18/07/2026
š¬š· The Joy of Spontaneous Greek Island Hopping by Ferry
One of the greatest pleasures of a Greek summer is the freedom to wake up, decide youāre ready for somewhere new, and simply catch a ferry to another island. Some of my favourite memories have come from making no plans at all and seeing where the day takes me.
A few ferry tips from experienceā¦
ā“ļø Keep your plans spontaneous. I like to buy my ferry tickets in advanceābut only on the morning Iām travelling. That way I know exactly where Iām going, but Iāve still had the freedom to change my mind until the last minute. I wouldnāt recommend booking too far ahead unless you absolutely have to. The beauty of Greek island hopping is being able to follow the weather, your mood, or a recommendation from a local.
š¤ During the busiest weeks of summer, the smaller, faster boatsāFlying Dolphins, hydrofoils and catamaransācan sell out, so theyāre worth keeping an eye on. The larger, traditional Greek ferries, though, usually have plenty of space, and itās often possible to simply turn up and buy a ticket.
š Donāt panic about timetables. Greek ferries are generally far more punctual than people give them credit for. Yes, delays happen occasionally, but theyāre the exception rather than the rule. If youāre wondering where your ferry is, use a live maritime tracker. Itās much more reassuring than an app thatās insisting your ferry has already departed when youāre still standing on the quay!
šļø If you have bought your ticket, keep it somewhere easy to access on your phone. I always take a screenshot as well, so Iām not frantically searching through emails while everyone else is boarding.
š Itās also worth carrying a small backup battery packāI never travel without my iWalk power bankājust in case your phone starts running low after a day of checking ferry times, taking photos and navigating between islands. Alternatively, pack your charging cable, as most Greek ferries have charging points. But why spend your crossing sitting indoors charging your phone when you could be outside on deck, feeling the sea breeze and soaking up those incredible Aegean views?
āļø Donāt bake in the harbour. In the height of summer, thereās often very little shade. Rather than standing in the blazing sun for ages, watch for the ferry to arrive. On arrival . Watch the sequence .. first come the foot passengers, then the cars, vans and lorries roll off. Once theyāre clear, boarding usually begins.
š¶ Expect a little chaos. There always seems to be a burst of pushing, shoving and collective panic that the ferry is about to leave without everyone. In reality, thatās highly unlikely! Stay calm, join the queue, and youāll be on board soon enough, or if you prefer get native and use those elbows !
ā One final tip before you board. Find a local cafĆ©, order yourself an iced frappĆ©, and use their facilities before heading to the harbour. Trust me, theyāll almost certainly be a more pleasant experience than the ferry toilets. Youāll thank me later!
š Once youāre aboard, head for the open deck. On the older Greek ferries, my favourite spot is the next-to-top deck on the starboard side. Those simple plastic seats may not look luxurious, but with the sea breeze, endless blue water and islands drifting by, theyāre some of the best seats in Greece.
š My biggest tip of all? Donāt try to do too much. Yes, you can catch three or even four ferries in a day if the timetables work, but donāt make it a race. Slow down and slip into the Greek way of life. Build your day around a leisurely breakfast, then a mid morning frappĆ©, allow time to wander and enjoy a long lunch on an island youāve never visited before, and perhaps finish the day with a refreshing mojito before catching the last ferry back to your home island. Itās not about ticking islands off a listāitās about soaking up the atmosphere, the sea, the pods of porpoises following the ship, the sunshine and the sheer joy of being in Greece. Thatās exactly what I did yesterday, and I loved every minute of it.
Sometimes the ferry isnāt just the way to get somewhere else. Itās the highlight of the journey itself.
Have you ever discovered a Greek island completely by chance?
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