Milos to Folegandros Ferry: Times, Fares and the Neighbouring Islands

Milos is Folegandros's nearest big neighbour and, together with Santorini, the most convenient gateway for anyone who wants to avoid the long crossing from Piraeus. Ships leave from Adamas and dock at Karavostasi, Folegandros's port, 3 km below Chora.

High-speed vessels take about 45 minutes to 1 hour 15, conventional ferries about 2 to 2.5 hours, with tickets from roughly 15 to 45 euros depending on the ship. The route runs year-round, with reduced sailings in winter and daily departures in summer.

Milos also has an airport with flights from Athens, so flying in and taking the boat is one of the quickest ways to reach Folegandros. For every option, see the guide on how to get to Folegandros and the Folegandros travel guide.

Operators and times change every year, so take the table as an order of magnitude and check the current season before you book. The conventional ferries coming from Piraeus usually call at Serifos, Sifnos, Milos and Kimolos before Folegandros, so Milos is one of their intermediate stops.

The western Cyclades are essentially one line, and Folegandros is the end of it.

• Sifnos (Kamares): 1.5 to 2 hours by high-speed, 3 to 3.5 hours by conventional ferry, roughly 18 – 50 €. Year-round, almost daily in summer.
• Kimolos: 45 minutes to 1 hour by high-speed, 1.5 to 2 hours by conventional ferry, roughly 12 – 35 €. Several times a week, year-round.
• Serifos: usually on the Piraeus-line ferries that call at Serifos, Sifnos, Milos and Kimolos; there is no fixed direct link, so check the day's sailings.

Whichever island you start from, the ship docks at Karavostasi, and the Road Runner vehicle can be waiting for you on the quay.

The two big central Cyclades connect with Folegandros daily in summer, usually from April to October, by high-speed vessels and some conventional ferries. Both islands have airports, so they are alternative gateways if flights to Milos or Santorini are full.

The high-speed boats from Naxos and Paros often call at Ios or Sikinos before Folegandros; the stop takes a few minutes.

Ios: the nearest island to the east, 45 minutes to 1 hour by high-speed and 1.5 to 2 hours by conventional ferry, several times a week from April to October. It is also the natural intermediate stop between Folegandros and Santorini; see the Santorini to Folegandros guide.

Sikinos: the closest neighbour, 30 to 45 minutes on the scheduled ferries and 20 to 40 minutes on the small local boat that runs in summer, with tickets of roughly 8 – 15 €. It is the classic day trip from Folegandros; see the Sikinos day trip guide.

Mykonos: only by a seasonal direct high-speed boat, 3 to 4 hours, roughly 45 – 75 €, from May to September and daily in July and August. Out of season the journey means a change in Paros, Naxos or Ios.

Book tickets for July and August weeks ahead, especially for the high-speed boats and the afternoon departures; in May, June and September you usually find a seat a few days before. All operators appear together on ferryhopper.com, which is the easiest way to compare times.

Luggage travels free, but on the quay at Karavostasi there is no lift and no trolleys, so pack what you can carry. Be at the port half an hour before departure.

The ship docks at Karavostasi, a small harbour with tavernas, rooms and the port beach a few steps from the quay. Chora is 3 km uphill: the bus usually meets the ferries in summer, there are one or two taxis on the whole island, and most accommodation offers a transfer.

The simplest way is to have the vehicle waiting for you: Road Runner delivers free to the port, helmets included, so you leave the quay straight for the beach or your accommodation. See the port guide for the beach, the tavernas and the first swim at Karavostasi.

For prices by season see the prices page.