Athens to Spetses: 5 Essential Tips for a Stress-Free Trip

Trying to figure out how to get from Athens to Spetses without opening 1,000 ferry tabs? Close the tabs; I’ve got you.

The easiest way to get to Spetses from Athens is by taking a ferry from Piraeus. The trip takes around 2 hours, depending on the ferry you book, and you’ll arrive in Dapia, Spetses’ main port, with Athens’ chaos far behind you.

I’ve made the trip myself, and let me tell you, Spetses immediately became my favorite of all the Saronic Islands.

So, I know a thing or two about taking the Athens to Spetses ferry, and all the extra deets you’ll want to know before you go.

Once we get through the boring logistics, head over to my Things to Do in Spetses post and start planning the fun stuff.

Πάμε (Let’s go in Greek)!

How to Get From Athens to Spetses

The easiest way to get from Athens to Spetses is by ferry from Piraeus Port. Another option is to drive from Athens toward Kosta in the Peloponnese, then take a short boat ride to Spetses.

Unless you already have a car or are road tripping around the Peloponnese, it’s best to keep it simple and hop on a ferry from Piraeus.

Athens to Spetses Ferry From Piraeus

For my visit, I took Alpha Lines’ Speed Cat I from Piraeus to Spetses, then Magic Sea Ferries back. Both trips took under 2 hours, so you can sip your freddo espresso in Athens in the morning and on an island before lunch arrives. Not too shabby.

One piece of advice: get to Piraeus early. Piraeus Port is really huge, ferries are everywhere, and it took me a little while to find the right one. Speed Cat I is a tiny ferry tucked into a huge port, and I eventually had to ask for help to know where the heck I was going.

Don’t assume that arriving at Piraeus means you’ve magically arrived at your ferry. I highly suggest giving yourself enough time to find the correct departure point so you don’t start your trip to Spetses with an unwanted cardio session through the port.

Once in Spetses, you’ll arrive in Dapia, the main port and heart of Spetses Town. From there, you can head straight to the fun part.

How Long Is the Ferry From Athens to Spetses?

The Athens to Spetses ferry usually takes around 2 hours, although the exact travel time really depends on the ferry you choose. Both of my crossings were slightly under that.

Both of my ferries stopped in Hydra along the way. So, if Spetses isn’t the only Saronic Island calling your name, you will want to read my Athens to Hydra day trip to see what that island looks like, too.

Some ferries make additional stops at other Saronic Islands, so double-check the total travel time when booking instead of impulsively choosing the first ferry you see.

How Much Does the Athens to Spetses Ferry Cost?

Ferry prices can change by company and season, so don’t plan your entire Greece budget around one exact number you found online six months ago.

My round-trip ticket during a September 2026 visit was around $130.

Compare the available ferries from Athens to Spetses for your travel dates because the fastest departure isn’t always the cheapest, and the cheapest isn’t necessarily the one that leaves when you actually want to wake up.

Which Ferry Companies Go From Athens to Spetses?

Several ferry companies operate between Piraeus and Spetses, including Alpha Lines and Magic Sea Ferries, although your selection will depend on your travel dates.

Schedules change throughout the year; you typically have more options in the summer. Always check the current schedule for your visit, and don’t rely on an old timetable you found floating online.

How to Get to Piraeus Port From Athens

Before you can escape Athens for Greek island life, you first need to get to Piraeus. Luckily, getting there from central Athens is pretty simple. Finding your ferry once you arrive? Well, that can be a whole other story.

Athens to Piraeus by Metro

The Metro is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to get from central Athens to Piraeus. Metro Line 3 (Blue Line) runs directly to Piraeus, from Syntagma and Monastiraki, and you won’t have to worry about changing trains.

You can also take Line 1 (Green Line) from Monastiraki to Piraeus.

Just please give yourself plenty of time once you arrive. I’m not exaggerating, Piraeus is a huge port, and your ferry may not be sitting conveniently outside the Metro station waiting for you with a giant “SPETSES” sign. Oh, that would be the dream, though.

Athens to Piraeus by Taxi

If you have luggage, are traveling really early, or simply don’t want to drag a suitcase through the Metro, grab a taxi. However, don’t hail one off the street; use an app like Uber or FreeNow so you can confirm your fare.

Travel time from central Athens depends heavily on traffic, so leave yourself some wiggle room. Athens traffic has absolutely no interest in your ferry departure time.

How Early Should You Arrive at Piraeus?

I suggest arriving at Piraeus at least an hour before departure, especially if it’s your first time using the port. Piraeus can be overwhelming.

Give yourself that extra time. Worst case, you find your ferry immediately and have time to grab a coffee. There are definitely worse problems to have in Greece.

Where Can You Store Luggage Before Your Ferry to Spetses?

If you have some time to kill before your ferry and don’t want to drag your suitcase around Athens or Piraeus, you have a few options.

Most hotels will hold your bags before check-in or after check-out. You can also find staffed luggage storage shops around Monastiraki and near Piraeus Gate E7.

If you’re already heading toward the port, Lockers4all and Radical Storage are other options for storing your luggage before leaving from Piraeus.

What Is the Ferry From Athens to Spetses Like?

My ferry ride from Athens to Spetses was pretty easy and comfortable both ways. There was assigned seating, so there isn’t a need to rush onboard and fight for a decent seat.

There was also a cafe onboard where you could grab coffee, drinks, and snacks during the trip. With the ferry taking around 2 hours, you’re really not onboard long enough to need much more than that.

What Happens With Your Luggage?

On my Alpha Lines ferry, they took my luggage before I boarded, so I didn’t have to drag it up the ramp or around the ferry.

If they don’t collect your luggage before boarding, you can leave it in the luggage storage area. Trust me, you’ll know where they go. Either way, you won’t have to sit there hugging your suitcase for 2 hours.

Is the Ferry Ride to Spetses Rough?

My crossings were really smooth, and I didn’t have any issues with the ride.

Of course, this is the sea we’re talking about, so conditions can vary depending on the weather. My experience was an easy ride both ways, but Greece clearly likes to keep us on our toes.

Arriving in Spetses

The ferry to Spetses drops you off in Dapia, which is the main port and center of Spetses Town. And this is one of the things I love about arriving here: you hop off the ferry, and you’re already in the action.

Just steps away are plenty of cafes, restaurants, shops, and places to grab that first celebratory drink. Because obviously you survived a 2-hour ferry ride and deserve one.

Getting Around Spetses

So one thing you won’t find in Spetses is the typical car rental situation. To be honest, you don’t need one anyway. Walking is easy around Dapia and Spetses Town, and you can also get around by taxi, water taxi, bike, e-bike, or scooter.

I rented an e-bike and rode around the entire island in under 2 hours, which ended up being one of my favorite things I did in Spetses. I stopped at quite a few beaches along the way and explored at my own pace.

If you want to plan some beach stops before you go, check out my favorites in my post Best Beaches in Spetses.

Can You Take a Day Trip From Athens to Spetses?

Yes, you can take a day trip from Athens to Spetses, especially if you snag an early ferry out of Piraeus and a later ferry back.

But would I do it? Nope!

With close to 4 hours of ferry travel round trip, plus getting to and from Piraeus, you’re giving up a decent chunk of your day to get there. And Spetses is one of those islands where you’ll be slightly annoyed when it’s time to leave.

I highly recommend staying at least one night if your itinerary allows you. That gives you time to explore Spetses Town, sunbathe at a beach, rent an e-bike, and actually enjoy the island without constantly checking your watch to make sure you don’t miss your ferry back to Athens. See places to stay in Spetses here.

For ideas on other islands nearby, take a look at my island day trips from Athens to help you decide. Some islands are much better suited to a quick round trip from the capital.

Another Way to Get From Athens to Spetses

As I mentioned earlier, taking a ferry from Piraeus isn’t your only option. You can also drive from Athens to Kosta, a small port on the Peloponnese, directly across from Spetses. From there, you take a short boat ride to the island.

The drive from Athens takes around 2.5 to 3 hours, depending on traffic. Once you reach Kosta, the crossing to Spetses is much shorter than taking the ferry all the way from Piraeus.

Would I choose this route if I were already staying in Athens? No. By the time you drive all the way to Kosta, park, and cross over, taking the direct ferry from Piraeus is way simpler.

But if you’re already road tripping around the Peloponnese, this route can make a lot of sense. Just remember that private cars are heavily restricted on Spetses, so you’ll generally be leaving your car behind before heading to the island.

Booking Your Ferry to Spetses

I recommend booking your ferry to Spetses online before you go to Piraeus, especially if you’re visiting Greece in the summer. It’s one less thing to figure out at the port, and trust me, Piraeus already gives you plenty to figure out.

How Far in Advance Should You Book?

If you’re traveling during July or August, please don’t wait until the morning of your trip and hope for the best. Ferries fill up quickly, especially on weekends and during Greek holidays.

Outside of peak season, you can be a little more flexible, but I still prefer booking ahead. When I am going on a trip, I don’t want to gamble on whether the ferry has a seat. That really isn’t how I want my Greek adventure to begin.

Do You Need to Print Your Ferry Ticket?

Most ferry companies now offer electronic tickets, so you can keep them handy on your phone, but check your specific ferry company’s instructions after booking.

Please download or screenshot your ticket before heading to the port. That way, you’re not standing there trying to load an email while your phone suddenly decides it has never heard of the internet.

Athens to Spetses FAQs

Is It Worth Visiting Spetses?

Absolutely. Spetses quickly became my favorite of the Saronic Islands, and I’ve visited them all. It has everything! Beautiful beaches, a walkable town, waterfront restaurants, and plenty to explore, all without needing a car.

I’d especially recommend Spetses if you want an island that’s easy to reach from Athens but still feels like you’ve actually escaped the chaos of Athens.

What Is Better, Hydra or Spetses?

Oof, now this is a tough question because I really like both.

Hydra is stunning, completely car-free, and ridiculously photogenic, while Spetses has more beaches and is easier to explore by bike or e-bike. Personally, Spetses wins for me, but it just depends on what your ideal Greek island getaway is.

I break down all the deets between the two in my Hydra or Spetses post.

How Do I Get to Spetses, Greece?

If you’re coming from Athens, you need to take a ferry from Piraeus directly to Spetses. You can also drive from Athens to Kosta in the Peloponnese and take a short boat crossing from there.

How Long Does the Ferry From Piraeus to Spetses Take?

The ferry from Piraeus to Spetses is around 2 hours, depending on the vessel and route.

Both of my trips were just a tad under 2 hours. Alpha Lines’ Speed Cat I took about 1 hour and 50 minutes, while my return with Magic Sea Ferries took around 1 hour and 55 minutes.

Ready to Head to Spetses?

Getting from Athens to Spetses is much easier than it might look when you first start planning and looking through ferry schedules. All you really gotta do is get yourself to Piraeus, make sure you have time to spare, find your ferry, grab a freddo espresso for the ride, and in about 2 hours, you’ll be in complete bliss on a Greek island.

And trust me, the ferry ride is the boring part. Spetses is where the true adventure begins.

Since your camera roll is about to go into overtime, save my Greek island captions for when you inevitably need something better than “Take me back 🇬🇷” for Instagram.

Πολλά φιλιά (Many kisses)!