Athens to Rhodes Ferry
Piraeus (Athens) → Rhodes
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- Conventional crossing
- ~13–17 h
- Frequency
- Daily in summer, 4–5 weekly in winter
- Carries cars
- Yes (on the car ferry)
Crossing times and frequency are typical ranges and vary by season and operator. Check the operator or Direct Ferries for current sailings before booking.
Where it leaves from
Ferries to Rhodes sail from Piraeus, Athens's main port (about 40 minutes from the city centre by metro). The boat docks at Rhodes Town (Kolona Harbour), right beside the medieval Old Town — one of the best-preserved walled cities in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Taxis, buses and rental offices are all immediately at hand.
A long overnight crossing
The distance from Piraeus to Rhodes spans much of the eastern Aegean, so these are genuine overnight voyages of 13 to 17 hours. The variation depends on whether your sailing makes stops at intermediate Dodecanese islands such as Kos, Kalymnos or Leros. Blue Star routes calling at multiple islands will take longer but can be combined into a multi-island trip if you disembark at an intermediate port. Non-stop or fewer-stop services are the shortest options.
What to expect on board
Blue Star Ferries operates large modern vessels with multiple cabin grades, a cafeteria, bar, and open deck space. For overnight travel, a cabin berth is worth the extra cost — four-berth or two-berth options exist, with private en-suite cabins at the top end. Booking a cabin is especially important in peak July–August when sailings are full. Bringing a car? Car deck space should also be reserved well in advance.
Rhodes and the Dodecanese
Rhodes is the gateway to the Dodecanese island chain. From the port you can pick up local ferries to Kos, Symi, Patmos, Tilos and other smaller islands. The medieval city of Rhodes is easily explored on foot; the Acropolis of Lindos is a half-day trip by bus or motorbike along the east coast road.
Ports & terminals
- Piraeus (Athens)View on map →
- RhodesView on map →
Port guides
Related ferry routes
Frequently asked questions
- How long is the ferry from Athens to Rhodes?
- The conventional ferry from Piraeus to Rhodes takes approximately 13 to 17 hours depending on the route and number of intermediate stops. Most sailings are overnight.
- Is there a high-speed ferry from Athens to Rhodes?
- No scheduled high-speed service covers the full distance at present. The conventional Blue Star overnight ferry is the standard option.
- Should I book a cabin for the Athens–Rhodes ferry?
- For an overnight crossing of 13 or more hours, a cabin is strongly recommended over deck or airline-style seating. Cabin grades from four-berth economy to private two-berth are available.