Ferries to Aegina depart from Piraeus, the main port of Athens, throughout the day. There are two types: the conventional ferries that carry cars and take about an hour and ten minutes, and the high-speed catamarans (often called flying dolphins, though modern versions are no longer hydrofoils) that cover the crossing in 35 to 45 minutes. Both operate year-round with increased frequency in summer.
Gate E8 or E9 in the Piraeus port complex is where most Aegina services depart. Piraeus is the southern Terminus of Metro Line 1 (the green line) from central Athens — from Monastiraki or Omonia the journey takes around 20 minutes. On arrival in Piraeus, follow the port signs to the Saronic Islands quays; the walk from the metro station is about ten minutes.
Tickets can be bought at the port on the day, but in summer — particularly on Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons when Athenians return from weekends on the island — fast ferries sell out. Booking online the day before is safer and the price is the same. The main operators are Hellenic Seaways and Aegean Speed Lines; both have English-language booking sites. A return on the fast catamaran costs around 28 to 35 euros per adult depending on the season.
If you are bringing a car, you must use the conventional ferry and book the vehicle separately. The car deck fills quickly on summer weekends; book several days ahead. Motorcycles and scooters cost significantly less than cars.
Photo: Konrad Summers / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)