Ferry from Athens (Piraeus) to Karpathos

Take advantage of the available discounts and travel by ferry from Athens to Karpathos with lower-cost ferry tickets. Some indicative passenger categories that are entitled to discounts up to 50% are:

• Children
• Infants
• Students (Greek Public Universities)
• People with disabilities and their accompanying persons

Note: infants and toddlers up to 4 years travel for free.

Blue Star Ferries operates the Athens - Karpathos route with conventional cruise ferries, such as the Blue Star Chios, which are designed for long-distance travel and are equipped with a range of modern amenities and services. On most ferries, you will find:

• Seats in air-conditioned lounges and outer decks
• Snack bars, cafés, and restaurants (à la carte and self-service)
• Luxury shops and kiosks
• Playrooms for children with events, drawing desks, and games
• Car decks for transporting vehicles
• Wi-Fi hotspot to stay connected during the trip, with a range of data bundles available to suit your needs

Accessibility

The ferries serving the Athens - Karpathos route are generally accessible, featuring ramps and elevators, accessible seating areas, and adapted cabins for passengers with disabilities.

Boarding assistance is typically available upon request and prior notification to the ferry company before your journey.

Note: accessibility features vary from vessel to vessel, so it is recommended to contact the ferry company at the time of booking for further details.

Cabins and accommodation

Are there cabins on the ferry?

Yes, you can book cabins for 1-4 passengers on the ferry from Piraeus to Karpathos. Typically, you can choose between:

• Standard inside cabins
• Outside cabins with a sea view
• Deluxe suites with a double bed and sea view
• Cabins for passengers with disabilities
• Pet-friendly cabins
• Shared cabins

All cabins feature air conditioning, a wardrobe and an ensuite bathroom.

Cabin prices start at about €95.

Can I book business-class seats?

No, the ferries serving the Athens (Piraeus) - Karpathos route do not have a business-class lounge, however you can book a numbered seat. These airline-style reclining seats typically have extra room for you to stretch out and are located in a quieter lounge.

Prices for numbered reclining seats start from €65.

Luggage

With Blue Star Ferries, you can bring as many bags as you can carry on board, with a combined weight of 50 kg. The ferries have a dedicated luggage storage area, where you can leave your bags for the duration of the trip.

Traveling with pets

Pets are generally allowed on Athens - Karpathos ferries, usually for free, provided you include them in your booking. Make sure you bring along your pet’s health and travel documents, including passport, microchip ID and valid rabies vaccination, as well as tickets and pet supplies you may need for the trip.

Where do pets stay?

Typically, your pet can stay with you, in the onboard kennels, or you can book a pet-friendly cabin.

The ferries have designated walking areas, however pets are generally not allowed in standard cabins, lounges or dining areas. During the trip, smaller pets must be kept in their carrier, while larger pets must wear a muzzle and be kept on a leash.

For more details, take a look at our guide on ferry travel with a pet in Greece.

You can find useful information about the trip from Piraeus to Karpathos below:

• We recommend that you arrive at the port of Piraeus at least 1 hr before boarding, as the port gets quite busy, particularly during the summer months. Make sure you allow for extra time if you're traveling with a car to Karpathos.
• The Aegean Sea can get a bit rough, so if you are sensitive to the waves, consider taking seasickness medication for the trip. As always, you can discuss your options with your pharmacist or doctor.
• Greek ferries can get a bit chilly, even during the summer, so bring along a light jacket or sweater for the trip.
• The ferry trip is overnight, so we highly recommend that you book a cabin for greater privacy and comfort. Alternatively, you can also book a numbered reclining seat.
• For your return trip, book your tickets on the Karpathos - Athens ferry well in advance, as car deck spaces and cabins often sell out.
• From Karpathos you can visit nearby islands such as Anafi, Rhodes, Kasos, and even Crete. Take a look at the Karpathos ferry schedules for more details on all routes, ticket prices and operators, and then book your Dodecanese island-hopping adventure with our interactive Map of Ferries in just a few clicks!

Where to take the ferry from Athens to Karpathos

Ferries from Athens to Karpathos normally depart from the port of Piraeus. The port of Piraeus is located approximately 15 km south of the city center of Athens and 45 km from the Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos.

At the port, you will find basic amenities such as waiting rooms, ticket offices and Wi-Fi, while nearby there are plenty of cafes, restaurants, shops, taxis and public transport stations.

From which gate to ferry to Karpathos depart?

Ferries to Karpathos normally leave from port gate E1 at the port of Piraeus. Departure gates may change, so we recommend checking your ticket and the electronic display boards located at the port for more information.

How to get to the port of Piraeus

You can get to the port of Piraeus by car, taxi, as well as public transport, including metro, bus and suburban railway.

• By car: you can reach the port via Syngrou/Poseidonos avenues or the Athinon - Pireos highway.
• By metro: the fastest way to avoid traffic is via metro Line 1 (Green), which connects central spots like Monastiraki and Omonia directly to the port in 20-30 min. Line 3 (Blue) runs from Athens International Airport to Piraeus in about 1 hr. The ferry gates are a 5-10 min walk from the station.
• By bus: the X96 express bus runs 24/7 and offers a direct connection from the airport to the port in around 90 min.
• By taxi: it takes about 30-45 min from the city center and 45-60 min from the airport.

Where does the ferry arrive in Karpathos?

Ferries from Athens arrive at 2 ports in Karpathos: Karpathos port, also known as Pigadia, in the south, and Diafani port in the north. Sailings from Piraeus may call at one or both ports, so check the destination printed on your ticket carefully.

• Karpathos port is located in Pigadia, the island’s capital. The ferry docks within walking distance of cafés, restaurants, stores, hotels, travel agencies, and car-rental offices. The local bus terminal for reaching other villages on the island is about a 10-min walk away, while the Karpathos Airport is approximately 13.8 km from the port.
• The port of Diafani is on the northern part of the island, around 8 km from the village of Olympos. Restaurants, cafés, accommodations, and the village beach are within walking distance. Diafani is approximately 70 km from Pigadia, and the drive usually takes around 1 hr 20 min.