Ferry ticket costs in Greece among highest in Europe, study finds

A Kathimerini study has found that ferry travel in Greece can be significantly more expensive per nautical mile than equivalent routes in northern and southern Europe, especially on short, high-speed connections between popular Aegean islands.

The research compared ferry fares for a round trip by three adults and a car across various European routes. While ticket prices in wealthier countries like France, Spain and the Netherlands were generally affordable relative to distance, Greek island routes – particularly those served by high-speed ferries – were disproportionately costly.

A stark example emerged in the Cyclades: a round-trip between Ios and Naxos can cost up to €478.60 for the group, or €10.6 per mile – far more than longer European routes such as Cherbourg in France to the Irish port of Rosslare (€1.4/mile) or Barcelona to Ibiza (€0.5/mile) in Spain.

The research highlights that the widespread use of high-speed ferries in Greece, combined with limited alternatives on certain routes, drives up prices. In some cases, high-speed vessels offer only marginal time savings. For instance, the “fast” ferry between Serifos and Folegandros saves just 10 minutes compared to a conventional ferry, while charging double the price.

Older, conventional ferries are not only more economical but also more environmentally friendly and seaworthy in the often rough Aegean Sea. Yet on several popular routes, such as Ios-Naxos, conventional ferries run just once a week, leaving passengers with no choice but to pay the premium.

The cheapest prices per mile are found on the longest routes, such as those from Piraeus to Crete (€1.1 to 1.9/mile) or Rhodes (€1.1/mile).

Michalis Stavropoulos-Kathimerini