Ferries in Greece are the primary means of transport between the islands and from the mainland to the islands.

The ferry trip to some islands is over-night, so you’ll be in a floating hotel. On high-speed ferries you’ll sometimes feel like you are on a high speed train (unless there’s wind).

Generally speaking, traveling by ferry is also scenic, especially when you plan to visit islands such as Santorini.

The cheapest way to travel is on the deck, which nowadays goes by the name of “economy” (you won’t literally stay “on the deck” as there are lounges where you can hang out). Airplane type of seats and cabins are also available.

The high-speed ferries only have seats inside. And the entire experience feels much like boarding a plane, listening to the safety instructions, and all.

>>Read more: Traveling by High-Speed Ferry in Greece

When should I book the ferry ticket?

In general, you don’t need to book in advance unless you travel on the following days:

• Thursday and Friday before Easter
• the Friday of Agios Pnevmatos (40 days after Easter)
• last weekend of July (from Thursday on ) and the first week of August
• Thursday and Friday before August 15
• last week of August

Why? Because these are days connected to important religious holidays when the locals get time off and head to the islands or to holy places.

So, simply put, should you plan to travel around Easter or during the peak travel season – July and August – make sure to book the ferry tickets in advance.

However, it’s not a bad idea to book your ticket slightly in advance no matter when you travel. Sometimes availability is released late (2-3 months in advance), sometimes you can book pretty far in advance. As a rule of thumb, about 6 months prior to your travel dates, make sure to check if you can already book the ferry ticket.

Do note that the ferry ticket is not an e-ticket. So it’s enough to have a digital proof. You’ll have to get your tickets delivered to you or you can pick them up from the port.

Use the below widget to search for and book your ferry ticket in Greece:

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