Greek Island Ferry Tickets Increase Again Third Time This Year

For a third time this year, Greek ferryboat operators servicing the Greek islands increased fares by as much as 8 percent starting July 1 in the midst of the tourist season.

In total, after this week’s 5-8 percent rise, the price of ferry tickets to the Greek islands have increase by a massive 25-34 percent compared to the beginning of the year.

The first increase came into effect in April with ticket prices up by 10 to 12 percent, followed by a second hike in June by 5 to 10 percent.

Coastal shipping companies are citing the surge in fuel costs which now account for 70 percent of ferryboat operating costs compared to 40 percent a year ago.

Indicatively, a single ticket no vehicle included from Piraeus to Naxos now costs 51.50 euros, up by 7.29 percent from 48 euros last month.

Photo Source: GTP

The ticket from Piraeus to Paros now costs 50 euros from 46.50 euros; from Piraeus to Patmos, 55 euros from 52.50 euros; from Piraeus to Rhodes, 91 euros from 86.50 euros; from Piraeus to Ios now 54 euros from 50 euros; from Piraeus to Mykonos 52.50 euros from 48.50 euros; from Piraeus to Ikaria 58.50 euros from 54.50 euros; and from Piraeus to Syros 45.50 euros from 42.50 euros.

Ticket prices from the port of Rafina to Tinos remain the same, with a single ticket costing 35 euros and to Mykonos 38 euros. Round-trip ferry fares for a four-member family plus car to Naxos now cost 644 euros.

Greek Shipping Minister Yiannis Plakiotakis

Commenting on the ticket hikes, Shipping Minister Yiannis Plakiotakis said it was a global problem affecting not only coastal shipping. The minister did not rule out a fourth price increase in the coming months, adding that everything will depend on how the energy crisis will pan out.

“We are well aware that every Greek household is suffering as a result of the global energy crisis. The government has been trying to deal with the issue with targeted interventions and measures budgeted at 6 billion euros,” he said.

Meanwhile, in protest to the ferry fare hikes, Greek island agencies, unions and community organizations announced a demonstration outside the shipping ministry today.

“There is no end to the increases in ferry tickets. A holiday to the islands has become a luxury for the working-class Greek family,” they said in a statement calling for immediate actions that will “protect coastal transport based on the needs of passengers and seafarers”.