Mykonos has two ports, and turning up at the wrong one is one of the most common — and expensive — mistakes visitors make. The short answer: large ferries leave from the New Port (Tourlos), about 2 km north of Mykonos Town, while the Old Port in town handles only small local boats and excursion craft.
If you're connecting from a flight to an island-hopping ferry, this guide explains exactly which port you need, how to reach it, and how not to miss your boat.
Quick answer: which Mykonos port do you need?
| You're catching… | Port | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Big ferry to Athens, Santorini, Paros, Naxos, Crete | New Port (Tourlos) | ~2 km N of Mykonos Town |
| High-speed catamaran (Seajets, Golden Star, etc.) | New Port (Tourlos) | ~2 km N of Mykonos Town |
| Small local boat / Delos excursion | Old Port | Edge of Mykonos Town |
| Private water taxi / day cruise | Old Port | Edge of Mykonos Town |
Check your ferry ticket — modern operators print the port name, but older or third-party bookings sometimes just say "Mykonos". When in doubt, assume the New Port for any scheduled inter-island ferry.
New Port (Tourlos) — almost all ferries
The New Port at Tourlos opened to take the large modern ferries that the cramped Old Port couldn't handle. It sits roughly 2 km north of Mykonos Town and is where you'll go for:
- Conventional ferries (Blue Star and similar) to Athens (Piraeus / Rafina)
- High-speed catamarans to Santorini, Paros, Naxos, Ios, Crete and other Cyclades
- Most cruise ships
It has ticket offices, parking, car-rental desks, cafés and a taxi rank. Arrive with time to spare in peak season — the port gets busy and boarding for big ferries closes well before departure.
Old Port — small boats only
The Old Port sits right on the edge of Mykonos Town, an easy walk from the windmills and Little Venice. These days it serves only:
- Small local boats and water taxis
- Excursion boats to Delos (the famous archaeological island) and Rhenia
- Some beach-hopping boats in summer
If your ticket is for a scheduled island-to-island ferry, it is almost certainly not leaving from here. Do not rely on the Old Port for onward travel.
How to get to the New Port
Several options connect Mykonos Town and the airport to the New Port at Tourlos:
- Sea Bus — a small passenger boat shuttles between the Old Port (town) and the New Port for roughly €2, running frequently in season. The quickest way if you're already in town.
- KTEL public bus — buses run from Fabrika and the Old Port area to the New Port; cheap but luggage space is limited.
- Taxi — from Mykonos Town about €10–15; remember Mykonos taxis are usually cash-only.
- Straight from the airport — see below.
Straight from Mykonos Airport to the ferry port
If you land and need to catch a ferry the same day, you don't need to detour through Mykonos Town. A direct airport-to-ferry-port transfer takes you straight to the New Port at Tourlos in about 10–15 minutes — roughly €18–25 by taxi or €30–40 for a fixed-fare private transfer.
This is the safest option when your flight-to-ferry connection is tight: a pre-booked transfer guarantees a vehicle and a fixed price, so you're not stuck in the airport taxi queue while your ferry boards.
Don't miss your ferry: timing tips
- Build in a buffer. Aim to reach the New Port at least 45–60 minutes before a big ferry, 30 minutes for a fast catamaran.
- Account for summer traffic. The 2 km from town to Tourlos can crawl in August — leave earlier than the distance suggests.
- Collect paper tickets if required. Some operators still need you to swap an e-ticket for a boarding pass at the port office.
- Confirm the port the day before. A quick check saves a frantic, expensive taxi dash between the two ports.
Get the port right and the Mykonos ferry connection is smooth. Get it wrong and you're paying for a last-minute taxi — or missing the boat entirely.