 PM	till 11-Mar, on 25-Mar on 1-Apr,from 8-Apr to 22-Apr,from 13-May to 27-May,from 1-Jul to 2-Sept,from 9-Sept to 28-Oct
Wednesday	06:00 PM	till 20-Mar, on 27-Mar on 3-Apr, from 10-Apr to 30-Oct,on 6-May
Tuesday, Thursday	06:00 PM	from 4-Jun to 5-Sept
Friday	06:00 PM	till 15-Mar, from 22-Mar to 29-Mar, from 5-Apr to 26-Apr, on 3-May, from 10-May to 31-May, from 2-Jun to 8-Sept, from 6-Sept to 25-Oct

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

The following ferries to be available during the 2024 high season (June – August) between Athens and Rhodes:

Day of the week	Hour	Dates
Monday	06:00 PM	from 3-Jun to 17-Jun, from 1-Jul to 2-Sept
Tuesday, Thursday	06:00 PM	from 4-Jun to 5-Sept
Wednesday	06:00 PM	from 10-Apr to 30-Oct
Friday	06:00 PM	from 7-Jun to 30-Aug
Sunday	06:00 PM	from 2-Jun to 8-Sept
Monday	11:30 PM	on 24-Jun
Saturday	11:55 PM	from 8-Jun to 31-Aug

Are there any overnight journeys between Athens and Rhodes?

Yes, there are two overnight ferries.

Where can I buy tickets from?

You can purchase the tickets at most two months before departure (sometimes earlier). You can also get tickets via travel agents but not your local ones. They’ll have to buy via Greek Travel Agents anyway so you are better off contacting the Greek agencies directly.

Your best bet is to buy tickets directly from the port of Piraeus. You don’t need to worry about booking in advance unless you plan to travel right in the middle of the high season (July and August).

The ticketing office is at the Port Gate E1 (exactly where the ferries to Rhodes depart from).

Does everyone charge the same prices?

All research points out the fact that the prices are exactly the same online, at the ticketing office in the port and at travel agents or hotels. But the ticket might be cheaper when you buy directly from the port.

However, when you book online, service fees may apply based on the country you book from. And if you choose to get the tickets delivered via courier, you’ll pay the shipping fee (you can choose to pick them up in the port).

How about the ferries from Rhodes to Athens?

During the 2024 high season, the following ferries are available from Rhodes to Athens:

Day of the week	Hour	Dates
Monday	7:00 AM	on 24-Jun
Saturday	9:00 AM	From 8-Jun to 31-Aug
Monday	4:00 PM	from 3-Jun to 9-Sept
Wednesday, Friday	4:00 PM	from 5-Jun to 6-Sept
Tuesday	5:00 PM	from 4-Jun to 18-Jun, on 25-Jun, from 7-Jul to 3-Sept
Thursday	5:00 PM	from 4-Apr to 31-Oct
Sunday	5:00 PM	from 12-May to 2-Jun, from 9-Jun to 16-Jun, from 30-Jun to 1-Sept

During the 2024 low season, the following ferries are available from Rhodes to Athens:

Day of the week	Hour	Dates
Monday	7:00 AM	on 18-Mar, on 25-Mar, on 6-May
Sunday	11:00 AM	till 25- Feb
Tuesday	3:00 PM	from 6-Feb to 27-Feb, on 4-Apr
Monday	4:00 PM	till 5-Feb, from 12-Feb to 26-Feb, from 3-Jun to 9-Sept
Wednesday	4:00 PM	from 7-Feb to 28-Feb
Wednesday, Friday	4:00 PM	from 5-Jun to 6-Sept
Tuesday	5:00 PM	till 19-Mar, From 26-Mar to 2-Apr, from 9-Apr to 23-Apr, from 7-May to 28-May, from 2-Jul to 3-Sept, from 10-Sept to 29-Oct
Thursday	5:00 PM	till 21-Mar, on 28-Mar, from 11-Apr to 31-Oct
Sunday	5:00 PM	till 10-Mar, on 31-Mar, from 7-Apr to 28-Apr, from 12-May to 2-Jun, from 30-Jun to 1-Sept, from 8-Sept to 27-Oct
Thursday	6:00 PM	till 29-Feb
Friday	6:15 PM	from 9-Feb till 1-Mar

Important note:

The ferry schedule available on line may not be very accurate. This is due to the fact that ferry companies submit their schedule to the Ministry of Merchant Marine weekly so what today is accurate, it might not be next week (let alone next month).

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.

More information

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 Mykonos
>> Ferries from Rafina to Mykonos
>> Ferries from Athens to Santorini
>> Ferries from Athens to Crete
>> Ferries from Athens to Hydra
>> Ferries from Athens to Patmos
>> Ferries from Athens to Karpathos
>>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 Mykonos to Paros (and return)
>> 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 Naxos
>> 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

Notes:
* 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 update was made as of February 2024.
This article includes links that may qualify as affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission.