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Ferries to Hydra: Route Map

Trade your car for a donkey on this strictly vehicle-free island, accessible via a two-hour fast ferry from the busy port of Piraeus. Blue Star Ferries and Alpha Lines dominate this route, shuttling hundreds of thousands of foot passengers across the Saronic Gulf every year. You simply step off the high-speed catamaran right onto the cobblestone harbor, completely ready to explore by foot. This convenient transit link also makes it incredibly easy to continue your journey south to Spetses or to Poros.

How to get to Hydra from Athens

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Piraeus ↔ Porto Heli

Magic Sea Ferries · 2h 30mfast

🚗 ✕🚐 ✕Stopover: Aegina → Methana → Poros (Saronic Islands) → Hydra → SpetsesFrom €45

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Piraeus ↔ Porto Heli

Blue Star Ferries · 3h

🚗 ✕🚐 ✕Stopover: Poros (Saronic Islands) → Hydra → Ermioni → SpetsesFrom €52

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Piraeus ↔ Spetses

Alpha Line · 2hfast

🚗 ✕🚐 ✕Stopover: Poros (Saronic Islands) → HydraFrom €39

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The Car Free Classic: Traveling to Hydra

Hydra is completely free of cars and scooters. The largest ferry operators in the region include Hellenic Seaways and Alpha Lines. Because no vehicles are allowed, every boat going to Hydra is a passenger only vessel.

From Athens: Boats leave from Piraeus Port at Gate E8. The trip takes 1.5 to 2 hours. The new Aero catamarans are very smooth and comfortable.
The Peloponnese Shortcut: If you are doing a road trip on the Greek mainland, you do not need to go back to Athens. You can park your car at the port of Metochi or Ermioni. The boat ride from Metochi to Hydra takes only 20 minutes.
Pricing (2026): A one way ticket from Athens to Hydra is usually around €36 to €40. The short taxi boat from Metochi is much cheaper, costing around €7.

⚠️ Expert Alert: Pack Light!
You cannot bring a car, a scooter, or even a bicycle to Hydra. When you get off the boat, you must walk to your hotel. Many hotels are up steep cobblestone steps. If your bag has wheels, it will be very hard to pull. Pack a backpack or hire a local porter with a handcart at the dock.

“Do not just show up at Piraeus in the summer hoping for a ticket. Hydra is a massive weekend trip for Athenians. Friday afternoon boats going to the island, and Sunday afternoon boats coming back, sell out completely. Buy your tickets online a few days before.”