Greece

How to get from Naxos to Ios

Compare all transport options: bus, ferry, train, flight. Prices, durations and practical tips.

⏱
FASTEST
7h
💶
From
23€
📍
Distance
43 km
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⚡ Quick answer

Checked offer from Naxos to Ios: Ferry, about 7h, from €23. Main companies selling this route on 12Go (checked on November 4, 2026): Blue Star Ferries; main departure point: Naxos Port.

Distance: 43 km. Data updated on .

One option to get from Naxos to Ios

Select an option below to see the route details and compare prices. Secure booking via our partner 12go.asia.

Ferry
7h
23 – 24 €
View
🚌 Departure from Naxos
📍Ferries leave from the main port of Naxos, beside Naxos Town (Chora), with the Portara gate visible nearby. The quayside has cafés, ticket offices and shops for supplies. Check your booking for the departure details of your sailing.
🚇The port is an easy walk from the centre of Naxos Town, which is handy with a backpack. From beaches or hotels further out, you can take a local bus or a taxi. Leave a margin for luggage and queues.
⏰Departures vary by season and by day of the week, with more sailings in summer. Check the current timetable on this page, and arrive at the port well before boarding.
💸 Transport from 23€ per person
⚡ Fastest: 7h
🗓 Book now Secure payment · via 12go.asia

Companies selling this route on 12Go

Offers listed on 12Go on November 4, 2026 for a departure on November 25, 2026. Timetables and prices change with the date: check them before booking.

CompanyModeDeparts fromFromOffers
Blue Star Ferries Ferry Naxos Port €23 1
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Practical tips

💡
Book early for summer sailings

In July and August, popular Cyclades sailings can sell out, especially at weekends. Once your dates are fixed, book online straight away. Instant confirmation lets you plan hotels in Ios around a ticket you actually hold.

💡
Check the days the boat runs

Some island-to-island links only operate on certain days of the week, and the schedule shifts between seasons. Check your exact date before booking accommodation, so you don't end up stuck on Naxos waiting for the next boat.

💡
Keep a buffer before flights

Strong winds can delay or cancel crossings in the Aegean. If you have a flight or a long onward trip afterwards, don't schedule it for the same day as your ferry. A spare day protects your plans and your nerves.

💡
Know your Athens port

If your trip continues from the islands back to Athens, check which port your ticket names: Piraeus, Rafina or Lavrio. They are in different places, and going to the wrong one can mean missing the boat. Confirm it before you leave.

💡
Watch the wind and sea

Wind affects fast catamarans more than conventional ferries. On a windy day, check your sailing status the evening before and again in the morning. Arrive at the port in good time, with your ticket and ID ready.

The journey experience

Going from Naxos to Ios is a classic Cyclades hop, and on this route the ferry is the option to plan around. You don't need to weigh up coach, train and flight here: it is a sea crossing between two islands, so the real question is which sailing suits your day. The table on this page shows current durations and price ranges side by side.

The ferry is the straightforward choice for independent travellers. You can walk the deck, sit inside if the sea is rough, keep your luggage with you and step off right at the port of Ios. Conventional ferries are generally the most economical and stable way to cross the Cyclades, even if they are slower than catamarans. Bring snacks, a charger and a warm layer for the deck.

Greek timetables change with the season, and some island links only run on certain days of the week, so check your exact date before locking in the rest of your itinerary. Book ahead in high season, keep a buffer day before any flight or onward connection, and allow for wind-related delays. Booking online gives instant confirmation and takes the guesswork out of which sailing is actually running.

Frequently asked questions — Naxos → Ios

Why visit Ios?

  • ✓ Relax on Mylopotas Beach, a long golden sandy stretch with beach bars and water sports
  • ✓ Climb to Panagia Gremiotissa and Chora's hilltop windmills for sunset views over the Cyclades
  • ✓ Party in Chora's lively square, where bars and clubs stay open until dawn
  • ✓ Take a boat trip to the secluded beaches of Manganari on the island's south coast
  • ✓ Visit the legendary Homer's Tomb at Plakotos and hike the Psathi and Agia Theodoti trails
🌙
Recommended stay
2 to 4 nights — compact island, enough time for beaches, Chora and a boat trip

When to visit Ios?

MEDITERRANEAN CLIMATE

June to mid-September — hot, dry and sunny weather, calm seas, with the liveliest nightlife in July and August

Jan 😞
Feb 😞
Mar 😞
Apr 😐
May 😊
Jun 😊
Jul 😐
Aug 😐
Sep 😊
Oct 😊
Nov 😞
Dec 😞
📍
In Ios — Plan your stay
Accommodation, activities and tips selected for you
🏨 Accommodation
Hotels in Ios
Compare the best rates available
via trip.com

What to do in Ios?

Local experiences, must-see sights and activities selected for you

MUST-SEE
🌅
Chora Village at Sunset
Wander Chora's whitewashed lanes, chapels and windmill-dotted hilltop, then settle on the Panagia Gremiotissa terrace for sunset. Arrive around 6pm in summer to grab a spot. Lanes are car-free and lit at night; wear grippy shoes, as the marble steps get slippery.
🏖️
Mylopotas Beach Day
Ios's longest sandy beach, about 2 km of golden sand with calm, clear water. Take the frequent bus from Chora (around 2€) or walk 25 minutes downhill. Sunbed and umbrella sets start around 10€; go early in July-August. Beach bars, watersports and tavernas line the shore.
🏛️
Homer's Tomb Hike
Local tradition places the poet Homer's tomb on a hill in northern Ios, near Plakoto. The site is a modest stone structure, but the views over the Aegean are superb. Go by scooter or taxi, then walk the final stretch. Bring water and visit in the morning to avoid the heat.
🌊
Manganari Bay Swim
A sheltered southern bay with three sandy coves and turquoise water, the best swimming on the island. In summer, boats leave Ormos port (around 10-15€ return); by road it is a winding 30-minute drive. Bring snacks, as options are limited, and check the meltemi wind forecast before going.
🛕
Panagia Gremiotissa Church
This blue-domed church crowns the cliff above Chora and is reached by a steep stairway of about 100 steps. Its icon-filled interior is modest and free to enter when open. Visit in the morning for soft light and few people, and cover shoulders and knees out of respect.
🧀
Local Tavernas in Chora
Try Ios specialities such as spanakopita, local cheeses like xynomyzithra, grilled octopus and fresh fish in the small tavernas tucked behind the main square. Mains run about 10-18€. Eat before 9pm for a calmer atmosphere, as the village turns lively later at night.
🏺
Skarkos Neolithic Settlement
One of the best-preserved prehistoric Cycladic settlements, dating to around 3000 BC, on a hill above Ormos port. Walls stand up to two metres high. Check opening hours locally as they are limited, and admission is usually a few euros. Bring a hat, as there is no shade.
⛰️
Agia Theodoti Hidden Beach
A quiet bay on the northeast coast, far from the party crowds, with soft sand and a small taverna. Reach it by scooter in about 25 minutes on a partly unpaved road. Visit on a weekday, and note that an annual panigiri festival is held at the nearby chapel in early September.

How long to visit Ios?

3 to 5 days

Plan 3 to 5 days on Ios. With 3 days, you can cover Chora, Mylopotas beach, and a boat trip or a hike to Homer's Tomb. With 5 days, add Manganari and Agia Theodoti beaches and a few quieter coves. Rent a quad or a car for the south, and book accommodation early in July and August, when the island is packed and nightlife dominates.

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