Milos to Athens: Ferry or Fly-What You Need to Know

Getting to Milos, Greece: Should you fly or take the ferry? Both options have their perks. But the short answer is that if you don’t have any interest in visiting Athens, I would fly directly to Milos.

Flying into Athens to then take the ferry to Milos really doesn’t make much logistical sense, even if the flight costs more than the ferry.

But assuming you do want to visit Athens, which I highly recommend, then you should take the ferry from Athens to get to Milos.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know for a smooth ferry ride.

How Long Is The Ferry Between Milos and the Piraeus Port?

The high-speed Sea Jets Tera Jet ferry usually takes around 3 hours and 20 minutes, so you’ll want to plan accordingly when booking your tickets.

My best tip for anyone making a ferry trip before a flight from Athens Airport is to book an Airport transfer to pick you up at the Piraeus ferry terminal and leave plenty of time to get to the airport.

I was unprepared for the chaos of people trying to get a taxi and the traffic that followed when arriving at the port of Piraeus.

If it is all possible, just stay an extra night in Athens city center.

When Should You Book Ferry Tickets?

While the ferry selling out is unlikely, it isn’t worth waiting until the last minute to find out. Book your tickets 2 to 3 months out, especially if your travel dates are in July and August.

The ferry route can be quite busy, so ensuring you get the best price and don’t miss out on a ticket is essential.

When booking your ferry tickets, I always use Ferry Hopper.

Prices don’t vary much between ferry companies, but ferry ticket prices do vary in the summer depending on whether your ferry is a direct route.

The most desirable ferry timetables are the ones that are booked in advance, and if you want cheap ferry tickets, I suggest you don’t wait.

Are the Ferry Tickets to Milos Expensive?

Traveling to Milos is getting more expensive year after year. Prices do change often so it will be hard to give you a concrete answer, but the ferry tickets from Athens Piraeus to Milos are €78.50, one way in 2024.

This price will vary if you are traveling from other islands, but from my experience, this is the price I paid when booking.

I recommend you opt for e-tickets when offered. Ticket pickets year-round seem to be around the same price, but I can’t always be sure they won’t get more expensive in summer.

Since high-speed ferries are the best way to reach Milos from Athens Piraeus, I would urge you to book now.

Boarding Requirements & On-Board Ferry Info

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Check-in Requirements for Milos to Piraeus

• Before boarding to Athens, there are a few things that you’ll need to do first. Have your documents ready as the ferry board quickly and efficiently.
• Have your passport and ticket handy either on your phone or a paper copy so that it can be scanned.

On-Board Ferry Experience

• Once you’ve checked in, you can proceed to board the ferry. Depending on the size of the ferry and the type of vessel you are on, storing your luggage will either be below the seating deck or up above in the luggage cubbies.
• On the larger ferries, you will store your luggage in the racks that are below the main seating decks.
• If you are leaving your luggage down below deck I would take out very valuable items and carry them with you.

I have personally never had an issue, but you can never be too careful.

Onboard Amenities

• The ferry to Milos is equipped with a variety of onboard amenities that make your journey enjoyable.

• Your seat will already be assigned and visible on your ferry ticket. No matter which ferry company you choose, the ferry will have air conditioning in the cabin area, as well as bars and restaurants where you can relax.

• There are different ferry classes, such as business class if you want to pay a little more for things like a reclining seat.

• I typically get the basic ferry ticket as I like to roam around and if possible head to the upper deck.

Some ferries may also offer Wi-Fi, so you can stay connected during your journey for 3 euros.

I didn’t find the Wifi to be all that great onboard, but if you are on a high-speed ferry, chances are your journey isn’t that long and you can stand to be unplugged for a little while.

How Far is Milos from Athens? Is Ferry or Flight Faster?

If you would rather fly, there is a small domestic airport in Milos. If you measure it straight through the air, Milos is typically about 190 miles (or 300 kilometers) away from Athens.

Traveling by air would be recommended if you plan to skip Athens altogether.

If you visit Athens, then I recommend you take a ferry to Milos. The total travel time it will take you to get to the Athens airport from the city center, and then fly will be much longer than just taking the ferry from Piraeus.

Even if a domestic direct flight to Milos appears to be the cheapest way to get there it is still a good idea to take the ferry so that you don’t lose time on the island.

When is the Best Time to Travel From Milos to Athens?

The summer season starts in May and ends by October 1st. This is true for many other Greek islands in the Western Cyclades.

Most islands are not open year-round. So it’s only worth visiting Milos in the summer months.

The islands of Crete and Rhodes are good islands to visit if your only option to visit Greece is in the winter. Just be warned that winter is the wet season in the Greek islands.

My preference would be to experience the islands during peak season. However, visiting the Greek capital city of Athens is a great place to visit in November. I made a trip to Athens this past year in November and loved it!

Is Milos Good for Island Hopping?

Milos is a great place to explore if you are looking for unique island-hopping experiences. The immediate area has a variety of islands that can offer visitors an incredible experience.

You can take a day trip or overnight trip to nearby islands such as Kimolos, Polyaigos, and Sifnos. Each island has something special to offer, including whitewashed villages, amazing beaches, and traditional Greek culture.

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