Blue Star Ferries ship serving Piraeus to Karpathos

Athens → Dodecanese

Piraeus to Karpathos Ferry

Plan the crossing from Piraeus to Karpathos, with departure-port details, Blue Star Ferries and onward travel after arrival.

from 13h 30m Up to 3 weekly Cars & passengers Cabins worth comparing

Compare Piraeus–Karpathos Prices Plan Your Crossing

FerryEU booking search

Compare Piraeus to Karpathos tickets

Choose your route, travel dates, passengers and vehicle to compare current sailings and fares. Route selected: Piraeus to Karpathos. Search all ferry routes.

Check your ports, passengers, vehicle and dates before completing the reservation.

Route guide

Piraeus to Karpathos ferry

Piraeus–Karpathos is one of the longest regular Greek domestic ferry journeys from Athens. Blue Star Ferries currently publishes up to three routes each week and a journey from about 13 hours 30 minutes. Departures are shown from Piraeus Gate E7 and can form part of a long multi-stop itinerary through the southern Aegean.

Conventional passenger-and-vehicle ferries make the route suitable for cars and foot passengers, but the length of the crossing makes accommodation especially important. A private cabin can be valuable on overnight services, while reserved seats offer a less expensive alternative. Always compare the exact ship, intermediate calls and arrival time shown for your date.

Pigadia is the island’s main town and ferry gateway, while the mountainous north and villages such as Olympos require considerably more road time. Current Blue Star information also connects Karpathos with Anafi, Kasos, Rhodes and Sitia in Crete, so the route can form part of a wider southern-Aegean journey. On these very long services, a change in the number of intermediate calls can make a meaningful difference to both arrival time and the value of booking a cabin.

Look beyond the headline fare when comparing Piraeus to Karpathos. Departure time, ticket flexibility and the transfer after arrival can make a different sailing more convenient overall.

Timetables can change between seasons and weekdays. Check the live result for the exact sailing date, vessel and check-in requirement before arranging tightly timed onward plans.

Travelling the other way? Read the Karpathos to Piraeus ferry guide.

Compare Ferry Prices Compare operator

Featured direct operator

Ferry operator from Piraeus to Karpathos

Compare the exact vessel, journey time, boarding instructions and onboard facilities before choosing your sailing.

Blue Star Ferries

Long-distance Dodecanese passenger and vehicle service

Crossing time: from 13 hours 30 minutes in current Blue Star information

Blue Star Ferries publishes the Piraeus–Karpathos route with up to three routes each week in current destination information. The live booking result identifies the operating vessel, intermediate calls and exact arrival time for the selected departure.

Passenger and vehicle ferry service
Cabins available on conventional ships
Onward Dodecanese connections

Compare Blue Star Ferries Prices Blue Star Ferries guide

Departure and arrival ports

Piraeus and Karpathos ferry ports

Check the current ticket for the correct gate, terminal instructions and operator check-in deadline before travelling.

Athens / Attica

Piraeus Ferry Port

Piraeus is Greece’s largest ferry hub. For this route, current Blue Star guidance points to Gate E7; always use the final gate and boarding instructions shown on your ticket.

Metro, road and taxi access from Athens
Multiple ferry gates spread around a very large harbour
Current operator guidance: Gate E7 for this route

Dodecanese

Karpathos Ferry Port

Pigadia is Karpathos’s principal passenger ferry port and main town. Some island itineraries can also involve Diafani in the north, so confirm the exact call pattern and arrival point before arranging onward transport.

Pigadia is the principal ferry gateway
Check whether the itinerary includes Diafani
Long road journeys may be needed for northern villages

On board

Choose comfort to match your Piraeus–Karpathos crossing

The Piraeus–Karpathos crossing is long enough for the assigned ship and accommodation category to matter. Compare cabins, reserved seats, food service and vehicle arrangements for the exact departure.

Cabins & seating

A private cabin can make a sailing of 13 hours 30 minutes or more substantially easier. Conventional Blue Star ferries also provide reserved seating and public lounges.

Food & drink

Large conventional ferries normally provide café, bar or restaurant options, but the exact outlets depend on the ship assigned to your sailing.

Vehicle travel

Passenger-and-vehicle ferries serve this route. Enter the correct vehicle category and dimensions, and book early for busy summer departures.

Pet travel

Pet accommodation and designated areas depend on the vessel. Add the pet correctly when booking and check the current documentation and onboard rules.

The assigned vessel can change. Treat the live booking result and current operator information as definitive for facilities, accessibility, vehicle carriage and pet arrangements.

Travel information

Greek domestic ferry travel: identification, boarding and practical planning

This is a domestic Greek ferry route, but passengers still need accurate booking details and accepted identification. Vehicle travellers should carry normal registration and insurance documents, while cabin passengers should confirm berth type and boarding instructions before reaching Piraeus.

Passenger identification

Use the same passenger name as your accepted identification and keep the document ready with the e-ticket.

Vehicle details

Enter accurate vehicle dimensions and carry normal registration and insurance documents when travelling with a car or motorcycle.

Long-route boarding

Allow time to find the correct gate, load vehicles if applicable and settle into the assigned seat or cabin before departure.

Blue Star Ferries ship and travel to Karpathos

After arriving in Karpathos

Karpathos needs more than a quick port transfer

Pigadia is convenient for the south of the island, but reaching Olympos, Diafani and the mountainous north takes substantially longer by road.

Pigadia Olympos Diafani Kasos Rhodes

Current Blue Star connections also run toward Kasos, Rhodes, Anafi and Sitia in Crete, creating unusual options for a longer southern-Aegean itinerary.

Compare Ferry Routes

Compare before you book

Alternative ferry routes

Compare departure port, sailing length, vessel type and onward travel before choosing your itinerary.

Piraeus → RhodesCompare another long southern Dodecanese route.View route Piraeus → KosCompare a shorter major Dodecanese crossing.View route Piraeus → SantoriniCompare a Cyclades route farther west.View route

Common planning questions

Piraeus to Karpathos ferry FAQs

How long is the Piraeus to Karpathos ferry?

From 13 hours 30 minutes. Exact journey times can vary with the vessel, intermediate calls, weather and sailing date.

Which ferry company operates Piraeus to Karpathos?

Blue Star Ferries publishes the Piraeus–Karpathos route. The live booking result identifies the exact vessel, departure time and calling pattern for your selected date.

Can I take a car?

Yes on the conventional passenger-and-vehicle ferries normally used for this route. Enter the correct vehicle category and dimensions, and book early when demand is high.

Can I travel as a foot passenger?

Yes. Foot passengers are accepted on the normal passenger services. Check the selected vessel, departure gate and operator instructions before travel.

Are cabins available?

Cabins are available on conventional Blue Star ferries, subject to the ship assigned to your departure. They are particularly useful on a crossing of 13 hours 30 minutes or longer.

Can I take a pet?

Pet travel is subject to the operator’s current rules and the facilities on the selected vessel. Add the pet correctly when booking and check current documentation requirements.

How early should I arrive?

Follow the check-in time on your booking and allow extra time to reach the correct Piraeus gate. Current Blue Star information points to Gate E7 for this route.

Does the timetable change by season?

Yes. Current Blue Star destination information shows up to three routes each week, but sailing days, times, intermediate calls and vessel assignments can change by season and operating conditions.

Travelling in the other direction?

Karpathos to Piraeus ferry guide covers the opposite departure port, arrival arrangements and onward connections.

Departing from Piraeus

Use the terminal or pier named on your Blue Star Ferries confirmation. The published departure is the sailing time; check-in and vehicle acceptance close earlier. If reaching Piraeus by train or bus, allow for the transfer from the station to the harbour and for luggage handling.

Metro, road and taxi access from Athens
Multiple ferry gates spread around a very large harbour
Current operator guidance: Gate E7 for this route

Piraeus destination and port guide

Arriving in Karpathos

Start your onward itinerary at the actual landing point in Karpathos. Leave time to unload before a timed collection, train or island bus. If the ferry arrives late in the day, check the final public-transport departure or arrange a transfer in advance.

Pigadia is the principal ferry gateway
Check whether the itinerary includes Diafani
Long road journeys may be needed for northern villages

Karpathos destination and port guide

Including this crossing in a trip from the UK

Allow for the overland journey to Piraeus before choosing the ferry. A separately booked flight, train or earlier crossing may not protect you if you miss check-in. Use local times on both sides and check entry rules for each country on your full itinerary. Travel within Europe is not automatically free of document checks.

Read the UK ferry documents guide

Planning the wider journey in Greece

Greek island ferries are normally an onward stage after reaching Greece by air or by road and an Adriatic crossing. Piraeus, Rafina and Lavrio are separate Athens-area ports, and an airport connection needs time for travel and ferry check-in.

Planning advice for the journey from Britain

Passengers, vehicles and the fare

Select the correct passenger category before comparing Piraeus to Karpathos fares. A passenger-only boat cannot take a car, and a vehicle ferry may still have limited bicycle or foot-passenger availability. The travel modes shown in the facts panel should be checked against the specific sailing.

For a vehicle booking, give the full height and length including a roof box, rear rack or trailer. Where accommodation is offered, check whether a cabin or seat is required and whether meals are included. Request mobility assistance and any pet space before completing the booking, because these can have separate capacity limits.

Prices depend on the date, passenger mix, vehicle and ticket conditions. Compare the complete return cost and the amendment or cancellation terms. No fixed fare on this guide should replace a dated quote.

Car and motorhome planning · Travelling without a car · Taking a pet

Plan with current information

Ready to travel by ferry?

Find Piraeus to Karpathos ferry tickets

Compare current sailings, passenger fares and onboard options, then choose the crossing that works best for your journey.

Compare Prices & Book