Andros to Rafina Ferry Tickets
The ferry from Andros to Rafina is operated by 3 ferry companies (Fast Ferries, Golden Star Ferries and Seajets), with up to 4 departures a day and a journey time starting from 1 hour. Ships leave from Gavrio, the port of Andros, and sail into Rafina, on the east coast of Attica.
Andros is the northernmost island of the Cyclades. That is why Rafina, rather than the large port of Athens, is the natural gateway home for anyone finishing a holiday on the island or travelling for work. If you want to combine this trip with other routes from the island, you will find all the ferry tickets for Andros in one place.
Andros to Rafina Ferry Timetable
The first departure from Gavrio is at 09:25 and the last one is at 18:05. So you can choose between a morning crossing, which leaves you the whole day in Attica, and a later one, which gives you time for a final swim on the island. Times change with the season.
Information about the Andros to Rafina Route
Over a week, the Andros to Rafina route has 27 sailings per week. The quickest crossing takes 1 hour. Ferry tickets start from €19.70 for the cheapest passenger seat.
Tickets are issued electronically. Pets are also allowed on board.
The Andros to Rafina ferry route is operated by 3 companies, with up to 4 departures per day and a journey time from 1 hour.
| Route | Andros - Rafina |
|---|---|
| Ferry companies | Fast Ferries, Golden Star Ferries, Seajets |
| Vessels | Andros Queen, Champion Jet 3, Fast Ferries Andros, Superstar |
| Journey time | 1 hour to 2 hours |
| Departures per day | 3 to 4 |
| First and last departure | 09:25 and 18:05 |
| Indicative fare | from €19.70 |
| Vehicles | Yes |
| Pets | Yes |
| E-ticket | Yes |
To find information about the route you want, search with the bookferry.gr form at the top of the page.
Which ferry companies and ships run the Andros to Rafina route?
The route from Gavrio to Rafina is served by Fast Ferries, Golden Star Ferries and Seajets. The fleet includes Andros Queen, Champion Jet 3, Fast Ferries Andros and Superstar.
You will find two types of ship on this route. There are conventional car and passenger ferries, with a large garage and indoor lounges, and there are high speed craft, which save time at sea but have more limited outdoor space. The company you choose often decides the type of ship as well.
Fast Ferries serves Andros with conventional car ferries, which carry passengers together with cars and motorbikes. It is a good option if you are heading back to Attica in your own vehicle.
Golden Star Ferries runs ships from Rafina to the Cyclades and has Andros among its calls, so on the way back to Attica the ship may be coming from islands further south.
Seajets sails with high speed craft. On the route from Andros to Rafina it is the choice for travellers who want to spend less time at sea.
Fast or conventional ferry to Rafina?
The fastest trip from Andros to Rafina takes 1 hour, while the slowest takes as long as 2 hours. The time depends on the type of ship and on whether it calls at another island before reaching Gavrio or straight after leaving it.
A fast ship suits people travelling with hand luggage only who need to make an appointment in Athens the same day. Conventional ferries are usually preferred by families with a car, by anyone prone to seasickness and by passengers who like to walk on deck and get some fresh air during the crossing. Both types run the same route, so the decision comes down to your needs, not the port.
When you book, check whether the ship you choose carries vehicles.
Ferry Prices, Tickets and Availability from Andros to Rafina
For schedules and prices from Andros to Rafina, the ferry tickets search on bookferry.gr shows every company together. The lowest passenger fare starts from €19.70, and the price for the day you want appears in the booking form.
Five factors shape the cost. First comes the company, since each ferry operator has its own pricing policy. Next is the type of ship, because the same trip usually costs more on a high speed craft than on a conventional ferry. Then come the seat type (deck, airline seat, or a cabin where available), the season and your vehicle, if you take one with you.
At the end of summer weekends and after long weekends, many visitors leave Andros at the same time. The cheapest seats and the vehicle spaces sell out first on those days, so it pays to check availability for your return early.
Discounts
Ferry companies offer reduced fares to certain groups of passengers, with conditions and supporting documents that vary. Before you book a reduced ticket, check the terms of the company running your ship and carry the document that proves your discount, because you may be asked for it at boarding.
Online ferry tickets and electronic tickets
You book through the search form at the top. Choose Andros as your departure port, Rafina as your destination and a date, compare the departures and pay by card. Any offers from the companies appear in the search results.
Andros to Rafina tickets are issued electronically and sent to you by email after payment. How you board is set by the terms of each company.
Car and Motorbike Ticket Prices from Andros to Rafina
The route takes cars and motorbikes. Your vehicle travels in the ship’s garage and you drive off with it in Rafina, ready to carry on by road to Athens or wherever you are going.The vehicle fare is charged separately from the tickets for the driver and passengers. It depends mainly on the category and length of the vehicle, so a small car, a caravan and a motorbike are all priced differently. The company and the type of ship also play a part. You see the exact amount in the booking form once you add your vehicle.
Garage space is limited, and on busy days towards Attica it sells out before passenger seats do, so book your vehicle first and think about your cabin or seat afterwards. Many visitors bring their own car to Andros, since the island is large and its villages are spread across it, and this pushes up demand for vehicle spaces on the return trip. If you are travelling with a dog or cat, the route accepts pets, under the carriage terms set by each company.
Departure Times and Frequency from Andros to Rafina
Ferries from Andros to Rafina run up to 4 departures a day and 27 sailings per week over the week. The earliest ship leaves Gavrio at 09:25, while the last one casts off at 18:05.
With this many options through the day, you can time your arrival in Rafina around whatever comes next. A morning departure works well if you have an afternoon flight. The last one is a good choice if you want to make the most of your final day on the island.
Demand rises in summer, so book early.
If you are travelling without a car, think about your onward journey from Rafina before you pick a time. Arriving late in the evening means fewer options for getting home or to your hotel in Athens.
Andros to Rafina ferries today and tomorrow
If you are looking for a ferry from Andros to Rafina today or tomorrow, enter the date in the bookferry.gr search form. You will see which ships still have seats, which times apply on that day and the price.
Journey Time and Stops from Andros to Rafina
The time at sea ranges from 1 hour to 2 hours, depending on the ship.
The journey time depends on the ship and on the stops along the route. Some ships reach Gavrio after calling at other Cycladic islands, so Andros is not always where they start. You can see all of the island’s connections together on the interactive ferry connections map.
This has a practical consequence. If a ship is delayed at an earlier port, the delay carries over to its departure from Andros and so to its arrival in Rafina. When you have a tight window for a flight or an appointment, choose a departure that leaves you plenty of margin.
In the same way, the ship home is not necessarily the one that brought you to the island. Check your booking to see which ship makes the trip, especially if you want one with a garage or cabins.
Weather, Beaufort scale and sailing bans
When the wind picks up, the port authorities may ban ships from sailing, either all of them or only certain types. The Greek Coast Guard announces each ban and its lifting in the news section of its website, which also covers the port of Rafina.
Before setting off for Gavrio on a very windy day, call the Gavrio Port Station or your ferry company. A quick call saves you a wasted trip to the port.
If your sailing is cancelled, Regulation (EU) No 1177/2010 on passenger rights lets you choose between travelling on another sailing and getting your fare refunded. Extra compensation for a delay is not owed when it is caused by weather conditions that put the safe operation of the ship at risk.
Keep your ticket and booking email until the change or refund has been completed.
Getting there and phone numbers at the port of Andros and the port of Rafina
Gavrio, the port of Andros
In Gavrio, Andros (postcode 84501), you will find the Gavrio Port Station, on 22820 71213. It reports to the Andros Port Authority, which is based in Chora (postcode 845 00) and can be reached on 22820 22250.
If you are staying in Chora, Batsi or Korthi, allow plenty of time for the drive to Gavrio, especially if you have booked a space for a vehicle.
The port of Rafina
The Rafina Central Port Authority is on Akti Andrea G. Papandreou, inside the port (postcode 19009), on 22943 21201. The Rafina Port Authority SA is on the same seafront road and answers on 22940 22840.
Once you step off the ship, ramps on the pavements lead you safely to the crossings and from there to the waiting areas, the ticket agencies, the toilets and the KTEL bus stop. Drivers with disabilities have dedicated parking spaces at the port entrance, as well as next to the administrative buildings and the Central Port Authority.
Exploring Nearby Islands and Island Hopping from Andros
Rather than heading straight back to Rafina, you can make Andros the first stop on a longer trip around the Cyclades. The island has direct connections to several destinations.
- Tinos. The neighbouring island to the south, ideal for one or two nights. See the Andros to Tinos ferries.
- Mykonos. One of the most popular destinations in the Aegean, with no need to change ships. The Andros to Mykonos ferries show your options.
- Syros. The capital of the Cyclades, lively all year round. Find the Andros to Syros ferries.
- Paros and Naxos. Further away, for those who want to reach the heart of the island group and carry on south from there.
- Kythnos and Kea. Islands of the western Cyclades, with less frequent connections.
Connections to the more distant islands are often seasonal, so check the dates before you plan your itinerary. A round trip, for example arriving on Andros, moving on to Tinos or Syros and returning to Attica from another island, needs a careful combination of times.
Return ferries from Rafina to Andros
For the trip in the other direction, the Rafina to Andros ferries bring together every departure to the island. Ferries from Rafina to Andros run up to 4 departures a day, with the first departure at 07:20.
If you want to know how long the Rafina to Andros ferry takes, or need tickets and prices for leaving from Attica, you will find them there. If you are booking a return trip, check both directions together so you are not left without a seat on your last day.
Get ready for your trip from Andros to Rafina
A little planning before you leave makes the trip back from Andros much calmer.
- Book early. Especially for a vehicle or a summer Sunday, booking a few days ahead secures you a place at the time you want.
- Plan your journey to Gavrio. The port is on the northwest side of the island. If you are staying in a village on the east coast, set off with plenty of time to spare.
- Carry your ID card or passport. It is checked at boarding, together with your ticket and any discount document.
- Get to the port in good time. Your company sets the check in time and states it in its terms, with a longer margin for anyone driving into the garage.
- Plan your onward journey from Rafina. Without a car, KTEL buses stop inside the port area. With your own vehicle, you drive straight out onto the road. If someone is picking you up, the port entrance is an easy meeting point.
- Keep an eye on the weather. On days with strong winds, contact the Gavrio Port Station before you leave your accommodation.
Frequently asked questions about the Andros to Rafina route
How long is the ferry from Andros to Rafina?
The time ranges from 1 hour on the fastest ships to 2 hours on the slowest. The difference comes from the type of ship and the stops it makes at other islands. The booking form shows the duration of each departure separately.
Which companies run the Andros to Rafina route?
The trip from Gavrio to Rafina is operated by 3 ferry companies (Fast Ferries, Golden Star Ferries and Seajets). The fleet includes conventional car ferries and high speed craft, so you can compare times, prices and journey length before booking your ticket through bookferry.gr.
What time is the first ferry from Andros to Rafina?
The first ship of the day leaves Andros at 09:25, while the latest departure is at 18:05. Times can vary from season to season, so confirm them for your travel date.
Can I take a car on the Andros to Rafina ferry?
Yes, the car ferries on this route carry cars and motorbikes. Add your vehicle when you book, so you see the final price and secure a space in the garage. At peak times for the return to Attica, vehicle spaces run out sooner than passenger seats.
What is the phone number of the Andros Port Authority?
The Andros Port Authority, in Chora, answers on 22820 22250. For questions about the departure port, call the Gavrio Port Station on 22820 71213. In Rafina, the Central Port Authority can be reached on 22943 21201.
What happens if there is a sailing ban?
The ship stays in port until the ban is lifted. If the company cancels the sailing, you are entitled to either a place on another sailing or a refund, under the European regulation on passenger rights. Check with your ferry company or the Coast Guard for updates.