Plan the crossing from Piraeus to Kos, with departure-port details, Blue Star Ferries and onward travel after arrival.
Choose your route, travel dates, passengers and vehicle to compare current sailings and fares. Route selected: Piraeus to Kos. Search all ferry routes.
Check your ports, passengers, vehicle and dates before completing the reservation.
Piraeus–Kos is one of the main long-distance links from Athens into the Dodecanese. It is particularly valuable for travellers bringing a car, planning a multi-island trip or preferring an overnight ferry to a flight. The route usually forms part of a longer island chain rather than running non-stop, so the exact journey time depends on the intermediate calls used on your date.
Blue Star Ferries is the core direct operator. Current 2026 timetable patterns place Kos at roughly twelve hours from Piraeus, with combinations of Syros, Patmos, Leros and Kalymnos commonly appearing before arrival. A private cabin can make an overnight sailing much more comfortable, while deck or reserved-seat fares can work well for budget-conscious travellers.
Kos Town ferry harbour is central and easy to reach on foot from much of the town. The airport and major beach resorts lie farther away, so allow time for a bus, taxi or hire-car transfer after arrival. Kos is also one of the best-connected Dodecanese islands, with ferry links to Rhodes, Kalymnos, Leros, Patmos, Nisyros and other smaller islands.
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.
If you are connecting to accommodation, another ferry or ground transport, leave a sensible margin after the scheduled arrival. Weather, port traffic and boarding operations can occasionally affect the final timing.
Travelling the other way? Read the Kos to Piraeus ferry guide.
Compare vessel type, crossing time, vehicle options and onboard comfort before choosing your sailing.
Blue Star Ferries
Crossing time: about 12 hours on common 2026 patterns
Blue Star Ferries operates the principal direct Piraeus–Kos service. Published 2026 patterns put Kos roughly twelve hours from Piraeus on sailings that can also call at Syros, Patmos, Leros and Kalymnos.
Check the current ticket for the correct gate, terminal instructions and operator check-in deadline before travelling.
Piraeus is Greece’s largest ferry hub. Different island groups use different gates, so check the gate shown on your current ticket rather than simply navigating to the general port area.
Kos ferry port is beside Kos Town on the island’s north-east coast. The central location is useful for foot passengers, while roads connect quickly to the airport and resort areas.
The Piraeus–Kos route can use different vessel types. Compare the actual ship, seating, cabin, food and outdoor-deck options shown for your departure.
Long Crete sailings can justify a private cabin, while shorter Cyclades crossings are usually centred on reserved seats and lounges.
Large conventional ferries can have restaurants and bars; high-speed vessels usually offer cafés or snack services.
Vehicle space can sell out before passenger seats in summer. Enter the correct length and height when booking.
Pet cabins, kennels or designated areas vary by operator and vessel; check the selected sailing before travel.
The assigned vessel can change. Treat the live booking result and operator information as definitive for facilities, accessibility and pet arrangements.
These are domestic Greek ferry routes, but operators still require accurate passenger details and may request accepted photo identification at check-in or boarding. Vehicle travellers should carry normal registration and insurance documents and enter the correct vehicle dimensions when booking.
Use the same passenger name as your accepted identification and carry the document required by the operator.
Enter accurate vehicle dimensions and carry normal registration and insurance documents if travelling with a vehicle.
Summer ports can become congested quickly. Follow the current check-in deadline and arrive with enough time for boarding.
Kos Town combines the ferry harbour with restaurants, accommodation and historical sites, while the island’s beaches and resorts stretch far along the coast.
Frequent regional ferry links make Kos a natural interchange for Kalymnos, Leros, Patmos, Nisyros and Rhodes.
Compare Ferry RoutesCompare departure port, sailing length, vessel type and onward travel before choosing your itinerary.
About 12 hours. Exact times vary by operator, vessel, intermediate calls, weather and sailing date.
Blue Star Ferries operates the direct passenger route in the current 2026 programme.
Yes on vehicle-carrying sailings. Vehicle space can sell out early in peak summer, so enter accurate dimensions and book ahead.
Yes. These are passenger ferry services and foot passengers are accepted on the normal passenger sailings. Check the selected vessel and operator before booking.
Cabin availability depends on the vessel. Long Dodecanese and conventional overnight services are the strongest candidates for private cabins; high-speed services are primarily seating-based.
Pet travel is subject to the operator’s current rules and the facilities on the selected vessel. Check pet areas, kennels, cabins and documentation before booking.
Follow the check-in deadline on your operator confirmation. Greek island ports can become very busy in summer, particularly when vehicles are loading.
Yes. Greek island frequencies and vessel assignments can change significantly by season. Always use the live booking result for your chosen travel date.
Kos to Piraeus ferry guide covers the opposite departure port, arrival arrangements and onward connections.
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.
Start your onward itinerary at the actual landing point in Kos. 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.
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.
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.
Select the correct passenger category before comparing Piraeus to Kos 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
Compare current sailings, passenger fares, vehicle prices and onboard options, then choose the crossing that works best for your journey.
about 12 hours
1 operator
Cars & passengers
Compare vessel comfort
