Aegina from Athens is a practical day-trip plan: take the metro to Piraeus, then board a ferry to Aegina’s main port. Saronic Ferries runs daily routes throughout the year, and the crossing takes 1 hour 10 minutes.
- Port: Piraeus, Gate E8, for Aegina’s main port.
- Metro: Line 1 from Monastiraki to Piraeus takes 17 minutes.
- Ferry: The main-port crossing takes 1 hour 10 minutes.
- Minimum passenger fare: €12.
Choose a ferry departure from Piraeus
For the simplest Athens to Aegina plan, choose a Piraeus sailing to Aegina’s main port and build your day around its departure and return times. Saronic Ferries also serves Souvala, another port on Aegina.
The main-port crossing takes 1 hour 10 minutes; the crossing to Souvala takes 1 hour. Saronic Ferries says summer services to the main port leave almost every hour, but departure frequency varies during the year. The first route is generally around 07:20, while the last departure falls between 19:45 and 21:30 depending on season and passenger traffic.
Check the arrival port before choosing a sailing, since the two routes serve different parts of the island. For a day trip, compare the outbound and return options together so you know how much time the schedule leaves on Aegina.
How do you get from central Athens to Piraeus?
Take Line 1 from Monastiraki to Piraeus, then walk to Gate E8 for the Aegina ferry. The metro journey takes 17 minutes, and the walk from Piraeus station to Gate E8 takes five minutes.
Monastiraki station is about seven minutes on foot from the Hermes Superior Double/Twin Room, making it a useful starting point for this connection.
Line 1 trains from Piraeus run every six minutes during weekday morning and afternoon peak periods, and every 10 minutes 30 seconds on Saturdays and Sundays. The first train from Piraeus departs at 05:00 and the last at 00:15.
Service intervals and hours can affect your connection, so allow time between the metro and ferry rather than planning to arrive at the port at the last minute.
What to plan for a day on Aegina
Aegina’s main port is the arrival point for the main-port ferry. Aegina has a KTEL bus service and taxis.
If you plan to travel beyond the port area, check local transport options before choosing your ferry times. Aegina KTEL’s number is +30 22970 22787 and Aegina Taxi’s number is +30 22970 22635.
Ferry tickets, timetables and seasonal changes
Book or check your sailing with Saronic Ferries, which sells tickets online and at departure-port kiosks. Its Piraeus ticket kiosk is at Gate E8. The minimum passenger fare for Aegina’s main port is €12; adult fares are €12 to the main port and €11 to Souvala.
Car fares for the main-port route are €29 for cars up to 4.5 metres and €32 for cars over 4.5 metres. Vehicle fares vary by destination and vehicle size.
Reduced fares include a 50% discount for Greek university students and ISIC cardholders, passengers with disabilities over 80%, and children aged 5–10; children under 5 travel free. The 30% return discount applies to the return leg of Piraeus–Aegina–Piraeus round trips operated Monday through Friday and cannot be combined with other discounts.
Ferries on the main-port route can carry passengers, cars, motorbikes and bicycles. Before you go, check the ferry operator’s official site for current fares, sailing times and ticket conditions.
Allowing time for the return journey
Plan your return around the ferry timetable and allow enough time before boarding. Saronic Ferries advises arriving at Piraeus 20–40 minutes before departure and says its ferries leave on time. Its last Aegina-bound departure varies by season and passenger traffic, so don’t assume a single fixed final sailing.
For the journey back to Athens, check the metro service as well as the ferry schedule. A ferry’s arrival time and the onward Line 1 connection determine how the return fits together; allow a buffer rather than relying on a tight transfer.
FAQs
How long is the ferry from Piraeus to Aegina?
The crossing to Aegina’s main port takes 1 hour 10 minutes. The Piraeus–Souvala crossing takes 1 hour.
How much is a ferry ticket to Aegina?
Adult fares are €12 to Aegina’s main port and €11 to Souvala. Fares and discounts can change, so verify them with the operator before booking.
Where do ferries to Aegina leave from in Piraeus?
The Piraeus–Aegina routes leave from Gate E8, a five-minute walk from Piraeus station.