Excursion boats at the jetty of Delos

Delos · Getting there

How to get to Delos

There is no harbour town, no road and no bed on Delos, so the only way to see it is as a day trip by boat. Almost everyone comes from Mykonos, about 2 km to the east: boats leave from the old port in Chora and land you at the ancient Sacred Harbour half an hour later. Summer excursions also come from Naxos, and travel agencies on Paros and Tinos sell day trips too. Boats run from April to November; in winter there is no scheduled service, and on days of strong north wind even summer sailings can be cancelled.

By plane

Fly to Mykonos, then take the boat

Delos has no airport. Fly to Mykonos and spend at least one night there, so that you can catch a morning boat without racing a flight.

JMK

Mykonos

Mykonos, about 4 km from Chora

Flights from Athens all year, and direct seasonal flights from much of Europe in summer.

Into town: Taxi or bus to Chora, then walk to the old port for the Delos boat.

ATH

Athens “Eleftherios Venizelos”

Spata, east of Athens

Flights from all over Europe and beyond, all year.

Into town: Bus or taxi to Rafina, the closest port, or the metro to Piraeus, then the ferry to Mykonos.

By ferry

To Mykonos first

Ferries from Athens go to Mykonos, not to Delos. Big ferries and fast boats dock at the new port of Tourlos, north of Chora; the Delos boats leave from the old port in town, so allow time to get there.

  • Rafina Mykonos

    The shortest crossing from Athens, by fast boat or conventional ferry, usually calling at Andros and Tinos.

    Duration
    ≈ 2–4.5 h
    How often
    Several a day in summer

  • Piraeus Mykonos

    Fast boats and conventional ferries, often via Syros and Tinos.

    Duration
    ≈ 2.5–5.5 h
    How often
    Daily

Island hopping

Onward from Delos

When you land

Good to know on arrival

  • Two tickets

    Your boat ticket only gets you across. The site ticket, €20 (reduced €10), including the museum, is bought at the entrance on Delos; keep it, as it is checked again at the museum door. Some days of the year are free, among them the last weekend of September.

  • Check the hours the day before

    Opening hours are set by the Ministry of Culture and change with the season. In recent summers heatwaves have also closed archaeological sites in the middle of the day, so check the ministry's notices and your boat's return time before you go. Older guidebooks say the site shuts on Mondays; in 2026 the Mykonos boats sail on Mondays too, which they would not do to a locked island, but a Monday is still the day to double-check.

  • No shade, no mercy

    There are almost no trees on Delos and the marble throws back the sun. Take at least a litre and a half of water each, a hat, sunscreen and shoes with a grip: the paths are stone and the steps up Kynthos are loose.

  • Don't miss the last boat

    Nobody may stay on Delos overnight, and guards clear the site before the last boat leaves. Note the time of your return sailing as soon as you land and be at the jetty a good 15 minutes before it.

Times and frequencies are typical for the summer season and change every year. Check the current timetable before you book.

Now find your bed on Delos

Rooms with a view, picked for how they feel, not for star ratings.

See where to stay

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