How to Get From Athens to Syros: What to Expect
If you’re planning a trip from Athens to Syros this guide is for you!
In this guide, we’ll cover every option of how to get to the beautiful Greek island of Syros from Athens. We will cover what you need to know about flights and ferries, so your trip from Athens to Syros is as smooth and enjoyable as ours was.
We’ll also tell you the best ways to get around the island of Syros, and give you some recommendations on what to do and where to stay once you’re there.
If you’re short on time and want to get straight to our recommendations, here’s our preferred way to get from Athens to Syros and we book everything through FerryHopper:
How to Get From Athens to Syros: By Ferry or Plane
Oh Syros, you won our hearts. Off the typical tourist path, fresh foods and amazing cuisine, incredible views, crystal clear waters, and a charming town.
While we’ve been to Syros multiple times now, our most recent stay in Syros was to send our kids to the new Syros location of Boundless Life World School, and to carry out our remote work at the worldschool’s coworking space. Whether you’re a worldschooling family or a casual tourist, if you’re visiting Greece for any length of time don’t miss a chance to go to Syros for a truly authentic Greek island trip.
Here’s a breakdown of how to travel from Athens to Ermoupolis, Syros, covering the most scenic, cheapest, and fastest ways to the island.
A quick note on the capital of Syros, Ermoupoli. This capital port town of Syros is also known as Ermoupolis and Hermoupolis. So if you see or hear any of those variations, they all refer to the same town.
Option 1: Ferry from Athens to Syros (From Piraeus Port)
Price: Approx. $40-75 USD / €38-70 EUR
How Long: 2-4 hours
How Often: Changes Seasonally (3 times per week – multiple times per day)
Departure Port: Piraeus Port
The main route for the ferry from Athens to Syros leaves from Piraeus Port, about 45 minutes outside of Athens.
If you’re arriving in Athens International Airport (AIA/ATH), you’ll want to take a cab or private transfer to Piraeus port (approximately a 45-60 minute drive).
From the port, take the high-speed ferry to Syros. The ferry ride duration ranges, depending on the ticket you purchase. The fastest ferries go direct to Ermoupolis and take two hours, whereas other ferries stop at other Cyclades islands along the way and can take up to 4 hours.
The ferry will arrive right at the port in Syros in the heart of Ermoupolis. We’ll cover how to get around Syros more later.
Blue Star Ferry from Athens to Syros
We booked a Blue Star Ferry with a cabin during our trip from Athens (Port: Piraeus) to Syros. This is definitely the way to go if you and want some napping space! We had an excellent experience with Blue Star Ferry cabins and highly recommend it for your travels.
We recommend booking your ferry through FerryHopper, as this website is easy to navigate and makes booking easy. They also show connections and overall just have an easier platform to navigate.
Once on FerryHopper, select the dates you want to travel, then on the next page select whether you want a seat or a cabin. (This was confusing to me initially because I was looking for the page to select a seat type.)
Note: Make sure to book your ferry in advance, especially during the high season. Also, note that if winds are really high or the weather is bad, ferries do get canceled. This can also happen on the off-chance you visit when worker strikes occur.
View Ferry Schedule & Book Tickets
Alternate Port: Ferry from Rafina Port to Syros
You can also take a ferry from Rafina Port to Syros at certain times of the year. Rafina Port is less busy than Piraeus Port, and the ferry ride is longer, with stops at other islands such as Mykonos, Paros or Naxos.
Consider this to be a more scenic ferry route, especially if you book a ferry with a longer layover on one of the neighboring islands.
Alternate Port: Ferry from Lavrion Port to Syros
Similar to the departure from Rafina Port, the ferry from Lavrion Port to Syros island is a slower ferry with stops at other Cyclades islands along the way.
View Ferry Schedule & Book Tickets
Transfers from Athens Airport to the Port of Piraeus, Rafina or Lavrion
We set up a private transfer from the airport to the port with Dimitris (WhatsApp # +306947761801). Everything went extremely smoothly, and we had a nice spacious air-conditioned van, which we enjoyed after a long overnight flight.
We have also used Welcome Pickups, which was timely and had nice vehicles. Do note that Welcome Pickups required us to come prepared with appropriate car seats for everyone 12 years old and younger.
Option 2: Flights from Athens to Syros
Price: Approx. $75 USD / €70 EUR
How Long: 35 minutes
How Often: Changes Seasonally (From 3-4 flights per week to daily)
Departure From: Athens International Airport
The quickest way to travel from Athens to Syros is by plane. Flights depart from Athens International Airport (AIA/ATH) and fly to Ermoupolis, the capital of Syros. The plane is quite small, with approximately 30 seats, and the flight is quick and scenic.
Syros Airport (JSY) is small, and upon arrival, you’ll walk from the plane to the terminal. The airport in Syros is only 15 minutes from the city center of Ermoupolis. You can arrange for a cab or take a public bus to get to the town.
How to Get Around on Syros Island
If you arrive at Syros Airport, you will either take a taxi to your hotel or pick up your rental car at the airport.
If you arrive at the port of Syros, you’ll arrive right in the town of Ermoupolis. You can walk into the town from the port very easily if you don’t have a lot of luggage. You’ll even see many people eating out in Syros along the waterfront with their luggage. Or, you can take a taxi waiting at the port to transfer you to your hotel (unless you brought your car on the ferry).
The main town of Ermoupolis is really easy to walk around. It is flat around the waterfront and port areas, and then it gets very hilly with lots of steps up to Ano Syros village. To explore outside of Ermoupoli, it is easy to grab a taxi at the square or call for one to pick you up.
If you are staying at the beaches or anywhere outside of Ermoupolis, we recommend taking a taxi or renting a car. We rented a car in Syros and found it to be the best way to see the island, especially if you want to pack a lot of exploration in a short amount of time.
We have rented with GALERA Rent a Car several times for around USD $30-$50/day for a Fiat Panda, which was the perfect little vehicle for our family of five (including a baby car seat).
✅ Check out our post on renting a car on Syros island to find out what to expect!
Is Syros worth visiting?
In my younger years, I went to all the cool well-known Greek Islands, such as Mykonos, Santorini, Ios, and Corfu. I wasn’t sure what to expect from Syros, but I have to say, after visiting lesser-known islands like Syros, I have no real desire to go to the well-known islands full of tourists.
Syros is special. It’s more real Greek Island life. Because most people live here year-round, the island doesn’t completely shut down after the high season. It doesn’t just have your tourist shops. In fact, it doesn’t really have many touristy shops.
People here live here, they grew up here, and they are passionate about their island. I would say skip the popular islands and go to Syros. Just don’t tell many people, because I want it to keep its charm!
Things to Do in Syros
Visiting Syros means surrounding yourself with incredible Greek architecture, beautiful Catholic and Orthodox churches, amazing beaches, and wonderful people. Here’s a look at some of our favorite activities in Syros.
- Visit Ano Syros: Ano Syros is a beautiful fortress town with the typical Cyclades architecture and shops and restaurants. You can walk up the hundreds of stairs to get to Ano Syros, or take a cab to the top. Look out over the beautiful Aegean Sea and the narrow alleyways of the city below.
- Take a cooking class (⭐Voted 5/5 Stars with 38 Reviews): Get a true taste of Greek cuisine with a private hands-on cooking class where you will make traditional Greek cuisine using organic, local and seasonal ingredients. What better way could there be to experience Greek culture than through food!
✅ Book Your Private Greek Cooking Class
- Eat the local delicacy Loukoumi: Loukoumi is a sweet treat and the pride of Syros. You can buy it from one of the many waterfront shops in Syros.
- Hike to Agios Stefanos: This 25-minute hike (each way) will take you over moderately rugged terrain to reach a small cavern in the rocks and a chapel. On calm days, you can choose to jump in and swim in the water, (but beware that the water is very rough, even on calm days.) Make sure to spend some time exploring the cave before hiking back.
Note: The starting point of this hike is about a 25 minute taxi or car ride from Ermoupoli town square. From the starting point, the hike takes about 20-25 minutes each way. Make sure to pre-arrange your cab to pick you up at a set time when you plan to return to the starting point of the hike so that you have transportation back to Ermoupolis.
- Go for a swim: There are lots of amazing beaches along the coast of Syros to explore while visiting the island!
- Grab a spanakopita at Artisti Προζύμι: This bakery is open 24/7, which is super helpful in a town that closes for siesta and on Sundays! Plus, it is conveniently located at Miaouli Square (the town square in Ermoupolis).
- Go for gelato at Dejango: If this is open (usually only closed in the winter), it has to be on your list! Dejango has the best ice cream on the island, made from simple, pure ingredients and lots of Greek island love! You can often even see them making fresh gelato as you’re making your order.
- Visit St Nicholas Church Syros: Also known as the church of Agios Nikolaos, this is the iconic church in Ermoupolis, a short walk from the town square.
- Check out performances at Apollon Theater: Depending on how long you’re visiting Syros, you may be able to catch a live performance a the beautiful Apollon Theater. Check out upcoming shows here.
- Makryonitis Syros Distillery: This is an award-winning distillery. It is the first distillery that distilled and bottled fresh fig distill. Many of the recipes are inspired by traditional Cycladic recipes.
Where to Stay in Syros
There are so many amazing hotels in Syros, from beachfront resorts to luxury boutique hotels. These are our recommendations for where to stay in Syros.
✅Castro Hotel
Castrol Hotel & Spa is a gorgeous boutique-style hotel, situated in the perfect location in the heart of Ermoupolis, on a quiet safe street. From the hotel, it is easy to walk to shops and restaurants in less than 5 minutes.
Insider’s Tip: While the hotel itself is beautiful, the real reason I went back time and time again was for the spa! Even if you aren’t staying overnight at the Castro Hotel, I highly recommend booking a spa treatment.
✅Dolphin Bay Family Beach Resort
Dolphin Bay Resort is a family-friendly hotel located at Galissas Beach, a 20-minute drive or taxi ride from the port of Ermoupolis. It has family-style rooms, which is helpful when traveling with kids.
It has a pool with a small children’s waterslide, as well as perks like free ice cream for kids. It’s situated right across the small street from Galissas Beach, which is known for its soft sand and shallow waters, perfect for kids to swim in.
We also recommend asking for a renovated room for the best experience at this hotel!
✅Book Dolphin Bay Family Beach Resort
FAQs: Traveling from Athens to Syros
How can I go to Syros?
To get to the Cyclades island of Syros, you will need to either take a plane or a ferry. If you have your own private boat, you can also take your boat to Syros.
How long is the ferry from Athens to Syros?
The ferry ride from Athens to Syros varies in length, ranging from 2-4.5 hours, or longer if you book a ferry with layovers on neighboring islands. When booking a ferry from Athens to Syros, consider whether you want a direct trip on the high-speed ferry or whether you want to take a more scenic ferry ride to Syros with layovers.
How do I buy ferry tickets for Syros?
You can buy ferry tickets online with Ferryhopper. They make it easy to search and compare routes, prices, times, and operators so you can find the best option for your trip from Athens to Syros.
Buy Ferry Tickets via Ferryhopper
How much is the ferry from Athens to Syros?
The price of a ferry ticket from Athens to Syros depends on the route and operator you choose. Ferry tickets can range in cost from €38-70, depending on how long your journey is, what type of vessel you take and other factors.
Where does the Syros ferry leave from in Athens?
The port of Piraeus is the main port for ferries leaving Athens to Syros. Some ferry routes also depart from Rafina, but these are usually to other islands in the Cyclades, not direct to Syros.
How long to spend in Syros?
We spent 3 months in Syros! I think to enjoy Syros, you would want at least 3 days. However, day trips to Syros are possible and easy because the ferry comes right into town. Then you can walk easily from there the port. Of course, when you spend more time in a place, you get to experience all the extras that make it special.
Is Syros very touristy?
Syros is absolutely not touristy compared to the well-known Greek Islands such as Mykonos and Santorini! To be honest, this is why there are much fewer tours and much less tourist information about it than some of the other islands.
Part of Syros’ charm is that it is more of a local year-round island. Yes, there are tourists, but most of them are Greek tourists, or a couple days a week, you will see day cruise tourists.
Despite being off the beaten path, Syros is the type of place I get excited to write about because it has so much charm and is an easy place to enjoy a vacation.
Conclusion: How to Get from Athens to Syros
If you’re planning on traveling to the beautiful Cyclades island of Syros from Athens, you have two great options: a quick, direct flight, or a scenic ferry ride through the Aegean Sea.
We hope this guide on how to get to Syros, along with how to get around on the island and what to do while visiting Syros helps you to have an awesome visit to the island. We can’t recommend visiting Syros enough, and like most places in Greece, the journey to get there is half the fun!
Check out the Best Hotels & Resorts in Syros Greece
More Passport Explorers Adventures
Do Polar Bears live in Antarctica?
12 Best Family Resorts in Barbados + BONUS Vacation Guide
Hiking Ad Deir Trail (Monastery): Back Route to Petra + Main Trail
Petra By Night Review: What to Expect & Is It Worth Doing?
Grand Cayman Family Vacation: Top Activities + Where to Stay