Travel to Naxos
Unfortunately (or fortunately), there is no direct travel connection to Naxos – but there are plenty of other options.
The fastest and easiest option is to transit through Athens International Airport and take a domestic flight direct to Naxos (see details below).
From Athens, you can also transit through the Port of Piraeus and take the Ferry to Naxos (see details below).
From Europe, the Cyclades can be reached by plane directly to the international airports of Mykonos and Santorini. From there, ferries are operating the island of Naxos (see details below).
Reaching Naxos through Athens
From Athens International Airport, three Greek companies operate to Naxos: Aegean, Olympic, and Sky Express.
Naxos can also be reached from Athens by boat from the port of Piraeus. Shuttle buses (1 hour) and taxis (30 to 45 min) are directly connecting the airport to the harbor of Piraeus. A train connection (through the center of Athens) is also available.
From Athens:
By air:
Naxos’ small airport has not been extended yet (a blessing against mass tourism) and can only operate small propeller aircraft.
If you fly with a Greek company from your departure, you can book a connecting flight to Naxos. The luggage will follow.
If you fly with another airline or a low-cost company, you can book a second flight from Athens International Airport to Naxos (see domestic companies mentioned above). Luggage must be collected at disembarkation in Athens and re-checked for the following flight.
By boat:
It is recommended to book the ferry tickets in advance. Calculate enough time for the transfer from the airport to Piraeus. In Athens, at peak hours, traffic is often congested. Tickets booked online can be collected at the ticket office of the companies at the harbor, 1 hour before departure.
In Piraeus, the ferries are generally on time! It is recommended to arrive ahead of schedule at the gate of embarkation.
In summer, there are two kinds of ferries: the regular ones (big, slow, and relatively cheap) and the speed boats (small, fast but more expensive). The sailing times are as follows:
Regular ferries:
6 to 6,5 hours
Speed boats:
3,5 hours
The boats (both regular and fast) might stop at several islands before reaching Naxos – a great opportunity to catch a glimpse of the different Cycladic islands.
Ferries sail several times daily, from early morning until late at night. But if it is difficult to jump on a boat to Naxos due to late arrival at the airport or a short connecting time, stay for a night or more in the city and enjoy a historic visit to Athens or a gallery opening in Piraeus.
Through Mykonos or Santorini to Naxos
In summer, some European airlines have direct flights to Mykonos or Santorini. From there, ferries are operating the island of Naxos.
These two islands are small, and transfer from the respective airports to the harbors is easy and fast. Shuttle buses or taxis are available at the airports.
It is recommended to book the ferry tickets in advance. Calculate enough time for the transfer from the airport to the harbor. Tickets booked online can be collected at the ticket office of the companies at the harbor, 1 hour before departure.
Ferries are generally not on time – enjoy an Ouzo or a Frappé (medium sweet with milk) at the harbor Tavern! But after a few Ouzos, double-check if you’re boarding the right ferry ;-)
From Mikonos and Santorini
In summer, there are two kinds of ferries: the regular ones (big, slow, and relatively cheap) and the speed boats (small, fast but more expensive). The sailing times from the respective islands are as follows:
Mikonos (New Port) – Naxos:
40 min to 1,5 hours
Santorini (Órmos Athiniós) – Naxos:
1,5 hours to 2,5 hours
Ferries sail several times daily, from early morning until late at night. But if it is difficult to jump on a boat to Naxos due to late arrival at the airport or a short connecting time, stay for a night or more on the island of your choice and enjoy a romantic dinner in Santorini, shopping or a wild night on Mykonos.
