Planning Greek Island Hopping Trips:
When should I book my greek island hopping trip?
First off, have an idea of the area of greece you would like to visit, for example I have always wanted to visit Paros, Naxos, Milos and Sifnos which are all fairly close together. Have this route in you mind when thinking when booking flights. See further down this FAQ for tips to pick islands / best routes.
Book flights fit - pick an area that has a popular airport and ferry port with good connections, for example Heraklion in Crete, Santorini or Athens. We got a flight into Crete and there were regular ferries to choose from from this port.
Book accommodation second - ideally around January as this is when Ferries release their itineraries. I had an idea of the islands i wanted to visit prior to Christmas, but then couldnt book accommodation as I wasnt sure of the ferry itinerary. The prices are cheaper in January vs booking closer to your travel date (in my experience).
Book ferries closer to the time of travel. We even booked the day before the ferry was due to leave, however this was in May/ Early June so there was less concern they would be booked up in comparison to peak season.
How long should i visit?
It all depends on how many islands you want to visit, personally I felt like 5 nights in each island was perfect as I dont want to feel rushed to see everything quickly, if you were renting a car 3 days could be more appropriate. Our trip was 3 weeks, 4 islands, 5 nights in each island, and I thought that was the perfect amount of time on each island, I hate feeling rushed on holiday, and feeling like youre constantly packing and unpacking.
How much spending money should I bring?
We travelled for three weeks as two people, and this is what we actually spent. On card, we spent £1,394, which works out to about €1,621, and we also took €400 in cash for things like taxis, buses, and tips. Split between the two of us, that’s about £869 each, or €1,010 per person. When you break it down per day, it comes to around £41.50 per person, or about €48 a day.Based on a 3 week trip for 2 people we spent 400 euros in cash for taxis, buses, tips then on card we paid £1394 and average daily spend was £66.
How much did you spend on accommodation and ferries?
Chania, Crete (Arrival)
We started our trip by flying into Chania, Crete, paying £70 (around €82) each for our flights. We spent four nights in Chania Old Town at Aoria Estate Old Port, which worked out at £137.50 per person, or about €161. From there, we took the bus to Heraklion for €16 (roughly £14).
Heraklion, Crete
In Heraklion, we stayed one night at Artree Suites, costing £38.50 per person (about €45). The next day, we took the Blue Star ferry to Naxos, which cost €99 per person, or around £84.
Naxos Trip
We stayed in Naxos for five nights at Naxian Memories, paying £109.50 per person (approximately €128). From Naxos, we continued island-hopping with a ferry via Paros to Sifnos, which cost €100 per person, or about £85.
Sifnos Trip
On Sifnos, we stayed five nights at Agnanti Hotel, with accommodation coming to £190.50 per person (around €223). We then took the ferry to Milos for €25 per person, roughly £21.
Milos Trip
In Milos, we spent five nights at Asterias Boutique Hotel, costing £154.50 per person (about €181). After that, we travelled back to Crete, taking the ferry from Milos to Heraklion for €99 per person (around £84), followed by the bus back to Chania åor another €16 (£14).
Chania, Crete (Return)
We finished the trip with four more nights in Chania at Quaila Slow Life Hotel, which cost £150 per person, or about €176, before flying home for another £70 (€82) each.
Total Cost Per Person
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Flights: £140 (€164)
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Accommodation: £780.50 (€914)
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Public transport & ferries: £303 (approximately €355)
Which islands should I visit?
This all depends on what your idea of a good time is. Some people love Santorini but for me this sounds expensive and busy. I am 34 years old, travel as a couple and our idea of heaven is people watching in a Bar or Taverna or sunset views, rather than crowds and nightclubbing.
Party Islands
Ios
Mykonos
Zakynthos
Bouje Islands
Santorini
Paros
Mykonos
For Couples
Naxos
Skiathos
Rhodes (Lindos)
Crete
Kos
Girls Trips
Milos
Paros
Skiathos
Mykonos
Small and Authentic
Sifnos
Symi
Folegandros
Best Routes for Ferry Hopping
Ionian Islands
These islands are located off the west coast of mainland Greece and are best known for their turquoise blue waters and beaches. The Ionian Islands are much greener than southern island groups such as the Cyclades and are best visited during the summer months, as visiting outside of peak season comes with a higher risk of bad weather and rain.
The most popular Ionian Islands include Corfu and Kefalonia, both offering stunning beaches and clear waters. Ferry connections do exist between some of the islands, although island hopping here can require a little more planning than in other regions.
Popular ferry routes include:
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Corfu → Paxos
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Kefalonia → Zakynthos
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Lefkada → Kefalonia
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Corfu → Igoumenitsa (mainland connection)
Sporades
The Sporades Islands are located just off the north-west mainland of Greece and are accessible either by flying into Skiathos or by ferry from Volos on the mainland.
These islands offer a perfect mix of beautiful turquoise beaches, old towns with classic whitewashed buildings, and painted stone floors. Skiathos is an island I would recommend to those visiting Greece for the first time. Although it has increased in popularity over the years due to Mamma Mia, with tour companies even organising excursions to iconic filming locations, it still has a really enjoyable atmosphere.
I love visiting the Sporades and have been to Skiathos, Skopelos, and Alonissos, all of which offer something slightly different.
Popular ferry routes include:
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Volos → Skiathos → Skopelos → Alonissos
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Agios Konstantinos → Skiathos
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Thessaloniki → Skiathos (seasonal)
Cyclades
The Cyclades are one of the most popular island-hopping routes in Greece, but they are also often the busiest. The whitewashed villages, blue churches, and sunsets of the Cyclades really are something special.
The region is made up of 56 islands, of which only 24 are inhabited, so there are plenty of options to choose from. My personal favourites are Sifnos and Naxos, as they are more traditional and offer a similar appeal to Santorini and Mykonos, but are far less expensive and much less crowded.
That being said, I have never visited Santorini or Mykonos, simply because I don’t enjoy extremely busy crowds and, ethically, I don’t want to contribute to the overtourism of these islands. Of course, that’s just my personal view. I completely understand why people choose to visit them, as they really do look incredibly beautiful.
There are so many different combinations of islands to visit, but some of the smaller islands require a bit more research into ferry timetables. The more popular ports tend to have more frequent ferry routes operated by a wider range of ferry companies.
Popular ferry routes include:
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Athens → Mykonos → Santorini → Paros
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Crete (Heraklion) → Naxos → Sifnos → Milos
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Athens → Tinos → Andros → Syros
Dodecanese
The Dodecanese Islands are scattered just off the coast of Turkey and Crete and can get extremely hot in summer — I’ve visited when temperatures have gone above 40 degrees, so they’re ideal if you love heat. The group is made up of 12 islands, and I’ve personally visited Kos, Rhodes, Symi, and Nisyros.
These islands offer something for everyone: a mix of volcanic sites, beautiful beaches, and medieval castles. Each island has its own character, and the Dodecanese feel distinct from other groups like the Cyclades or Ionian Islands.
I’ve been to Rhodes twice, and both times we stayed in Lindos, which completely stole my heart. It can get busy in peak season, but as Rhodes is a southern island, it’s perfect to visit in the shoulder seasons of May, June, and September — still warm but without the peak-season crush.
I’ve also visited Kos countless times — probably around five or six. I went a handful of times with my dad as a teenager, and more recently returned with my partner about three times over the last five years. It’s one of those islands I never tire of.
Popular Dodecanese ferry routes include:
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Rhodes → Symi (a very scenic hop)
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Kos → Nisyros (one of the easiest volcanic island trips)
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Kos → Patmos (great if you want a quieter vibe)
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Rhodes → Kos (classic connection between two of the bigger islands)
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Rhodes → Tilos → Nisyros (for those wanting a slightly deeper island-hopping route)
Routes tend to be more seasonal and less frequent than in the Cyclades, so a bit of research into timetables is worth it — especially for the smaller islands.
Crete
Crete is the most southern Greek island and also the largest. Unlike the smaller islands, it’s difficult to see all of Crete in one trip, particularly if you aren’t renting a car. The island has a strong Venetian influence, especially in its architecture, which is noticeably different from the classic whitewashed buildings you find on many other Greek islands. This is one of the reasons I love Greece — no one island is the same; each has its own style and vibe.
Crete is perfect for those who love history, with lots of Minoan ruins and ancient sites, and for people who enjoy hiking and nature.
The most popular areas to visit are Chania, Rethymno, and Heraklion, with Malia being well known for its nightlife. There are two main airports — Heraklion and Chania. I’ve visited both, and personally I prefer Chania, both the airport and the surrounding area. However, Heraklion is the best port to visit if you’re using Crete as a starting point for a Greek island-hopping trip, as Chania’s port has fewer ferry connections.
Popular ferry routes from Crete include:
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Heraklion → Santorini (one of the most iconic sea journeys)
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Heraklion → Naxos (great if you’re heading into the Cyclades)
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Heraklion → Paros (another solid Cyclades connection)
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Chania → Piraeus (Athens) (perfect for mainland transfers)
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Chania → Santorini (seasonal, but very useful when available)
What was your itinerary?
This trip was a combination of Crete and the Cyclades and felt like a really good balance between seeing a lot and still travelling at a comfortable pace. We moved around quite a bit, but nothing ever felt too rushed, and each stop gave us a slightly different experience.
We began the trip by flying into Chania, Crete, with flights costing £70 per person. Chania was the perfect place to start, and we stayed there for four nights at Aoria Estate Old Port, right in the heart of Chania Old Town. Being so central made it easy to explore on foot, spend long evenings wandering the narrow streets, and eat our way through the old town. Our accommodation here cost £137.50 per person.
From Chania, we travelled across the island by bus to Heraklion. The journey was straightforward and cost €16 per person. We stayed in Heraklion for just one night at Artree Suites, mainly to break up the journey and make the early ferry the next morning more manageable. This stop felt practical rather than leisurely, but it worked well. Accommodation in Heraklion came to £38.50 per person.
The following day, we took the Blue Star ferry from Heraklion to Naxos, which cost €99 per person. Arriving in Naxos felt like a real shift in pace. We stayed for five nights at Naxian Memories, which gave us plenty of time to explore different parts of the island without feeling like we were constantly on the move. Our accommodation in Naxos cost £109.50 per person.
After Naxos, we continued island hopping and took a ferry to Sifnos, travelling via Paros. This was an easy and relatively quick journey, and the ferry cost €100 per person. Sifnos ended up being one of the most relaxing parts of the trip. We stayed there for five nights at Agnanti Hotel, and the slower pace was a welcome contrast after a few busier travel days. Accommodation in Sifnos cost £190.50 per person.
From Sifnos, we took the ferry onwards to Milos, which cost €25 per person. We spent five nights in Milos, staying at Asterias Boutique Hotel. Milos was all about beaches, swimming, and taking things at an easy pace, and it felt like the perfect island for switching off a little. Our accommodation here cost £154.50 per person.
After Milos, we headed back to Crete, taking the ferry from Milos to Heraklion for €99 per person, and then the bus back to Chania for another €16. We finished the trip with four more nights in Chania, this time staying at Quaila Slow Life Hotel. Ending the trip back where we started felt surprisingly fitting, and Chania was a really lovely place to slow down before heading home. This final stay cost £150 per person.
We flew home from Chania for £70 per person, bringing the total cost of flights to £140. Accommodation across the entire trip came to £780.50 per person, while public transport and ferries totalled £303 per person.
Looking back, this itinerary felt like a great mix of cities, islands, and slower stays, and I wouldn’t change much about the pacing. If anything, it confirmed that allowing enough time in each place makes all the difference.
What do i need to know before travelling by ferry?
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Check the ferry port location the day before you travel.
This is especially important if it’s your first time using that port. Some ferry ports are much larger and more complex than they appear on Google Maps. For example, Heraklion port has separate areas for cruise ships, ferry terminals, and shipping container terminals, which can be confusing if you’re unfamiliar with it. -
Arrive at the port at least one hour before departure.
Getting there early made the boarding process much easier for us. We avoided people pushing, queue jumping, and last-minute rushing, and everything felt much more organised. This is particularly helpful on busy routes. -
Travel light where possible.
There are luggage storage areas on board, but they didn’t feel very secure and were located below deck, meaning you can’t keep an eye on your bags. We travelled with 10 kg backpacks and kept them with us at our seats, which was far more convenient. -
Bring water and seasickness medication.
Ferry crossings can be quite choppy, especially on faster boats, so it’s best to be prepared if you’re prone to seasickness. -
Don’t rely on mobile signal while at sea.
There is little to no signal or 3G once the ferry leaves the port, so make sure you download tickets, maps, and anything else you may need in advance.
We were surprised that boarding started around an hour before departure, which gave us plenty of time to find our seats, grab a coffee, and relax. Another pleasant surprise was having allocated seats — they were very comfortable and had plenty of legroom. I know that might sound like low expectations, but it was our first time travelling by ferry in Greece, and I genuinely expected to be sitting on the floor or on a plastic chair.
This particular journey was with Seajets from Heraklion to Naxos. It cost €99 per person, took three hours, and was the fastest option available. Interestingly, it was the same price as some of the slower ferry options.
WiFi is available on board for an extra cost (at least on Seajets), but mobile signal is very patchy when you’re far out at sea, such as on routes between Crete and Santorini.
Finally, be cautious when booking tight ferry connections. We travelled from Milos to Crete with a connection in Santorini. The scheduled layover was 1 hour and 15 minutes, but because the first ferry was delayed, we only had about 10 minutes to disembark and board the next ferry. We were very lucky not to miss it, and it highlighted how risky short connections can be. We’re still not entirely sure what would have happened if we had missed it.
How did you book your ferries?
This isn’t an ad, but we used Ferryhopper and had no issues at all. Alternatively, once you’re at the port, you can buy ferry tickets in person from kiosks. However, we found that some kiosks weren’t always open, so booking online was often easier and more reliable. That said, buying tickets in person is still an option.
If you book online, it works similarly to checking in for a flight. You still need to check in for your ferry, which usually opens up to two hours before departure. Even if you’ve booked and paid, you won’t be able to travel unless you complete the check-in process and download your ticket. Your email confirmation alone isn’t enough — you need the actual ticket or QR code to board.
Did weather affect your ferry journeys?
We travelled between May and June. Although we experienced one very choppy and rainy day, none of our ferries were cancelled. One journey was delayed by around two hours due to bad weather.
If this is something you’re worried about, it’s worth booking daytime ferry departures, so if there are delays you’re not travelling late at night. Alternatively, travelling in June, July, or August may reduce the risk, as the poorer weather we experienced was during our May dates.
Did you have to pay extra for luggage?
No. In Greece and Spain, you’re generally allowed to bring one large piece of luggage for free. If you have additional bags, you may be charged. This is different in Italy, where you may need to pay extra for luggage on ferries.
What happens to your luggage on the ferry?
On larger ferries, there is usually a designated area on a lower deck where large suitcases are stored. Passenger seating is typically on a different deck, so you won’t be able to keep an eye on large bags during the journey.
If you have valuable or important items, it’s best to pack them in a backpack or small carry-on and take them with you, just like you would on a plane. Smaller suitcases, such as cabin-sized bags, can usually be taken upstairs with you.
