Athens (Rafina) - Ios
Ferry to Cyclades Islands
Athens (Rafina) - Ios
Ferry to Cyclades Islands
Fares for the Athens (Rafina) to Ios crossing usually range somewhere between $160* and $749*. Most travellers pay around $337* for a Athens (Rafina) Ios ferry ticket, and the cheapest fares on this route begin at $160*. Foot passengers can expect to pay roughly $336* on average. Bringing a car along typically brings the average fare up to $1008*.
Fares vary according to passenger count, vehicle type, the route itself and what time you sail. Figures come from fares searched in the previous 30 days, don't include service fees, and were last checked September 26.
There's a quick way to stack up ferry fares and operators from around the world side by side, so you can pick the crossing that best suits you. Getting in early tends to open up the widest choice of prices and sailing times.
Direct Ferries has discounts running throughout the year. Where a senior discount applies to your crossing, it's applied the moment you pick the matching age bracket in the passenger section of your search.
If you're a student or recent graduate, a 5% discount is up for grabs. Head to our partner Student Beans to confirm your status and you'll receive a code to enter at checkout.
A handful of Spanish and Italian ferry routes also offer a resident discount — choose the "Residents" option if it appears during your search and the lower fare is applied straight away. You'll usually need to show proof of address, like a residency card or certificate, when you check in.
Athens (Rafina) Ios sailings generally depart at around 07:20.
With a longer crossing time, a trip between Athens (Rafina) and Ios is better suited to a weekend away or an extended stay, so you get proper value out of the journey.
Yes, Golden Star Ferries carries vehicles on the Athens (Rafina) to Ios route. Check our Deal Finder for up-to-date car ferry pricing on this crossing.
Whether a caravan or campervan is welcome on board the Athens (Rafina) to Ios ferry comes down to the ship and operator running the sailing. Pop your travel details into our Deal Finder, and we'll check the operators on this route for you.
Bicycles aren't currently accepted on sailings between Athens (Rafina) and Ios.
Yes, Golden Star Ferries carries foot passengers between Athens (Rafina) and Ios.
Pet owners are in luck — Golden Star Ferries allows pets on board between Athens (Rafina) and Ios. Travelling with a pet on this crossing costs an average of $2032.
Fares reflect searches from the last 30 days, exclude service fees, and were last checked September 26.
Before you bring a pet on board, it helps to have the following sorted:
It depends on which operator you're sailing with — some ferries keep pets in your vehicle for the whole trip, while others have dedicated pet areas, kennels, or even pet-friendly cabins. Our Deal Finder lays out the options so you can pick the crossing that works for your pet.
There's a bit to know before travelling with a guide or assistance dog. Let our customer service team know in advance, or mention it to the ferry operator when you book, so everything's arranged ahead of time.
Carry any certification or documentation your dog needs, since you could be asked to show it at boarding or partway through the crossing.
Rules for guide dogs and assistance dogs can differ from general pet policy, even on sailings where pets aren't otherwise allowed. Reach out to our customer service team to check what applies to your sailing, or visit our Special Assistance Help page for more detail.
Whether the Athens (Rafina) to Ios route has an overnight sailing depends on a mix of factors. Search with your travel dates, and we'll show you whether an overnight option exists, plus current timetables, crossing times and daytime alternatives.
Note that overnight sailings can occasionally take a bit longer than daytime crossings.
What you'll need to travel varies by route, so it pays to check ahead of your sailing. A valid passport is typically required for the Athens (Rafina) to Ios crossing, along with any visa or national ID required for your nationality. As rules depend on both where you're from and where you're headed, our Check-in, Travel Documents & Tickets guide is worth a read to avoid any hold-ups at check-in.
Booking couldn't be simpler — select your departure port, arrival port and travel date to see everything on offer. From there, you can weigh up alternative routes and departure times to land on the best fit.
Look for early-booking deals and flexible fare types, like upgrades or flexi-tickets, which give you room to change plans later. Double-check details such as passenger numbers and vehicle specs as you go, to keep the booking process painless.
You'll get a confirmation email the moment your booking goes through. From there, how your boarding pass turns up depends on the operator.
Some operators send the boarding pass straight away, while others want you to check in at the port. Where it's on offer, online check-in through the Direct Ferries app can save you time at the terminal.
Ticket desks tend to sit right by the ferry terminal. Building in some extra time before you sail means you won't be rushed collecting tickets and getting checked in.
Have your confirmation email and valid photo ID — a passport or identity card — ready at check-in. If a pet's travelling with you, bring their vaccination and insurance papers, and hold onto proof of address if you booked with a resident discount.
A gap in sailings from Athens (Rafina) to Ios on your chosen date usually comes down to something like a timetable adjustment, limited space, or a seasonal dip in service. Try a different date, or browse other options with our Route & Port finder.
Generally speaking, booking your Athens (Rafina) to Ios ferry sooner rather than later pays off — earlier bookings usually mean lower fares and more choice of departure times and cabins.
A few weeks' lead time is usually enough to catch a good deal, though fares can still move around depending on the season and what's left available.
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| Athens (Rafina) - Ios Ferry Route Prices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Foot Passenger | $336 | |
| Average Price with Car | $1008 | |
| Average Cabin Price | $558 | |
| Athens (Rafina) - Ios Ferry Route Summary | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Athens |
| Destination | Cyclades Islands |
| No. of Operators | 1 |
| Operators | Golden Star Ferries |
| Average Price | $337 |
| Average Pet Price | $2032 |
| Average Daily Sailings | 1 |
| Average Weekly Sailings | 6 |
| Average Sailing Duration | 4 h 25 m |
| Fastest Sailing Duration | 4 h 25 m |
| First Ferry | 07:20 |
| Last Ferry | 07:20 |
| Distance | 104 Nautical Miles |
* Prices subject to change, pricing is taken from last 30 days, last updated 1 September 2026.
The Greek town of Rafina lies on the east coast of the Attica region of Greece. The town, and its port, is on the Aegean Sea coast, to the east of the Penteli Mountains and to the north east of the Mesogaia Plain. The Greek capital, Athens, is 25 km to the west of Rafina which is close to the towns of Artemida and Nea Makri. It is a popular destination for Athenians, due to its proximity to Athens, who drive out of the city to Rafina to eat in one of the town's many fish restaurants that line the harbour. It is common to see the day's catch on display on beds of ice outside each restaurant.
Rafina's port is the second largest in the Attica region, after Piraeus, although this is likely to change by the port at Lavrio which is currently being expanded. ferries from Rafina's port depart to the southern part of Euboea and to most of the Cyclades Islands. Both conventional and high speed ferries operate to the islands with most departing Rafina in the morning.
The Greek island of Ios is part of the Cyclades group of islands and lies in the Aegean Sea between the islands of Santorini and Naxos. The island has a popular night economy, lovely beaches and a number of historical monuments which are popular with visitors. The island has been popular with tourists from around the world for many years and is definitely one of the most popular of the Cyclades islands. Chora is a typical Greek village on the island with traditional whitewashed buildings, winding streets and many colourful flowers. However, at night the sleepy village comes alive with many places to socialise.
Around the island there are many beaches with soft white sand just waiting to be explored, all of which are blessed with crystal clear waters. Perhaps the island's most popular beach is Mylopotas which is lined with bars, restaurants and places to hire water sport related equipment, and is over 1 km long. However, if you require a more secluded beach experience then Valmas or Kolitsani beaches are a good choice.
