Greece

How to get from Rafina (Athens port) to Andros

Q: How much does the ferry from Rafina to Andros cost?

Ferry tickets from Rafina to Andros start from €20, and a typical fare goes up to about €27. The exact price depends on the date, the seat type and whether you travel with a vehicle. Booking early in high season helps you secure the fare you want.

Q: How long is the crossing from Rafina to Andros?

The ferry crossing from Rafina to Andros takes about 2 hours, typically between 1 h 55 and 2 h. Sea and wind conditions can occasionally affect this, so it is wise to keep a little slack in your plans if you have an onward connection.

Q: What is the best way to get from Athens to Andros?

The ferry from Rafina is the way to go. It is simple, comfortable and takes you straight to the island, with indoor seating and outdoor decks. Rafina is the port for Andros, so you do not need to head to Piraeus. Book online for instant confirmation.

Q: Which port does the ferry to Andros leave from?

The ferry to Andros leaves from Rafina, the port on the east coast of Attica, not from Piraeus or Lavrio. Make sure your ticket shows Rafina as the departure port before you head out, so you arrive at the right terminal in good time.

Q: Is there a direct ferry to Andros or do I need to change?

The Rafina to Andros ferry is a direct crossing, so you do not need to change boats. You board at Rafina and disembark on the island. Check the timetable for your date when booking, since sailings vary with the season.

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

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FASTEST

1h 55min

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From

20€

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Distance

66 km

⚡ Quick answer

Checked offer from Rafina (Athens port) to Andros: Ferry, about 1h 55min, from €20. Main companies selling this route on 12Go (checked on November 4, 2026): Golden Star Ferries, SeaJets, Seajets; main departure point: Rafina Port.

Distance: 66 km. Data updated on November 4, 2026.

One option to get from Rafina (Athens port) to Andros

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

🚌 Departure from Rafina (Athens port)

📍Ferries to Andros leave from Rafina port, on the east coast of Attica. The port has ticket offices, cafés and bakeries near the quay. Arrive in good time to find your boat and board without rushing, especially in summer.

🚇From central Athens, KTEL coaches run to Rafina from the Pedion Areos bus station, and a taxi or pre-booked transfer is a handy alternative, especially with luggage or for early sailings. Allow generous time for traffic.

⏰Sailings usually run daily, with more departures in summer and fewer in winter. Exact times change by season and day of the week, so check the timetable for your date.

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.

Company	Mode	Departs from	From	Offers
SeaJets	Ferry	Rafina Port	€20	1
Seajets	Ferry	Rafina Port	€20	1
Golden Star Ferries	Ferry	Rafina Port	€26	2
Fast Ferries	Ferry	Rafina Port	€26	1
Cyclades Fast Ferries	Ferry	Rafina Port	€57	1

See all offers on 12Go

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Practical tips

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Rafina, not Piraeus

Ferries to Andros leave from Rafina on the east coast of Attica. Piraeus and Lavrio serve other routes. Check the departure port printed on your ticket before you leave your accommodation to avoid a costly detour.

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Book early for summer weekends

Friday evenings, Sunday returns and August holidays fill up fast as Athenians head to Andros. Book online well ahead in high season, especially if you are travelling with luggage or need a fixed return.

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Check the timetable for your date

Ferry schedules shift between winter, shoulder season and summer. Do not rely on last year's times: confirm the sailing for your exact date when booking, and re-check a day or two before you travel.

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Allow slack around flights

Strong winds can delay or cancel sailings. If you have an international flight out of Athens, avoid taking the last boat back on the same day and keep a buffer night in the capital.

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Plan how you get around Andros

You arrive at Gavrio, and the island is hilly and spread out. Check local bus or taxi options before you arrive, or arrange a transfer to your village, since services can be limited outside high season.

The journey experience

Getting from Athens to Andros is one of the simplest island trips you can make, and the answer to "ferry, coach, train or flight?" is easy: you take the ferry. Andros is the closest Cyclades island to the capital, and the crossing leaves from Rafina, the port on the east coast of Attica, not from Piraeus. That single detail is the one most travellers get wrong.

The ferry is a conventional, comfortable crossing with indoor lounges, a café-bar and open decks where you can watch the Aegean open up ahead of you. You arrive at Gavrio, on the western side of Andros, which is the island's main ferry port. Because the route is short, it works well for a weekend or as a gentle first stop before continuing to Tinos or Mykonos. Check the page's table for current durations and price ranges side by side.

My honest advice: confirm the departure port on your ticket before leaving Athens, check the timetable for your exact date because schedules change with the season, and book ahead on summer weekends and around Greek holidays, when Athenians head to the island. Wind can occasionally affect sailings, so keep some slack in your plan if you have a flight to catch. Book online for instant confirmation and travel with an e-ticket on your phone.

Frequently asked questions — Rafina (Athens port) → Andros

How much does the ferry from Rafina to Andros cost? +

How long is the crossing from Rafina to Andros? +

What is the best way to get from Athens to Andros? +

Which port does the ferry to Andros leave from? +

Is there a direct ferry to Andros or do I need to change? +

Why visit Andros?

✓ Hike the Andros Route, a waymarked network of trails linking stone villages, Venetian towers and hidden valleys
✓ Visit the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Goulandris Museum in Chora, home to major Greek and international works
✓ Swim at Achla, Vitali or Delavoyas, wide beaches with clear water and few crowds
✓ Explore Chora's marble-paved lanes and the ruined Venetian fort on its rocky promontory
✓ Discover Menites' springs and Pitrofos waterfall, plus the lush green villages of the interior

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Recommended stay

2 to 4 nights — enough for Chora, a couple of beaches and one hike

When to visit Andros?

MEDITERRANEAN CLIMATE, WINDY

May to early October — warm, sunny weather ideal for hiking and swimming, with strong summer meltemi winds

Jan 😞

Feb 😞

Mar 😞

Apr 😐

May 😊

Jun 😊

Jul 😐

Aug 😐

Sep 😊

Oct 😊

Nov 😐

Dec 😞

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In Andros — Plan your stay

Accommodation, activities and tips selected for you

What to do in Andros?

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

MUST-SEE

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Chora and Its Marble Streets

Andros's capital sits on a rocky peninsula with Venetian ruins at its tip and neoclassical mansions along marble-paved lanes. Walk Nikolaou Nikolaidi street, then reach the Venetian fort and the Tourlitis lighthouse islet view. Go early morning or at sunset to avoid the heat and the crowds.

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Museum of Contemporary Art

Founded by the Goulandris family, this museum in Chora hosts rotating exhibitions of major Greek and international artists, with sculptures in the garden. Entry is usually around 7€, with reduced rates for students. Check the opening calendar before going, as it is mostly open in summer and closed on Tuesdays.

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Archaeological Museum of Andros

Housing finds from Zagora and the famous Hermes of Andros, a Roman copy of a Praxitelean work, this museum offers a compact overview of island history. Allow about one hour. Entry is around 5€. It is a good rainy-day option and sits right on the main street of Chora.

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Andros Route Hiking Trails

Andros has over 100 km of waymarked trails, part of the Andros Route certified by Leading Quality Trails. Start with the Paleopolis to Ateni or Korthi circular sections. Bring 2 litres of water, sturdy shoes and a downloaded map. Spring and autumn are ideal; summer midday heat is punishing.

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Achla and Vitali Beaches

Achla is a long sandy beach on the west coast, popular for swimming and sunsets; Vitali is a quieter pebble cove reached by a dirt road. Both lack facilities, so bring water and shade. Meltemi winds can be strong in July and August, so check the wind direction first.

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Local Taverna Feast in Batsi

Batsi's harbor tavernas serve fresh fish, kalitsounia pies and local cheese such as volaki. Expect a shared meal for two to cost around 30-40€. Book ahead in August, and ask for the daily catch, which is usually priced by weight, so confirm before ordering.

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Zagora Archaeological Site

A remarkable Geometric-period settlement on a sea-battered plateau, dating from the 9th century BC and abandoned around 700 BC. Access is by a rough road and then a short walk. Visit late afternoon for the light, bring a hat and windbreaker, and expect almost nobody else there.

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Pythara Waterfalls and Mill Walk

Near Menites and the Sariza spring, small waterfalls and old stone mills lie along shaded paths among plane trees. The setting is lush even in summer. Taste the spring water at the Sariza fountain, which supplies bottled water across Greece, and bring bug spray for the evening.

How long to visit Andros?

2 to 5 days

Allow 4 to 5 days to enjoy Andros properly. With 2 days, stick to Chora, the Museum of Contemporary Art and one or two beaches like Batsi or Paraporti. With 4 to 5 days, add hiking on the Andros Route (well-marked footpaths), the villages of Menites and Apikia, and the beaches of Vitali and Achla. Rent a car on arrival: distances are long, roads are winding and buses are infrequent, especially outside summer.