Aegina is the easiest Greek island to reach from Athens — and we say that as people who make this crossing all the time. Boats leave Piraeus roughly every hour in season, the trip takes between 40 minutes and an hour fifteen minutes depending on the vessel, and you don't need to plan much in advance for most of the year. Here's everything worth knowing, written from the island itself.
At a glance
- From: Piraeus port — Gate E8 for ferries, Gate E9 for the Aero high-speeds (both a short walk from Piraeus metro station)
- To: Aegina Town (main port, year-round). Seasonal boats also serve Souvala and Agia Marina.
- Duration: ~40 min by high-speed, ~1h10–1h25 by conventional ferry
- Price: roughly €9.50–€19.50 per person depending on boat type
- Frequency: around 20 crossings a day in summer, across several companies
- Live departures: see our Today's Ferries board — updated daily
Ferry or high-speed: which should you take?
Two very different kinds of boat make this crossing, and the right choice depends on your day.
Conventional ferries take about 1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 25 minutes. They carry cars and motorbikes, they're cheaper, and — the part visitors underrate — they have big open decks. On a summer morning, standing on deck with a coffee as Piraeus slides away behind you is genuinely one of the best parts of the trip. They also sail in almost any weather.
High-speed vessels and hydrofoils — the Aero Highspeed catamarans, plus the Flying Dolphins of Hellenic Seaways, Aegean Flying Dolphins and Magic Sea Ferries — do it in around 40 minutes. You sit inside, aeroplane-style; there's no deck access and no vehicles. They cost more, and when a strong wind blows they're the first sailings to be cancelled — worth remembering on gusty days.
Our honest advice: if you're not in a hurry, take the conventional ferry at least one way. The ride is part of the day out. Take the fast boat when you're squeezing Aegina into a tight day trip.
One island, three ports
This catches people out every year. Aegina has three ports served from Piraeus:
- Aegina Town — the main port, served year-round by everything. If in doubt, this is your ticket. You step off the boat straight into the prettiest waterfront in the Saronic, with the horse carriages, the fish market and the pistachio stalls right there.
- Agia Marina — on the east coast, served by high-speed boats in season (~30 minutes). If you're staying in Agia Marina or heading straight to the Temple of Aphaia, arriving here saves you crossing the island.
- Souvala — on the north coast, served by conventional ferries (~1 hour), usually the cheapest ticket to the island. Handy for the northern villages.
Double-check which port is on your ticket before you board — they are not close to each other.
Getting to Piraeus from Athens
By metro: the simplest way. Line 1 (green) runs from central Athens — Monastiraki, Omonia — to Piraeus station in about 20–30 minutes. Line 3 (blue) also reaches Piraeus and connects all the way from the airport. From either station it's a short, flat walk to the gates.
From the airport by bus: the X96 express bus runs 24 hours a day from Athens airport to Piraeus port, stopping near the Saronic gates. Allow 60–80 minutes depending on traffic.
By taxi: from central Athens expect around 20–35 minutes outside rush hour. Tell the driver "Piraeus, Gate E8 — for Aegina" (or E9 if you're on an Aero) and you'll be dropped off practically at the boat.
At the port: finding your boat
Piraeus is Europe's biggest passenger port and looks intimidating on a map, but Aegina travellers have it easy: conventional ferries and the Flying Dolphins leave from Gate E8, the closest gate to the metro — about a five-minute walk — while the Aero Highspeed catamarans board at Gate E9, right next door. The gate is printed on your ticket; confirm it on the departure boards anyway, as things occasionally shuffle.
One warning we give all our visiting friends: the high-speed boats close their ramps sharply, about five minutes before departure. Don't cut it fine. For conventional ferries, arriving 20 minutes early is plenty; with a vehicle, make it 45 minutes.
Tickets and prices
As of 2026, a standard passenger ticket runs roughly €9.50–€12 on conventional ferries and up to about €19.50 on the fast boats. A car costs from around €20–26 each way, a motorbike from about €5.50. Children under 5 typically travel free and ages 5–10 at half price on the conventional lines.
Where to buy: online through the operators or any of the big booking platforms, or in person at the ticket kiosks lining the gates — there's rarely any price advantage either way. E-tickets on your phone are accepted.
Do you need to book ahead? Most of the year, no — turn up, buy, board. The exceptions matter though:
- Summer weekends, especially Friday evening out of Piraeus and Sunday afternoon back from Aegina — these are among the busiest sailings in Greece and genuinely sell out. Book those in advance.
- August generally — and above all the days around 15 August, the feast of the Panagia (Dormition of the Virgin), the single busiest travel period of the Greek year — plus Easter and the Agios Nektarios feast on 9 November.
- Any vehicle, any time in summer — car deck space is limited and goes first.
For today's actual departures, our live ferry board is updated daily, and you can search any date on our ferry schedules page.
Bringing a car — or renting here instead?
Only the conventional ferries take vehicles. If you're coming for a short stay, consider skipping the car ferry queue entirely: Aegina Town has plenty of car, scooter and e-bike rentals, and the island bus network reaches Agia Marina, Perdika, Souvala and the Temple of Aphaia.
Local tips no booking site will give you
- Sit on deck, starboard side out of Piraeus for the best views of the coastline; you'll spot the Aegina waterfront and the little white chapel at the harbour mouth as you arrive.
- Windy day? Check for cancellations before heading to the port — hydrofoils get pulled first, conventional ferries almost always run. Our news section carries disruption notices as they happen.
- Ferry strikes happen a few times a year in Greece, usually announced days in advance. We cover them, in English, when they do.
- Day-trippers: boats start early — first departures from Piraeus are typically between 6:30 and 8:20 in summer — and the last boat back to Piraeus usually leaves Aegina between about 19:30 and 21:00 depending on day and season. That's a genuinely full island day.
- Prone to seasickness? The Saronic is usually calm, but on a windy day choose the big conventional ferry over the hydrofoil — the difference is night and day.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the ferry from Athens to Aegina?
About 40 minutes on a high-speed vessel, or roughly 1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 25 minutes on a conventional ferry, depending on the operator.
How much does the ferry cost?
Standard tickets range from about €9.50 to €19.50 per person depending on the type of boat. Cars cost from roughly €20 each way.
Do ferries run in winter?
Yes — Aegina has year-round service every single day, just at reduced frequency. This is a living island, not a summer resort.
Can I do Aegina as a day trip from Athens?
Easily — it's the classic Athens day trip. With the early boats out and evening boats back you get 8–10 hours on the island. See our one perfect day itinerary.
Which Piraeus gate do Aegina ferries leave from?
Gate E8 for the conventional ferries and Flying Dolphins, and Gate E9 right next door for the Aero Highspeed catamarans — both about five minutes' walk from Piraeus metro station.
Can I take my dog on the ferry?
Yes. On conventional ferries pets travel on a leash or in a carrier (open deck areas, not the indoor lounges); high-speed boats are more restrictive, with kennel areas for larger dogs. Bring health documents.
What happens if the weather is bad?
High-speed services are cancelled first in strong winds; conventional ferries sail in almost anything. Check our live board or the news section before you set out.
Written on Aegina by the AeginaNews team. Last updated August 2026 — we review this guide every season.