Getting from Athens to Rafina

If you are heading to Rafina from Athens you are making your way to the second most important ferry port serving the capital, a small and unpretentious fishing town on the northeastern Attica coast that most visitors to Greece pass through without stopping. Rafina has a genuine charm of its own, with a working harbour lined with fish restaurants that are among the best value seafood in the greater Athens area. It is also the closest port to Athens International Airport and the departure point for ferries to Andros, Tinos, Mykonos and several other Cycladic islands, making it an essential hub for anyone heading to those islands directly from the airport.

Getting there by air

Rafina has no airport of its own. Athens International Airport is around 25 kilometres to the southwest and the two are directly connected by KTEL bus, taking around 30 minutes and running frequently throughout the day. This is the most important connection for travellers using Rafina as a ferry hub from the airport.

Take the train, bus or drive

The drive from central Athens to Rafina takes around 30 to 40 minutes depending on traffic via the Attiki Odos motorway. The KTEL bus from central Athens runs regularly to Rafina taking around 1 hour. There is no train service to Rafina.

Take the ferry

There is no ferry from Athens to Rafina. Rafina is the ferry port itself and the departure point for connections to Andros, Tinos, Mykonos, Naxos and other Cycladic islands.

Your best option

If you are coming from Athens Airport, take the KTEL bus directly to Rafina. It is fast, inexpensive and drops you close to the ferry terminal. If you are coming from central Athens, drive or take the bus. The journey is short enough that it rarely causes problems even with a ferry to catch.