How to Get to Syros: Ferry, Flight and Island Hops

Most visitors reach Syros the same way: fly into Athens, head to the port of Piraeus, and take a ferry to Ermoupoli, the island's capital. A short domestic flight from Athens is the fast alternative, and a ferry from a neighboring Cycladic island makes sense if you're already hopping around.

How do you get to Syros from Athens?

You can sail or fly. Ferries leave mainly from Piraeus, the main port of Athens. Some also sail from Lavrio, which is close to Athens International Airport, and at certain times of year from Rafina. Flights leave from Athens International Airport (Eleftherios Venizelos) for the small airport on Syros. Either way, the ride is scenic.

The ferry from Piraeus

Ferries to Syros depart from gates E1, E6 and E7 at Piraeus Port, about 6 to 9 miles (10 to 15 km) south of central Athens and roughly 28 miles (45 km) from the airport. A taxi from the airport takes 45 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic. The X96 bus links the airport and the port around the clock.

The crossing takes about 2 to 4 hours, depending on the operator, the vessel and the weather. Seajets runs the fast catamarans, which can make it in about 2 hours. Blue Star Ferries runs the larger, slower conventional ships. Some boats stop at other islands on the way, which stretches the trip but adds a little sightseeing. The Highspeed 3 is listed at 2 hours and 40 minutes, and across all operators the average works out to about 3 hours and 18 minutes. Departures from Lavrio and Rafina tend to be slower, with stops at other Cycladic islands.

Boats run all year, but how often depends on the season. In high season there are several departures a day, with the first boats leaving early in the morning. Fast boats run mainly from April to October, so expect fewer sailings outside those months.

The flight from Athens

The flight takes about 25 minutes in the air and around 35 minutes gate to gate. The plane is small, with about 30 seats, and the airport on Syros is tiny and usually handles only domestic flights. Flights run daily in high season and drop to a few a week in winter. Summer seats go fast, so book early.

Flights from Thessaloniki also reach Syros, in about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Is it better to take the ferry or fly to Syros?

Flying wins on time. The ferry wins on price, room for a car and atmosphere. Plane tickets tend to cost more than boat tickets, which is why most visitors sail.

Count the whole trip, not just the crossing. By ferry, you first need the taxi or X96 ride from the airport to Piraeus, then a crossing of 2 to 4 hours. By air, you connect at the airport where you landed and arrive a short taxi ride from town.

• First trip: take the ferry. You arrive right in the heart of Ermoupoli, and the approach by sea is half the fun.
• Family with luggage: take a conventional ferry. You can bring your car, and there are designated areas for pets. A cabin can be worth it if you land in Athens after a long overnight flight and want a nap before arriving on Syros.
• Tight budget: conventional ferries are the cheaper option, and because they're rarely affected by bad weather, they usually run on time.
• Short on time or queasy at sea: fly. The fast boats are smaller and feel the wind more, so delays are more likely on them than on the big ships.

How do you get to Syros from other islands?

Ferry is the usual way to reach Syros from other Aegean islands. Syros sits in the center of the Cyclades and is the group's administrative capital, so it works as a ferry hub. Boats connect it to Mykonos, Tinos, Paros, Naxos, Ios and Santorini, plus Crete, and from Syros you can sail on to Ikaria, Samos, Sifnos and Kythnos.

The hops from the near neighbors are short. Tinos is about 20 to 50 minutes away. Mykonos takes about 40 minutes by fast ferry or an hour and 20 minutes by regular boat.

Island routes change from year to year, and summer timetables are announced around March. Wait for them before you lock in a tight itinerary.

How do you book ferries to Syros?

Book online ahead of time, or buy at the port or through a local travel agency. Online booking sites let you compare routes, times, operators and prices side by side, and they show connections if you're island hopping. On Syros, Galera Travel can be reached at (+30) 22810-87666 and Teamwork Holidays at (+30) 22810-83400.

When you book, you'll choose a seat or a cabin. Conventional ferries offer deck seats, indoor lounges, snack bars and cabins. High-speed boats have no deck seating, just numbered airplane-style seats.

In high season, from May to mid-September, boats can sell out completely, so book as early as you can.

Bad weather can change ferry itineraries, and transportation strikes in Greece regularly disrupt seaports, airports, taxis and public transportation. Demonstrations can also affect transportation with little notice. Leave some wiggle room in your schedule, and check your ferry or flight again the day before you travel.

How do you get from the port or airport to your hotel?

The ferry docks in the middle of Ermoupoli, so you're already in town. The port has free Wi-Fi and luggage storage, a taxi stand just steps away and the bus station about 165 feet (50 m) away. Cafés, restaurants, shops and car rental agencies line the waterfront, and if you're traveling light you can simply walk to a hotel in town. Carry some cash, since smaller places may not take cards.

If you fly in, note that no bus serves the airport, so take a taxi or pick up a rental car there.

Ermoupoli is flat near the water, then turns steep and stair-filled as it climbs toward Ano Syros, about a half hour uphill on foot or a few minutes by taxi. If you're staying at a beach outside town, plan on a rental car or scooter, a taxi, or the KTEL bus. The KTEL buses connect Ermoupoli with various villages and beaches, and in summer many of them run daily to the main beach resorts. Galissas, a popular beach base, is about 20 minutes from the port by car or taxi, and Kini is a short drive from town.

What do U.S. citizens need to travel to Greece?

U.S. citizens can enter Greece without a visa for up to 90 days for tourism. Your passport should have at least three months of validity beyond your planned departure date, and a passport that has been reported lost or stolen won't get you in. Be ready to show proof of sufficient funds and a return or onward ticket if asked. Carry your passport or another photo ID at all times.

If you plan to drive, Greek law requires a valid U.S. license, and insurance companies may require an international driver’s permit. Motorcyclists must wear a helmet, which applies to scooter riders too. Thieves in Greece target rental cars for passports, valuables and luggage, so keep your passport on you rather than in the car.