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This guide is all about what to expect when taking the ferry from Piraeus (the port of Athens) to Aegina.
You can do this trip as a short day trip from Athens (which I’ve done and love) or choose to spend longer as there is a lot to see and discover.
Quick info on Aegina
If you’re heading to Aegina in the summer time, I would recommend booking tours, transport and tickets ahead of time.
🚢 Book ferry tickets: Compare schedules and prices here → Ferry Scanner
🏨 Where to stay in Aegina:
- Aeginitiko Archotikon – beautiful boutique hotel not far from the port
- Danae Hotel – well maintained, clean with a pool
- LaLiBay Resort & Spa (Adults Only)– more resort style but with spa amenities for relaxing weekends
🇬🇷 Tours in Aegina to check out:
Athens: Guided Day Trip to Aegina Island with Swimming ⭐️⭐️ (awesome option! you get a guide on the ferry and transport on the island plus information and suggestions!)
From Athens: Hydra, Poros, and Aegina Day Cruise with Lunch (perfect if you don’t want to drive or get tickets and want to see a few islands near Athens)
Even though Aegina is really close to Athens, not a lot of people know how much there is to see there.
I’ve recently gone back to Aegina (it helps to have family living there) for a full day of exploring and scuba diving.
And I remembered how much I love easy to reach destinations close to Athens. Read on to get all the information you need on the route from Piraeus to Aegina.
In this guide, you’ll find:
- How to get to Piraeus Port (metro, taxi, practical tips)
- Ferry types, schedules, and ticket prices
- Whether you should book in advance
- What to expect at the port and on board
- How to return to Athens
- Frequently asked questions
How to get to Piraeus Port
You can get to Piraeus port by car, bus, metro (subway) or by hiring a taxi or transport service.
The main thing to remember is the gate that you are leaving from, since the distances between gates are a bit far to walk.
Arriving by subway
The ferries to Aegina most always depart from gate E8. You can put that on Google maps and get a sense of where it is located, which is right next to the subway station. This makes the metro a good choice for this trip if you want to save some money.
It will take you about 20 minutes from Monastiraki on the M1 (Green Line) to get from the center of Athens to Piraeus.
You’ll then have to walk across to enter the port gate and look out for the vessel name.
Arriving by bus
With the metro/subway being so convenient there is really no reason to take the bus.
The one time it would make sense is if you are at Athens airport and there is no other way. The bus is X96 and it has less stops between the two locations but will still take you at least 1 hour and 40 minutes or more with traffic.
Arriving by car
If you have a car to use on the island, you’ll need to drive there with the car. The one thing I recommend is to check out Piraeus port area in advance the previous days so you are not confused by the street layout.
This might be just me, but I find that getting caught on the wrong lane in Piraeus is easy, and you can miss your gate entrance or get caught doing u-turns.
Arriving by taxi/transfer
This is by far the best way to arrive with no hassle. Any taxi driver will get you there fast and easy. From the center of Athens expect to pay around 20 euro. Ιf you want a concierge setting, with more comfort (great for groups) and a guarantee that the taxi won’t smell like cigarette smoke, you can also check out the Welcome Pickups service. It operates in various countries and I’ve used it a lot for clients and group travel.
Where Do Ferries Leave From in Piraeus?
The ferry to Aegina almost always leaves from Gate E8.
From experience, aim to be there at least 1 hour in advance (especially in summer) to get inside and find a good place to seat.
If you are traveling by car, your ticket will have a suggestion for how early to arrive, which is usually 1-2hours in advance as well.
Can I get food in Piraeus before boarding?
Yes, of course! I actually recommend picking up food from a bakery nearby instead of paying $5 for a spanakopita on board.
My favorite place not far from Gate E8 is Sharai and it is a bougatsa place.
What is a bougatsa you might ask?
It is a Greek phylo goodness (can be savory or sweet) that Greeks love to have for breakfast. It is way more common in Northern Greece so this is a gem of a place to find in Athens. You’ll want to try the custard and cheese (i’m team cheese) but there is also a mince option, spinach option and other non-traditional versions.
The other go to place right next to the metro station is called “Horiatiko Bakery”. This is more of a traditional Greek bakery, with a ton of options. Pies, sandwiches, sweet and savory snacks. You can easily get a full bag of items for under $15 euro to keep 2 people very full.
Piraeus to Aegina Ferry Options
Now let’s talk about what your ferry options are like.
There are daily ferry departures from Piraeus to Aegina all year around. This only changes if the weather is bad or there is a strike.
You can’t control either of these, and they do happen fairly often in the off season but at least you know there are options every day.
There are also 6 different ferry companies that serve the island.
As a general rule, Saronic is the cheapest (and slowest).
The High Speed Ferries are the fastest and most expensive. Plus, they don’t carry cars.
Since it’s only a 30minute to 1:15 minute trip, I say go for the one that departs at a time that makes sense for you.
The route is too short to notice a huge difference.
Don’t let me go on a mini-rant but ferry ticket prices have gotten way to expensive anyway in Greece in recent years, so it makes sense to cut expenses when appropriate.
A note on the high speed ferries: I find the high speed routes “Aegean Flying Dolphins, Hellenic Seaways” make more sense when travelling to Mykonos or Santorini where the distance is long. Also, if you tend to get seasick the speed will make it worse, so take dramamine early.
How do I find my ferry?
Once you enter the departure gate, do a quick scan of the vessels in the area.
You’ll be able to see the company and name of the boat on your ticket pretty easily.
If not, there are traffic wardens that work on the port that will direct you.
If you’re walking, just carefully move towards the entrance where people will be showing tickets to walk upstairs.
For cars, there will be a warden to come check out your ticket and then will guide you on where to line up and wait to board.
How much do ferries from Aegina to Piraeus cost?
On the low end for a standard ferry, it is €9.5–15 and on the high end €18–22 (one way) Adding a car to your reservation will be another €30 each way at least.
Pets are allowed on most ferry companies in Greece and they require a ticket but you won’t have to pay extra for it.
You can book your tickets in advance online (recommended as they do tend to get full) or if it’s winter, you can book on the spot from one of the company offices near the port.
In terms of websites, the most popular I use are Ferry Scanner and Ferry Hopper. They have a better user experience than some of the other sites.
The websites are both pretty straightforward. You get options on ferry companies for your selected dates and then select the passengers, and whether you are adding a car or a pet.
You’ll have to add your name and if applicable the discount you are eligible for. Ignore this as it is mostly for Greek residents.
You then get an e-ticket which I prefer, hence why I recommend these websites.
You also might be asked to present your ID when boarding the vessel but it is rare.
What to expect boarding the ferry?
Most ferry routes in Greece are similar. You walk up and show your ticket and then you walk into the carpark area to drop off your bag in the storage area.
If you have big luggage you’ll have to leave it there. If you have small bags or carry on style luggage you can also take it upstairs.
I’ve travelled on a lot of ferries in Greece and never had an issue with something getting stolen, even during peak summer, so I wouldn’t worry leaving bags there.
You then walk upstairs and can find a spot to sit either inside or outside (to enjoy the view).
This is another reason why I don’t prefer Hellenic Seaways fast ferries, is because you can’t sit outside while the ferry is moving (too much speed).
Getting Back to Piraeus
Return ferries depart from the same port in Aegina town. It is not a huge port, so if you’re sitting near the town having coffee waiting for the evening ferry back, you’ll see it coming in.
Just like you did before, just walk and board.
FAQ
- Is Aegina worth a day trip from Athens?
Absolutely yes! You can be in beautiful beaches, explore archaeological sites, go scuba diving or have some of the best fish only 1 hour away from Athens.
- What is the most comfortable way to get to Aegina in comfort?
Book a taxi or transfer from your hotel in Athens, arrive in the port and board one of the high speed vessels that are faster and newer. Additionally, book a private transfer or guided tour from Aegina so someone will be waiting for you when you arrive. To make the most of it, I would recommend spending at least 2 days on the island in that case.
- What is there to see in Aegina?
Beautiful villages, a charming main town near the water, stunning beaches and archaeological sites. I wouldn’t skip a water based activity like scuba diving or sailing if I were you!
- Where to stay in Aegina?
There aren’t a lot of good hotels on the island unfortunately. But the two I’ve used and recommend are
- Aeginitiko Archotikon – beautiful boutique hotel not far from the port
- Danae Hotel – well maintained, clean with a pool
- LaLiBay Resort & Spa (Adults Only)– more resort style but with spa amenities for relaxing weekends
- Do they announce stops on ferries?
Usually yes but on this case it is also a one stop route, so you don’t have to worry about that.
- Where do I sit?
There are different tickets for seats depending on the ferry company. Since this is a short trip, you can sit anywhere inside or outside.
ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
Must Know When Visiting Greece
- Emergency: Dial 112 for all emergencies. For police, dial 100. For ambulance 166. For fire dial 199.
- Language: English is widely spoken in most tourist areas. Common phrases to learn are “Kalimera” (Good morning), “Yia” (Hello and Bye – informal), and “Efharisto” (Thank you).
- Water: Tap water is safe in Athens, mainland Greece and a small number of islands. Always ask beforehand.
- Driving: Right-hand side, international driving permit recommended. Book your rental car with Discover Cars for the best rates and comparisons across all major and local companies.
- Accommodation: Booking.com for the most options on hotels, apartments and hostels. Free cancellation in a lot of places and no need to pre-pay. Great for their rewards points system.
- Islands: There are a lot of islands, spread out around the country. Start with a map or ferry service to get an idea of travel times. Ferry Scanner is the best for ferry bookings to the Greek islands.
- Activities: From cultural sights to day trips, food tours and city guides, use Get Your Guide.
- Public Transport: For Athens, use the Athens Metro. If you are not renting a car, use Trains (Hellenic Train) or KTEL (Public Buses) services.
- Domestic Airlines: The main airlines for air travel are Aegean Airlines and Sky Express. I recommend Aegean Airlines and its rewards program.
- Taxi: Always use a taxi app, instead of flagging down a taxi from the road. Use FREE Now (formerly BEAT).
- Culture: A siesta nap is still common in less touristy areas. This also means businesses will close between 2 PM – 5 PM. Except for hospitality businesses, everything is closed on Sundays.
