Getting to Mykonos: Ferries from Athens/Santorini (Tourlos Port) and Airport (JMK)

Situated right in the middle of the Aegean Sea 150 kilometres south-east of Athens, Mykonos is connected by non-stop flights from across Europe and by the densest high-speed ferry network in the Cyclades. Because both the airport and the ferry port lie within 2.5 to 4 kilometres of Mykonos Town (Chora), transfers take less than fifteen minutes once you know the system.

1. Arriving by Ferry: Why You Must Know "New Port (Tourlos)" vs "Old Port"

All commercial passenger and car ferries (Blue Star Ferries, SeaJets, Fast Ferries and Golden Star) from Athens (Rafina and Piraeus), Tinos, Syros, Paros, Naxos, Ios, Santorini and Crete dock at the New Port at Tourlos, located 2.5 kilometres north of Mykonos Town:

• Tip When Sailing from Athens (Rafina vs Piraeus): if you are flying into Athens International Airport (ATH) and heading straight to a ferry for Mykonos, sail from Rafina Port (only 30 minutes by direct bus/taxi from Athens Airport) rather than Piraeus, Rafina has more daily sailings to Mykonos, tickets are cheaper, and the crossing takes only 2h 15m by high-speed catamaran or 4h 30m by conventional ferry.
• The Best Way from Tourlos New Port into Mykonos Town: do not attempt to walk the 2.5 km coastal highway from Tourlos into Chora with suitcases (the road is narrow, busy and has no continuous sidewalk). Instead, walk 50 metres down the ferry pier and step straight onto the Mykonos SeaBus water taxi (departing every 20 to 30 minutes at current official rates ), which sails directly into the Old Port and Town Hall pier in the heart of Chora in 8 minutes.

2. Arriving by Air at Mykonos International Airport (JMK, 4 km from Chora)

Recently upgraded with a modern Cycladic-styled terminal, Mykonos Airport (JMK) receives 35-minute flights from Athens year-round and direct seasonal flights from London, Paris, Milan, Rome, Zurich, Frankfurt and Dubai:

• KTEL Airport Bus to Fabrika Square (Chora): from May through October, public KTEL buses wait directly outside the arrivals hall, running to Fabrika Square in 10 minutes . standard fare.
• Taxis & Pre-Booked Transfers: because the entire island of Mykonos has only around 35 to 40 licensed silver radio-taxis, taxi queues at the airport and ferry port can be 30 minutes long in July and August; if you are not taking the KTEL bus or SeaBus, ask your hotel to pre-arrange your arrival transfer.