Rafina port and harbour seen from above, with ferries at the quay

Rafina Port Guide

Everything for a smooth crossing

Your local guide to Rafina port — ferry schedules, how to get here, parking, tickets and insider tips. We've got you covered from shore to shore.

Ferry ticketsCompare routes & book Airport transferDoor-to-door service Port tipsParking & local advice
Run by Rafina locals Honest local advice Live ferry schedules No booking fees
What is Rafina port? Rafina is Athens' second-largest passenger port, on the east coast of Attica about 25 km (20–30 min) from Athens International Airport — closer than Piraeus. It's the main gateway to the northern Cyclades (Andros, Tinos, Mykonos) plus Naxos, Paros and more, with frequent high-speed and conventional ferries in season.

Why sail from Rafina?

Rafina is Athens' most convenient port for the Cyclades and beyond. Just 25 km from Athens International Airport, it offers frequent high-speed and conventional ferries to Andros, Tinos, Mykonos, Naxos, Paros, Santorini and more.

  • Closer to the airport than Piraeus — saves about an hour and the Athens traffic.
  • Frequent daily departures and high-speed options in season.
  • Compact, walkable port — grab a swim or a meal by the water before you sail.
  • The main gateway to the northern Cyclades — and the only port for Andros.
Aerial view of Rafina port with ferries moored at the quay

Rafina port at a glance

From Athens Airport
~25 km · 20–30 min
From central Athens
~30 km · 35–50 min
Ferry operators
Fast Ferries · Golden Star · SeaJets
Popular islands
Andros, Tinos, Mykonos, Naxos, Paros, Santorini, Marmari
Best for
The Cyclades
Local time
EEST (GMT+3)

Closer to the Cyclades than Piraeus

Rafina sits on Attica’s east coast, a short hop from the Cyclades and minutes from the airport. From Piraeus you sail the long way round the peninsula. See the full Rafina vs Piraeus comparison →

Ferry routes from Rafina and Piraeus to the Cyclades Rafina, on the east coast of Attica near Athens airport, has a short, direct sea route to the Cyclades. Piraeus, southwest of Athens, must sail the long way south around the Attica peninsula. ATTICA AndrosTinosSyrosMykonosParosNaxosIosSantorini Athens Athens Airport 20–30 min PIRAEUS RAFINA ≈ 1 hour faster shorter crossing + skip Athens traffic From Rafina — short & direct From Piraeus — the long way round

Stylised map for orientation; island and port positions are approximate. Sailing times vary by vessel and season — check live times in the ferry search.

Compare schedules and prices from every operator and book in minutes — powered by Ferryhopper.

Search Rafina ferries

All routes, all operators, instant e-tickets.

Best prices · no hidden fees All operators compared Instant e-ticket by email Flexible, easy changes
Or jump straight to a route Andros Tinos Mykonos Naxos Paros Santorini Ios Marmari
Today's live sailings · Rafina → Mykonosbusiest route
Important: always pre-book your ferry tickets Ferry schedules change with the season and popular sailings sell out — especially in July and August. Always check the timetable and book your tickets online before you travel.

See the full outbound & inbound timetable for every ferry from Rafina with our partner Ferryhopper.

Rafina ferry timetable

Getting to Rafina port

Choose the way that suits you best. Prices and times are approximate.

Private transferBest option
From €45 · 20–30 min

Door-to-door comfort with a professional driver. Ideal for groups, families and early ferries.

  • Fixed price, no hidden fees
  • Flight tracking & meet-and-greet
  • 24/7 customer support
Book transfer →
KTEL bus
€2.40 · full fare

The budget option from Athens. KTEL buses leave from Nomismatokopio (Metro Line 3) to Rafina port.

  • First bus ~05:55, last ~22:40
  • Every 20 minutes to 2 hours
  • Pay on board, cash only
Bus timetable →
Taxi
Metered fare · 20–30 min

Available 24/7 from the airport or central Athens. Quick, but the priciest option.

  • Door-to-door, any time
  • Agree the fare or use the meter
  • Great for late arrivals
Compare with transfers →
Drive & park
Paid lots · by the port

Coming by car? Park near the terminals and walk over in minutes.

  • Paid lots beside the port
  • Short walk to the gates
  • Daily & long-stay options
Parking guide →
Rafina PortEast coast of Attica, Greece
Get directions →

No direct train to Rafina. From the airport, take the suburban train to the city centre, then a KTEL bus or taxi to the port.

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Welcome Pickups driver with a private transfer car at the airport

Port essentials

Everything you need to know before you go.

Parking at the port
  • Paid municipal lots within walking distance
  • Arrive early in July & August
  • Look for the "P" signs near the port
  • No free parking on the quay itself
Full parking guide →
Tickets & boarding
  • Arrive about 30–45 minutes early
  • Tickets are checked at the gate
  • Keep your e-ticket handy
  • Boarding opens ~20–30 min before
Search ferries →
Tips before you board
  • Book ahead in high season
  • Sit on the right for the views
  • Bring water & sun protection
  • Cash for kiosks & small buys
Ask a local →

Popular ferry routes from Rafina

Frequent departures to the Cycladic islands and beyond. Tap a route for live times & prices.

Andros town on the hillside above the AegeanAndros1h–1h30m The seafront of Tinos townTinos1h30m–2h The hilltop windmills of MykonosMykonos2h–2h30m The Portara marble gateway on NaxosNaxos3h30m–4h Naoussa harbour on ParosParos2h30m–3h The blue-domed churches of Oia, SantoriniSantorini5h–6h30m The whitewashed Chora of IosIos4h30m–5h30m The coastal village of Marmari on EviaMarmari1h–1h30m See all routesSchedules & prices

Curious which boats run these routes? Meet the Rafina ferry fleet →

Island photos via Wikimedia Commons: Andros (V. Kyrtatas, public domain), Tinos & Paros (Zde), Mykonos (B. Gagnon), Naxos (M. Werner), Santorini (G. Laurent), Ios (C. Messier), Marmari (Jebulon, CC0). CC BY-SA unless noted.

Explore Rafina & around

There's more to Rafina than the ferries — beaches, tavernas and local know-how, all minutes from the port.

Where to EatTavernas & fresh seafood Where to SwimBeaches near the port Local TipsKnow-how from locals DoctorsPharmacies & clinics

Top things to do around Rafina

Day trips, cruises and experiences within easy reach — book ahead in summer.

Rafina on video

A few traveller videos worth a watch before you visit.

A day trip to Rafina
Rafina Port & the airport link
Rafina: Athens' second port

A short history of Rafina

How a quiet fishing village on Attica's east coast became Athens' gateway to the Cyclades.

Antiquity Ancient Araphen

Rafina stands on the site of Araphen (Ἀραφήν), one of the classical demes of Attica — the source of its modern name.

1920s A refuge reborn

After 1922, families displaced from Asia Minor settled here and rebuilt their lives around fishing and the sea.

20th century A working port

As Athens grew, the sheltered bay developed from a fishing village into a busy passenger harbour.

Today Gateway to the Cyclades

Now the second-busiest port in Attica after Piraeus, and the main gateway to the northern Cyclades and Evia.

Rafina weather

Sea conditions shape the crossing — check the current Rafina forecast before you sail.

–°C
Rafina, Greece
Loading the latest forecast…
Feels –°– km/h– humidity
Live forecastData by Open-Meteo · Best time to visit →
Sunset over the sea from a terrace near Rafina
Already in Rafina?

Late arrival or a free evening before your ferry? Find a room by the water and make a night of it.

Where to stay

Rafina port FAQ

Quick answers to the questions we hear most.

Where is Rafina port?
Rafina is on the east coast of Attica, about 25 km east of Athens and roughly 20–40 minutes from Athens International Airport — noticeably closer to the airport than Piraeus.
How do I get from Athens Airport to Rafina?
From the airport, the quickest options are a taxi or a private transfer — about 20–30 minutes door-to-door. There's no direct train. From central Athens, KTEL buses run from Nomismatokopio (Metro Line 3) to Rafina port for €2.40, paid on board (cash). See our transfers guide.
Which islands can I reach from Rafina?
Andros, Tinos, Mykonos, Naxos, Paros, Santorini and Marmari (on Evia), plus onward Cyclades. Rafina is the main gateway to the northern Cyclades — and Andros is reached from Rafina rather than Piraeus.
Is there parking at Rafina port?
There's no free parking on the quay, but there's paid municipal parking within walking distance plus street parking in town. For multi-day trips, use a paid lot rather than the street.
How early should I arrive before my ferry?
Aim for 30–45 minutes before departure, and a little more in July and August. Boarding usually opens 20–30 minutes before sailing.
Which ferry companies sail from Rafina?
Fast Ferries, Golden Star Ferries and SeaJets, using a mix of high-speed and conventional vessels depending on the route and season. Compare them all in the search above.
My ferry arrives at Rafina — will I have time to catch a flight from Athens Airport?
Rafina port is about 20–30 minutes (25 km) from Athens International Airport by taxi or transfer. Ferries can run late, so allow at least 3 hours between your ferry's scheduled arrival and your flight, to clear the port, reach the airport and check in.
How do I find my ferry and which gate at Rafina port?
Rafina is a small, walkable port — much simpler than Piraeus. Your operator (Fast Ferries, Golden Star Ferries, SeaJets or Olympian Ferries) and quay are shown on your ticket and the departure boards, gates are signposted, and staff point you the right way. Be at the gate 20–30 minutes before departure.
Where can I wait or get breakfast at Rafina port?
Several cafés and tavernas wrap around the harbour, plus a bakery, all a short walk from the boats — many open early for the first ferries. The town square is right by the port, and there's a beach nearby if you have time to spare.
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Sunsets over the port, live ferry updates, hidden beaches and the food we can't stop eating — join the community on Instagram & Facebook.

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Rafina town and harbour from above Ferries docked at Rafina port Whitewashed seaside chapel near Rafina A sunny weekend by the sea in Rafina Grilled octopus at a Rafina seaside taverna Golden hour over the Rafina coastline @rafinainfo