Superfast Ferries

Who they are

Superfast Ferries launched in 1995 with a simple premise: bring high-speed technology to the Adriatic car-ferry market. When the first Superfast vessel entered service on the Ancona–Patras route, it cut the crossing time by several hours compared to the conventional ferries of the day — a meaningful change for the hundreds of thousands of travellers making the journey each year.

Today Superfast is part of Attica Group alongside Blue Star Ferries, ANEK Lines and Hellenic Seaways. On the Adriatic, Superfast and ANEK frequently operate in joint service, sharing a pool of modern ro-pax vessels across the Italy–Greece corridor.

Network and main routes

Superfast's world is the Adriatic. The company's routes connect two Italian ports — Ancona (mid-Adriatic coast) and Bari (south of Italy) — with the Greek ports of Patras (gateway to the Peloponnese and Athens) and Igoumenitsa (gateway to Epirus and northern Greece). Most sailings call at both Igoumenitsa and Patras, making them useful for travellers bound for different parts of Greece.

The Adriatic crossings run year-round, which distinguishes Superfast from many Greek domestic operators whose schedules contract heavily in winter. Frequency increases significantly from June through September, when tourist and vehicle traffic peaks.

Fleet and on board

The Superfast fleet consists of purpose-built ro-pax vessels — large, fast ships that combine a multi-deck vehicle garage with well-appointed passenger accommodation. Vessel names follow the Superfast numbering convention (Superfast XI, Superfast XII and so on) and the fleet is regularly maintained and partially renewed.

Passenger facilities are a step above a basic overnight ferry. Expect a range of cabin types from basic aircraft-seat reclining lounges to outside cabins with windows or portholes; most vessels also carry suite-class cabins on longer sailings. Other amenities include a restaurant, self-service cafeteria, bars, a small casino on some ships, and — on newer vessels — a sun deck. Internet access is available on board.

The vehicle deck handles everything from motorcycles to overlanding trucks and campervans. For travellers doing a Europe road trip, the ferry is often the most comfortable leg of the journey.

Booking and tips

The Adriatic route is popular with three distinct groups: Greek emigrants and their families returning home for summer, international tourists driving to Greece, and freight operators moving goods across the corridor. All three compete for the same vehicle-deck space in July and August.

Book early if you are travelling with a car or campervan in peak season — vehicle space is the first to sell out, often months in advance for busy summer departures. Foot-passenger tickets are easier to find last-minute.

Fares are noticeably cheaper in the shoulder months (April–June and September–October) and cheapest of all in winter. If your itinerary is flexible, avoiding the July–August peak saves money and secures a calmer crossing.

Compare Superfast against Minoan Lines on the same Adriatic routes before booking — both offer broadly similar vessel quality on overlapping itineraries, and the departure time or cabin price may tip the decision one way. ANEK joint-service sailings are effectively the same product under a different booking portal.