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Ashley Metcalfe
June 17, 2024
Want to get from Athens to Hydra?
Hydra is a popular island because of how close it is to Athens. Many tourists travel to this beautiful Saronic island for its stunning beaches, traditional Greek architecture and scenic views.
Getting to Hydra from Athens isn’t as difficult as you might think! In this blog post, you’ll learn which port to depart from, the ferry ticket prices, a couple of travel tips and everything else in between!
Is Hydra Worth Visiting?
Yes! It’s an easy trip and the perfect escape from that Athens city life.
Hydra island is nearby so it doesn’t take long to get there and explore. When Matthew and I were digital nomads in Athens for 2 months, we were longing for a short getaway.
If you want to be surrounded by the ocean, eat delicious Greek food and walk through traditional Greek villages – Hydra is a great destination for you!
Whether you go for a quick day trip or you decide to spend the weekend away, Hydra is the perfect distance to get away for the day, change up the scenery and see a beautiful Saronic island in Greece.
The Best Way To Get From Athens To Hydra
Looking for the best way to get from Athens to Hydra?
You’re in luck because there’s really only one option and that’s the ferry! Here’s everything else you need to know about taking the ferry from Athens to Hydra.
How Long Is The Ferry From Athens To Hydra?
That depends on the ferry you decide to take!
You have two choices: a traditional ferry or a high-speed ferry.
The duration of the ferry ride isn’t that much different, to be honest. A traditional ferry ride from Athens to Hydra will take 2 hours and the high-speed ferries will take about 1.5 hours.
Athens To Hydra Ferry Price
The ferry cost from Athens to Hydra is around 40 euros.
The price can depend on the season you visit. If you visit Greece during the peak summer season, you can expect prices for things like transport and accommodation to be much higher, in general.
From our other ferry trips like Athens to Santorini, Athens to Crete or Athens to Paros, this seems a little pricey for a much shorter journey. The only way to visit Hydra island is via the ferry so it kind of makes sense.
How To Book The Athens To Hydra Ferry
Ready to visit Hydra island but want some next steps?
The booking process is simple but here’s an easy step-by-step guide to booking your Athens to Hydra ferry:
1. Book Your Ferry Ticket
Which website to book your ferry tickets from? In Greece, there are just so many options from the official ferry websites to third-party websites.
You can trust most of them, even third-party websites. We used third-party websites and the official websites when we booked and we had no issues whatsoever!
Here are the links to some third-party sites:
From what I gather, Blue Star Ferries is the only company that has ferries from Athens to Hydra. They are the biggest and most reputable ferry company in Greece which is why you’ll probably take them at some point when you visit any of the islands in Greece.
If you want to book directly through the ferry companies, here are the links:
If I remember correctly, we used GreekFerries.gr and directly booked with Blue Star Ferries on their website. For such a short trip and with Blue Star Ferries being the only ferry company, I would book with them directly.
But this all depends on what feels right for you and which one you trust the most.
Check The Ferry Timetable
The ferry schedule completely depends on the season. It changes all the time in Greece and you will have to double-check the websites for the latest departure times.
As of now, there is one traditional ferry by Blue Star departing at 9:00am and arriving in Hydra island at 11:00am. If you want to take the high-speed ferry from Athens to Hydra, it departs at 5:00pm which means you’ll arrive at 6:50pm.
If you are visiting Hydra island for only a day trip, the best option is to take the 9:00am ferry!
Traditional Ferries vs High-Speed Ferries
The biggest difference between traditional ferries and high-speed ferries is in the name. The traditional one takes much longer and they are also usually much bigger ships than your high-speed ferries.
High-speed ferries can reach your destinations much faster and they usually cost a little more than traditional ferries. The other thing you have to watch with high-speed ferries is that it’s much easier to get seasick! If you have motion sickness, it might be best to stick with the traditional ferries but this all depends on the weather conditions when you get out to sea.
For the Athens to Hydra ferry, you’ll only save 10-30 minutes if you go with the high-speed ferry. The price of the traditional vs the high-speed ferry is actually exactly the same but it’s the timing that you’ll have to watch out for.
If you want to take the early morning ferry, you’ll only have the traditional ferry as your option as the high-speed one only departs at night.
2. Getting To Piraeus Port
Now you’ve chosen your ferry company, booked your tickets and you’re ready to depart!
When you take the ferry, you have to get to the port first. The most popular port for tourists to travel to the islands whether that’s the Saronic or Cyclades, you’ll depart from Piraeus port!
There are 2 ways to get from Athens to Piraeus port:
- Metro
- Taxi
If you want to take the metro, the best station to start your trip is Monastiraki. You won’t have to make any changes if you get on here and it will take you straight to Piraeus town. The annoying thing is that the Piraeus metro stop is in the town which means you’ll have to figure out how to get from the town to the port. It’s a short walk but it could turn into a long one if you’ve got your luggage with you!
You can take a taxi which we have done and we definitely believe we got ripped off! So I don’t recommend just flagging one down if you’re price sensitive. The best option is the rideshare apps like FreeNow, Beat, Bolt and Uber! You can expect to pay around €5 for a ride from the metro station to the port. An Uber ride from Monastiraki to the port costs anywhere between €15 to €25.
Want the easiest and most comfortable option? Simply book a Welcome Pickups car to take you door-to-door.
You can easily reserve your car on their website with the specific time you want to be picked up and they will take care of it from there! From Monastiraki to Piraeus port, the price for your own private car is around 29 euros.
3. Arriving In Hydra
Once you’ve boarded the ferry, it’s only a 2-hour ride and you’ll arrive on the beautiful island of Hydra. There’s plenty to do on this island if you want to do hikes or if you want to chill there are also lots of beaches to visit!
Here are some popular things to do in Hydra:
- Visit Rafalia’s Pharamacy (it’s actually really cool)
- Chill on the beaches (Vlychos and Kaminia Beach are popular)
- Hike the Bastions for a nice view
- Visit Museums and the Monastery of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary
While there isn’t much to do, Hydra has just the right amount of activities for a day trip or weekend getaway! After all your adventure, return to the port and get back on the ferry from Hydra to Athens!
Can You Do A Day Trip From Athens To Hydra?
Yes, it’s possible to do a quick day trip from Athens to Hydra.
The ferry only takes 2 hours which means you’ll still have plenty of time to explore the town.
However, if you want to go a little further and explore the island – you’ll need a weekend trip. The ferry timetable is also a little tricky to get back from Hydra to Athens. With a 2 night trip, you can easily see the island and not stress about your time!
A day trip is possible but a weekend trip from Athens to Hydra is best!
Getting From Athens To Hydra Isn’t So Difficult
It’s actually pretty easy to get from Athens to Hydra!
The only transport option is to take the ferry. It only takes around 2 hours and you’ll be in Hydra in no time! The ferry costs around 40 euros depending on whether you travel during the high or low season.
Hydra is worth visiting for travelers that like to visit undiscovered gems in Greece. It’s not as popular as Santorini but it has its own little charm that makes it the perfect island for a day trip or weekend getaway.
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