How to Get to Aegina: Fly to Athens, Then Take a Boat

Aegina is one of the easiest Greek islands to reach from Athens. You land at Athens International Airport, make your way to the port of Piraeus, and finish with a short boat ride across the Saronic Gulf. Boats sail all year, so the island works as a day trip or as the first stop of a longer stay.

How do you get to Aegina from Athens?

Ferries to Aegina leave from Piraeus, the main ferry port of Athens, which sits about 6 to 9 miles (10 to 15 km) from downtown. The island lies about 17 miles (27 km) from Athens. Think of the crossing as suburban traffic with a sea view rather than a cruise. You walk on, find a seat, and watch the coast slide by.

From central Athens, the Green Line (Line 1) of the metro runs from Monastiraki and Omonia to Piraeus station in about 30 minutes. A taxi or a car also gets you there.

From the airport, about 28 miles (45 km) from the port, you have three choices:

• The X96 bus runs around the clock, which makes it a handy way to connect the airport and the port. Allow 60 to 90 minutes, depending on traffic. Buy your ticket at the small office next to the bus stop and validate it in the orange machine once aboard, because riding with an unvalidated ticket can bring a fine of up to 60 times the fare. Tell the driver you're going to Aegina, and get off when the port appears on your left.
• The suburban railway and the metro also link the airport with Piraeus. The train takes about 63 minutes.
• A taxi, from the queue at Door 3 of the Arrivals level, is usually quicker, sometimes 30 to 45 minutes, but it costs far more than the bus.

Whichever you choose, book flights with some breathing room. Reaching Aegina the same day means getting from the airport to Piraeus and onto a boat, and the trip back to the airport takes just as long. Boat timetables also change with the season.

At Piraeus, head for Gate E8, on the east side of the port and a 5-minute walk from the station. All the Saronic Islands boats leave from here. The slower ferries line up at one end of the quay, the Flying Dolphins and other fast boats at the other. Large signs point the way, yet the boats can be harder to spot than expected after stepping off the metro, so leave a little extra time. Note the route you walked, too, because you'll want to retrace it at the end of the day.

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

You can't fly all the way, because Aegina has no airport. A 15-minute helicopter ride from Athens exists, but most travelers go by boat, so the real choice is usually between two kinds of vessel.

The hydrofoil or high-speed boat

This is the faster option for foot passengers. The Flying Dolphin hydrofoil takes about 40 minutes. The trade-off is comfort: it's a lot less comfortable than a regular ferry, and on board you'll find light snacks and drinks. Hydrofoil tickets can't be bought on board, so get yours at the quay or online before you go.

The conventional ferry

The slower boat is the more comfortable ride, and the open deck is a pleasant place to stand with the wind in your face. It carries cars, motorbikes and campers. If you're running late, the crew will usually let you buy a ticket on board.

Which one for whom

• First trip, light bag: the hydrofoil, the quickest way across.
• Family with bags: the conventional ferry, for its comfort and space to move around.
• Tight budget: the conventional ferry, which generally costs less than the hydrofoil, booked early and outside rush hour.
• Traveling with a car: the conventional ferry, since the hydrofoils don't take vehicles.

How long is the ferry to Aegina?

Plan on about 40 minutes by hydrofoil and an hour to an hour and a half by conventional ferry. The exact time depends on the boat and on which of the island's three harbors you sail to.

Aegina Town, at the northwestern end, is the main port and the one that receives ferries in every month of the year. Souvala is on the north side and Agia Marina on the east, and boats to both are less frequent and run mostly in the high season.

For a day trip, choose Aegina Town. The boat drops you in the center of town, on the west side of the island, with plenty to see within walking distance. Agia Marina is a resort village with less to do on its own, and getting from there to the rest of the island is easiest by car or taxi, though infrequent buses also run.

In summer there are more than 40 daily crossings, and boats run from early morning until late evening, which makes a day trip from Athens very doable.

How do you get to Aegina from other islands?

Aegina has direct boats to Agistri, Poros, Methana, Hydra and Spetses. Agistri is the only island linked to Aegina all year, while the Poros link runs mainly in summer. Boats from Methana, on the Peloponnese, dock at the Aegina Town quay. Sailings from Hydra and Spetses land at Agia Marina, 10 miles (16 km) by road from the town port. From any other island, go back to Piraeus and take the Aegina boat from there.

How do you book ferries to Aegina?

Several companies run the route, including Aegina Ferries, Aegean Flying Dolphins, Hellenic Seaways, Magic Sea Ferries, Remezzo Maritime and Saronic. Plenty of travelers simply show up and buy a ticket for whichever boat leaves next. Booths along the quay sell tickets for the different lines, and if you ask for the next departure at a booth that doesn't sell it, the staff should send you to the right one. The one mistake to avoid is buying a ticket for one line and trying to board another. Check the harbor printed on your ticket as well, since boats call at three different ones.

Booking online is easy and spares you the queues, and early booking often means lower prices. A return ticket may get you a better rate.

Crews tend to hustle passengers aboard, so have your ticket in hand before you reach the gangway.

How do you get from the port to your hotel on Aegina?

Taxis wait in a line just outside the port in Aegina Town. Agree on the fare before you set off. A few hotels pick guests up at the port, so ask about it when you book.

The main bus station sits right next to the port entrance, a 2-minute walk to the right as you step off the ferry pier. Three bus lines run from there to Agia Marina, the Temple of Aphaia, Perdika and Souvala. Tickets are sold at the station and on the bus. Timetables are posted at the station but not at the stops along the routes, and destinations are written in Greek, so confirm the name before climbing on.

The Temple of Aphaia stands on the road to Agia Marina, past the Monastery of Agios Nektarios and just before the village, and the bus stops near it. Buses don't run often, though, so a car, scooter or taxi makes the visit much easier. Rental offices cluster near the harbor in Aegina Town.

What should Americans know before traveling?

The U.S. State Department rates Greece as a generally safe destination, but petty crime is common in tourist spots. Pickpocketing is a particular risk on the metro and at busy ferry terminals, so keep your bag zipped on the ride to Piraeus and on the quay. Strikes in the transportation sector can halt public transit, taxis and seaports, and demonstrations can start with little notice, so check the news the day before you travel. When ferries strike, a water taxi from Piraeus can be arranged.

U.S. citizens may enter Greece without a visa for up to 90 days, and your passport should have at least three months of validity beyond your planned departure date. Thieves in Greece are known to break into rental cars to steal passports, valuables, and luggage, so it's wise to take your belongings with you rather than leave them in a parked car. Anyone riding a motorbike or scooter must wear a helmet. If you rent a car, Greek law requires you to carry a valid U.S. driver's license, and insurance companies may require an international driver’s permit.