Ferry from Piraeus to Milos
A completely different way of getting to Milos is via ferry from Piraeus. From a factual point of view, the arguments for the flight outweigh the arguments for the ferry: Much faster, no transfer from the airport to the ferry port and less hassle with luggage. But when it comes to emotions, the ferry comes into play! The transfer takes a few hours, and the journey is also the destination. You leave the pulsating metropolis of Athens behind, slowly immerse yourself in the tranquillity of the Aegean Sea and approach the eagerly awaited Greek islands. This effect is particularly impressive if you have first spent a few nights in Athens. A stay in the city puts you in the holiday mood, but not quite at rest. And it shouldn't, because Athens is a pulsating city that never really sleeps, full of sensory impressions, crowds and traffic. This hustle and bustle reaches its peak at the port of Piraeus. Everything gets even more crowded here, travellers swarm out of the metro station, a yellow train of taxis meanders through the port area, people and vehicles wait and finally push their way onto the ferries. And the whole process also in opposite direction, of course.
Ferry tickets
Ferry tickets can be bought at a travel agency or directly from the respective ferry company; there should be no price difference.
Pirounakis Travel Office in Milos provides an up-to-date overview of ferry connections to and from Milos on its website. If you take the ferry from Milos, you can also conveniently buy your tickets directly there. Pirounakis is located right at the port in Adamas.
Ferry schedules to and from Milos: milostravel.gr/dromologia/
Port codes: TZE (Piraeus) - ADA (Adamas, Milos)
Orientation in the port of Piraeus
You can't really get lost in the ferry port area. However, as the area is very large, it makes sense to get an overview before arriving in Piraeus. Especially of the location of the various gates, the entrances to the otherwise fenced-in port area. Depending on the ferries’ destinations, they have specific docking points on the quay. If you make sure which gate you need to go to when you book your tickets, you may save yourself a long walk around the harbour basin.
Location of the gates:
www.olp.gr/images/site/pyles.jpg and www.olp.gr/images/stories/info_port2.jpg
The trip along the Western Cyclades
Ferries between Piraeus and Milos travel along the so-called Western Cyclades route. Common stopovers are the islands of Serifos and Sifnos, sometimes also Kythnos and Kimolos. Of course, such a stopover is time consuming, but it is simply part of the experience to watch the hustle and bustle from the deck. The loading ramp has barely touched down on the pier after the sometimes-tricky mooring manoeuvre when cars and pedestrians stream out of the ferry’s belly. At the same time, the port police and ferry staff direct all those whose journey on the ferry begins at this point. While you are still busy watching the traffic winding its way through the harbour town, the ramp lifts again and the journey continues. The striking, distinctive scent of the Greek islands is already wafting from the deck as you approach one of the other islands. The same scent that awaits you in Milos. Now, you have almost reached your destination.
Travel time by ferry
The modern ferries from Seajets take about 4 hours to cover the distance between Piraeus and Milos, with stops in between. On the rarer occasions, when they travel non-stop, they can complete the distance in just 3 hours. The large "Crete ferries" that stop only in Milos on their way between Piraeus and Crete (Heraclion or Chania) need also 4 hours. The classic ferries such as Dionysios Solomos need much longer, the journey takes up to 7 hours.
Update 08/26