Ferry to Lesvos 2027: routes, prices & tickets

You can reach Lesbos by ferry from Piraeus, Thessaloniki and Kavala, with fares starting from €27. Here you can see which route offers the best value, how long the journey takes, when to book for 2027 and what to know about Mytilene port.

Updated: · Ferryfast

Ferry tickets to Lesvos

Departure ports
3
Travel time
7h 55m – 17 hours
Tickets from
€27
Ferry companies
1

Ferries to Lesvos from Athens and the mainland

RouteTravel timeTypeFerry companiesfromLink
Kavala to Lesvos7h 55m – 9h 50mConventionalBlue Star Ferries€27Schedule →
Piraeus to Lesvos11h 20m – 17 hoursConventionalBlue Star Ferries€44Schedule →
Thessaloniki to Lesvos10h 5m – 13h 15mConventionalBlue Star Ferries€36.50Schedule →

Ferry times to Lesvos

Indicative schedule — times change by season. Confirm in the search before booking.

DepartsArrivesVessel / CompanyTypeDaysPrice
21:3005:25Blue Star FerriesBlue Star MyconosConventionalWednesday (arrives Thursday)—

Kavala to Lesvos: full route page →

How much is the ferry to Lesvos

Conventional

from €27

Starting prices per person, economy seat, one way.

When to book: for July–August 3–4 weeks ahead; May, June and September have more availability. Discounts for students, large families and island residents.

Ferry companies serving Lesvos

Port information

  • Location: Mytilene passenger port is in the town itself. From there you can walk to the waterfront, the market and many central hotels and apartments.
  • Arrival times: Overnight ferries usually arrive in the morning. From Kavala this can be before 06:00, while from Piraeus it is typically around 08:00–10:00. Check the exact time on your ticket.
  • Parking: Around the port and the seafront there are controlled pay-parking spaces (blue zones). According to recent local information, charges apply Monday–Saturday 08:00–21:00, and parking is free after 21:00, on Sundays and on public holidays. Read the signs where you park, as the rules can differ from street to street.
  • Airport: Odysseas Elytis Airport is about 8 km (5 miles) from the town, a 10–15 minute drive. It is served by a bus line and taxis.
  • Getting around the island: To Molyvos, Plomari, Eresos or Sigri the distances are 46–91 km (29–57 miles). If you don't have a car, book a rental before you arrive, especially in August.
  • Luggage: If your room isn't ready after your morning arrival, ask your accommodation about luggage storage or early check-in.
Ferry to Lesvos

How to get to Lesbos by ferry

All ferries to Lesbos arrive at Mytilene port and are operated by Blue Star Ferries. With only one operator, there is no competition between companies to push prices down. Your choice is mainly about the departure port, the day of travel and the type of seat or cabin.

From Piraeus

This is the most frequent connection. Based on the 2026 timetable, there are departures almost every day all year round, with extra sailings added in summer. Evening ferries usually leave at around 20:00 and reach Mytilene the next morning, somewhere between 08:00 and 10:00. The journey takes roughly 11.5 to 14 hours, depending on the ship and the intermediate stops. Some sailings make more stops and can take up to 16 hours, so check the arrival time as well as the departure time.

As a guide (2026 fares), an economy seat starts from about €44, a reserved seat from €48 and a cabin from €85. For so many hours at sea, a cabin is worth it if you want to arrive rested and make the most of your first day. The ship usually departs from Gate E2 at Piraeus, but confirm the gate on your ticket.

From Thessaloniki and Kavala

If you are starting from northern Greece, these routes save you the trip down to Piraeus. From Kavala the crossing takes about 9.5 to 10 hours, and fares start from the €27 shown on this page. From Thessaloniki the service is less frequent, with an evening departure (around 21:30 in the 2026 timetable) and a morning arrival after about 10 hours.

On both routes the ship calls at Limnos (Lemnos) first, so you can combine two islands in one trip. Frequencies are much lower than from Piraeus: from Kavala there are about four departures a week in summer, and from Thessaloniki often just one or two. For that reason, fix your travel day first and book everything else around it.

Which route should you choose?

  • Coming from Athens or southern Greece: Piraeus. It offers the widest choice of days and times.
  • Coming from Macedonia or Thrace (northern Greece): Kavala or Thessaloniki, depending on which has a sailing on your dates. Compare the cost of fuel and motorway tolls to the port as well.
  • Want to see Limnos too: The connection from Kavala or Thessaloniki is the most practical.
  • Travelling with a car: Book early, as vehicle spaces on summer sailings sell out before passenger tickets do.

When to book for 2027

Summer (July–August) and Greek Orthodox Easter are the busiest periods. For these, book as soon as the timetables open, especially if you want a cabin or need to take a vehicle. Autumn and winter have fewer sailings, particularly from Thessaloniki and Kavala, so there are few options for travel days even if tickets don't sell out. Each season's timetable is released gradually and changes from year to year, so don't rely on last year's schedule for days and times. This page shows the current timetables and fares each time you search.

Tips before you travel

  • On a night crossing, bring a jumper and earplugs. The communal areas can be heavily air-conditioned and noisy.
  • The ship may arrive before 06:00, especially from Kavala. If your accommodation doesn't allow early check-in, ask about luggage storage.
  • In bad weather (strong meltemi winds in summer, southerly gales in winter), sailings can be changed or delayed. Check your departure a few hours beforehand.
  • Arrival times vary a lot from ship to ship. If you have a return flight or an appointment, check the arrival time carefully.

Once you arrive: Lesbos is big

Lesbos is the third-largest Greek island, and distances matter. From Mytilene, Agiasos is about 32 km (20 miles) away, Plomari 46 km (29 miles), Molyvos 67 km (42 miles), and Eresos or Sigri around 91 km (57 miles). If you plan to see more than one area, you will need a car, either brought over on the ferry or hired on the island. Mytilene has a lively waterfront, a castle, and cafés and restaurants that start almost at the port. You can have your breakfast there after the overnight ferry.

Lesvos ferry FAQ

How much is a ferry ticket to Lesbos in 2027?

Fares start from €27 on this page and usually apply to an economy seat on specific sailings from Kavala. From Piraeus, based on 2026 prices, an economy seat started at around €44 and a cabin at €85. The final price depends on the day, the type of seat or cabin and whether you take a vehicle. The search on this page shows the fare for the day you choose.

How long is the ferry from Piraeus to Lesbos?

About 11.5 to 14 hours, depending on the ship and the intermediate stops. Some sailings make more stops and take over 16 hours. Most leave in the evening and arrive in the morning.

Which ports have ferries to Lesbos?

Piraeus, Thessaloniki and Kavala, all sailing to Mytilene port. Ferries from Thessaloniki and Kavala call at Limnos on the way.

Which ferry company goes to Lesbos?

On the routes shown on this page, sailings are operated by Blue Star Ferries. The difference between departure days mainly comes down to the ship, the journey time and the availability of seats and cabins.

When should I book a ferry to Lesbos?

For July, August and Greek Easter, book as soon as the timetables open, especially if you want a cabin or need to take a car. Outside the high season, a few weeks ahead is usually enough, as long as there is a sailing on the day that suits you.

Can I take my car on the ferry to Lesbos?

Yes, the ships carry vehicles. Spaces are limited, so book early in peak season. If you are staying for only a few days and just in Mytilene, it may be better value to hire a car on the island.

Is it better to take the ferry or fly to Lesbos?

Flying is much quicker. The ferry is preferred by people taking a car, travelling with a lot of luggage, or wanting to sleep on the way and arrive in the morning. From Thessaloniki and Kavala, the ferry is also the way to combine Limnos and Lesbos.

Where is Mytilene port in relation to the town?

The passenger port is in the town, next to the waterfront and within easy reach of cafés, restaurants and accommodation. The airport is about 8 km (5 miles) away.

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