Ferry to Patmos 2026: routes, prices & tickets
Patmos has no airport, so the ferry is the only way to get there. From Piraeus the crossing takes around 6 to 8 hours, and tickets start from €43.70.
Ferry tickets to Patmos
- Departure ports
- 1
- Travel time
- 7h 20m – 12h 10m
- Tickets from
- €43.70
- Ferry companies
- 2
Ferries to Patmos from Athens and the mainland
| Route | Travel time | Type | Ferry companies | from | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Piraeus to Patmos | 7h 20m – 12h 10m | Conventional High-speed |   | €43.70 | Schedule → |
Ferry times to Patmos
Indicative schedule — times change by season. Confirm in the search before booking.
| Departs | Arrives | Vessel / Company | Type | Days | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15:00 | — | | Conventional | Tue | — |
| 18:00 | 02:10 | Superfast XI | Conventional | Mon, Wed | — |
| Departs | Arrives | Vessel / Company | Type | Days | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07:45 | 19:55 | | High-speed | — | — |
| 13:00 | 21:45 | Blue Star Patmos | Conventional | Thu | — |
| 15:00 | 22:20 | Blue Star Patmos | Conventional | Tue | — |
| 17:00 | 00:20 | Blue Star Patmos | Conventional | Wed | — |
| 18:00 | 02:10 | Blue Star 2 | Conventional | Tue, Thu, Sat | — |
How much is the ferry to Patmos
Conventional
from €43.70Starting 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 Patmos
Port information
- Arrival port: Skala, the only commercial port on Patmos. All ferries and excursion boats dock there.
- Access: The village of Skala is right next to the quay, so you can walk to accommodation, cafés and shops.
- Getting around the island: buses, taxis and rental vehicles are available near the seafront. Chora is higher up and can be reached by bus or taxi.
- Parking: Space is limited in summer. If you leave a vehicle before departure, allow extra time to reach the quay.
- Tickets: You can buy tickets at the port and at offices in Skala, but space sells out in summer, so we recommend booking online.
- Boarding: Be at the quay at least 60 minutes before departure, especially if you have a vehicle.
- Late-night arrivals: Many sailings from Piraeus arrive after 22:00 or well past midnight. Arrange your pick-up or check-in in advance.
- Nearby islands: Ferries to Leros, Lipsi, Arki, Agathonisi, Samos, Rhodes and Piraeus leave from the same quay.
How to get to Patmos
You can only reach Patmos by sea. The simplest option is the direct ferry from Piraeus, operated by Blue Star Ferries with conventional ships. Seajets is also listed for this route, but Blue Star runs the most frequent service all year round. The "from €43.70" price is for a basic economy passenger ticket. The final price depends on your seat type (deck, airline-style seat or cabin), the travel date and how early you book.
If you are travelling from abroad, an alternative is to fly to an island with an airport, such as Kos, Samos or Leros, and continue by ferry. This is a good option if you would rather not spend a whole night at sea.
Piraeus to Patmos: journey time and departure times
The journey time depends on the ship and the number of intermediate stops. The fastest sailings reach Patmos in about 6 hours. The usual afternoon departures take between 7 hours 20 minutes and 8 hours 10 minutes. When the route includes many stops, or if you travel with Seajets, the journey can stretch to 12 hours.
This has a practical consequence: many ships leave Piraeus around midday or in the afternoon and reach Patmos late in the evening or after midnight. We have seen arrivals at around 22:20 and 02:10. Book accommodation that allows late check-in and let your host know your arrival time.
Where the ferry leaves from in Piraeus
Ferries to the Dodecanese usually depart from Gate E1. The gate can change, so check your ticket or ask the port authority on the day of travel. Plan to be at the port 60–90 minutes before departure, and earlier if you are travelling with a vehicle.
How often the ferry runs and when the season changes
The route operates all year. In summer, Patmos is served almost daily, while in winter sailings drop to just a few per week. Sources differ on the exact number, so check the available dates before you lock in other bookings, especially if you are travelling between October and May. From spring, the Dodekanisos Seaways catamarans also start running, linking Patmos with Leros, Lipsi, Kalymnos, Kos, Rhodes and Samos.
When to book
- July–August and the 15 August holiday: book as early as possible, especially if you want a cabin or are taking a car.
- Orthodox Easter and May–June: the island is in high demand for pilgrimages and quiet holidays, so try to book at least a few weeks ahead.
- September–October: there is usually more flexibility, but sailings become less frequent, so check which days your preferred ferry runs.
For a vehicle, budget roughly €150 one way from Piraeus. The price varies by ship and date, and garage space sells out early in summer.
Do you need a car on Patmos?
In most cases, no. Skala, Chora and the nearby beaches are easy to reach by bus, taxi or on foot. A car makes sense if you are staying somewhere remote or want the freedom to explore the beaches. Renting a scooter or car on the island is usually enough, and it saves you the queue and the cost of taking a vehicle on the ferry.
Patmos and neighbouring islands
Patmos is a good base for island hopping in the northern Dodecanese. Lipsi is between 20 minutes and 1 hour 25 minutes away, depending on the ship, with tickets from around €5. Leros takes about 40 minutes on the fast catamaran and up to two hours on slower connections. The crossing to Samos takes about 1 hour 35 minutes on the fastest sailing. There are also connections to Kos, Kalymnos and Rhodes. For the short hops, especially in summer, choose times that leave you enough time to get back if you are making a day trip.
What to see after you arrive
The Cave of the Apocalypse and the Monastery of Saint John the Theologian in Chora are the two main sights. Chora sits high above the port, and you can get there by bus, taxi or on foot. For a beach, Meloi is a convenient choice near Skala. Psili Ammos is more secluded and can be reached by boat from Skala in summer or by a walking path of about 30 minutes from Stavros Bay.
Tips before you travel
- Bring your passport or photo ID, as it is checked at boarding.
- If you are prone to seasickness, choose a lower deck or a cabin on overnight sailings.
- Check the arrival time before booking accommodation, as night-time arrivals are common.
- Check for timetable changes the day before you travel, especially in strong winds.
Patmos ferry FAQ
How much is a ferry ticket to Patmos?
An economy passenger ticket from Piraeus starts from €43.70. On busier dates, or with a cabin and a car, the total cost is higher.
How long does the ferry from Piraeus to Patmos take?
Usually 7 hours 20 minutes to 8 hours 10 minutes. The fastest sailings take around 6 hours, while routes with more stops, or sailings with Seajets, can take up to 12 hours.
Is there an airport on Patmos?
No. The nearest airport is on Leros, followed by Kos, Samos and Kalymnos. From there you continue by ferry.
Which ferry companies go to Patmos?
From Piraeus the route is served by Blue Star Ferries and, on some sailings, Seajets. Between the Dodecanese islands, Dodekanisos Seaways and Saos Ferries also operate in summer.
Which gate does the Patmos ferry leave from in Piraeus?
Usually Gate E1, which serves the Dodecanese. Check your ticket for the exact gate and arrive 60–90 minutes early.
Where does the ferry arrive on Patmos?
At Skala, the island's only commercial port. Hotels, cafés and shops are close by, and Chora is a few kilometres away by bus or taxi.
Does the ferry run all year round?
Yes, the Piraeus to Patmos route runs all year, but there are fewer sailings in winter. The fast catamarans between the islands are mainly seasonal.
Can I get from Patmos to Lipsi or Leros?
Yes. Lipsi is between 20 minutes and 1 hour 25 minutes away, and Leros between 40 minutes and 2 hours, depending on the ship. Most routes have more sailings in summer.