The nearest airport is Athens (Eleftherios Venizelos), one of the few positive legacies of the 2004 Olympics, served by a range of scheduled and low cost carriers (but not UK charter airlines who are deterred by the high landing fees).
From the airport, the most pleasant route to Poros is by fast ferry from Athens’ main ferry port in Piraeus. However, the ferries stop around 7pm in high season, about 6pm in low season, so later arrivals may have to use land transport which is available around the clock.
It’s not as complicated as it sounds but if it’s all too difficult don’t worry; if you’ve chartered a yacht from Poros the operators can arrange transfers for you. They arrange these at cost. If going via the ferry, the journey between the airport and port will be by taxi/minibus so works out more expensive than if you make your own way using the frequent Express Airport Bus or Metro. If going by road, they have an excellent deal with a local taxi firm – the only cheaper option may be a one way self drive car hire.
If you would like a quote for the operators transfers, please let me know your flight details. They can also arrange transfers to/from Athens city centre hotels. Let me know the hotel name and address if you would like a quote for this.
Getting there by ferry
First you need to get from Athens Airport to the main port of Piraeus. You have three options:
- By taxi – the rank is right outside the Arrivals Hall at the left hand end (as you walk out of the terminal). The journey normally takes 40-50 minutes though can be longer in rush hour. Price is around 60€ during the day but between midnight and 5am can be half as much again. (You can calculate current fares on the Athens Airport Taxi website). Taxis will only take 4 people though you may only get three in if you have lots of luggage.
Piraeus, Athens: Poros ferries with a Flying Dolphin nearest camera and a newer Fast Catamaran behind
- By express bus – the X96 departs from right outside the Arrivals Hall at the right hand end (as you walk out of the terminal). Departures are every 15-20 minutes during the day, around every 30-40 minutes at night. The journey usually takes about an hour and a quarter but is very traffic dependent – I’ve done it in less than an hour but a couple of trips have been over an hour and a half. The price has sky-rocketed from 1.20€ to 6€, still a good deal. Tickets can be bought at the kiosk next to the stop or from the driver and then need to be validated by waving in front of one of the machines on board.
- By Metro train – the other great legacy of the Olympics! The station is just across the road from the Arrivals Hall. You will need to change train at Monastiraki on to the Green line (line 1) – don’t worry, station signs are dual language so easily read. Trains depart every half hour from around 6am to 11.30pm. Tickets are a little more expensive than the bus.
At Pireaus, most of the ferries to Poros are operated by Hellenic Seaways, part of Blue Star Ferries. They depart from the quay between gates E8 and E9. It’s about a 2 minute walk from the bus stop or 10 minutes from the nearest Metro stations. The fast ferries (catamarans or hydrofoils) are painted red and blue (2025) and leave from the corner where the quay bends. The slower ferries (ships) are painted blue and leave from the quay area nearer gate E8.
Fast ferry tickets can be booked in advance via the Hellenic Seaways website and this is recommended in high season, though the schedule (and so the booking facility) is not always available until a few months before departure. The fast ferries do get full in high season, especially the later departures – I’d aim to book at least a week before you travel. Tickets are 36€ one way (2025).
You can now print your boarding card on line then just turn up and board. However, note that the ferries aim to leave at the scheduled time, so the boarding ramp may be removed 5 minutes earlier.
If you’ve not booked ahead, tickets are sold at the booths opposite the ferries. In high season when the ferry may be full, aim to get there at least half a hour early – there are often some tickets returned.
I’ve never known the slow ferry get full but if you want to check times and prices the operator is Saronic Ferries. They are often notoriously late issuing timetables but the usual departure is around 09:00-10:00 in the morning, too early for most Saturday flight arrivals.
Note there are two new upstart fast ferry companies; Alpha Lines and Magic Sea, both of which offer a limited (one trip per day) service to Poros. These depart around 15:00 and 16:00 respectively (2025).
Piraeus, Athens: Poros ferry tickets are sold at the booth, right, at the window nearest the camera.
Fast ferries take about an hour and are 36€ (single). There is talk of them offering reduced rates for return tickets (2025). Slow ferries take about 2.5 hours but cost around half the fast ferry fare.
Fast ferry tickets have seat numbers. These are fairly universally ignored, but don’t be afraid to invite people to get out of your booked seats – they will have seats reserved elsewhere. Don’t get off at the wrong island – some ferries stop at Aegina and/or Methana en route to Poros.
On disembarking in Poros, turn right and walk along the front – the charter base is about a 10 minute walk. If you want a taxi, get off the fast ferry and turn left to the taxi rank (or from the slow ferry just look out for silver Mercedes). Often a member of the base staff will meet arrivals and may organise a vehicle for the bags.
I’m conscious the above makes it sound a bit of a palava but it’s really not as complex as it sounds. On the down side, it’s not fast if you’re unlucky and have to wait around at Pireaus for an hour or two for a ferry. Time to adjourn to one of the many cafe’s or bars!
Getting there by road
This requires less organisation but is more expensive and involves 2.5 hours sat in a taxi or minibus, despite the recent road improvements. You do however get a comfort break at Corinth, giving a chance to see the Canal. Alternatively you can hire a car.
A taxi from the airport to Galitas will cost about 240-300€ (depending in part on the time of day). If you haven’t agreed a fixed price with the driver before you set off, make sure the meter is turned on! From Galitas it’s a short water taxi ride to go the few hundred metres across the water to Poros. The water taxis run pretty much around the clock and the fare is about 1.50 Euros. They drop off next to the fast ferry quay so turn right to walk to the charter base (it’s about 15 minutes), or left to the taxi rank. Note that the taxis on Poros do not run all night and you’re unlikely to find one after midnight.
If you’re chartering from Poros and need a road transfer, I recommend you let the charter company arrange it. They have a deal with a local taxi firm that works out cheaper than just taking a cab of the rank at the airport.
If you fancy driving yourself, Pop’s Car (I presume he only had one when he decided on the company name) offer one way hires between the Airport and Galitas, then take the water taxi across to Poros as above.