Best way to get to Sifnos
Getting to Sifnos
You’ll want to find out how to get to Sifnos after reading about the attractions of Sifnos (if you need more persuasion, read about Sifnos Island here) and this information will help you understand the best ways to get to Sifnos.
Vogue magazine voted it one of the best places to visit in 2024 and noted that Dua Lipa and Margot Robbie had both visited in 2023. They failed to mention that ex Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison also visited last year but maybe I can understand why they did.
I’m not sure how Dua and Margot reached Sifnos – perhaps they helicoptered in or were on private boats – but for the majority of us, the options listed below are more accessible.
Does Sifnos have an airport?
No.
Sifnos is a lovely island and tends to be less crowded than some other Greek islands – one of the reasons for that is the absence of an airport. The topology of the island makes it unlikely that there will ever be one.
How to get to Sifnos Island
Ferries are the best way to get to Sifnos for most visitors unless you can visit Sifnos on a sailboat or day trip boat.
Planning your visit using the ferries can be a little tricky. It helps to be aware of the islands that connect well with Sifnos because this will reduce the cost of your travel and the time you spend on boats.
Islands connecting well with Sifnos
Seajets is the main company servicing Sifnos with their range of fast boats. Typically Superjet 2 handles the Piraeus to Sifnos route and is well equipped to provide a comfortable ride. The journey will take around 2 hours 30 minutes.
There may be cheaper but slower options provided by Aegean Lines and Zante Ferries if you’d prefer that approach to get to Sifnos.
The best connections are:
Serifos to Sifnos
This is the service that heads down from Piraeus, stopping at Serifos, Sifnos and Milos before making the return journey. This is a short distance taking only 20 minutes.
Milos to Sifnos
Also part of the Piraeus to Milos service, this journey takes around 40 minutes and there are usually multiple departures each day to choose from.
Paros to Sifnos
A 1 hour journey, this is part of the Paros/Mykonos/Amorgos route. The boat used is older, smaller and generally very busy – just be aware.
Other islands with connections to get to Sifnos
Santorini to Sifnos
Another Seajets service links these two islands with the fastest travel time around 3 hours, typically arriving around 6pm – perfect for that first Sifnos dinner.
Mykonos to Sifnos
Mykonos is another possibility to combine with Sifnos. Seajets again with a travel time of around 2 hours.
Naxos to Sifnos
This Seajets journey takes nearly 4 hours so one to consider carefully if it fits with your plans to get to Sifnos.
Where to stay on Sifnos
Some of the preferred places to stay:
Platys Gialos – picturesque beach location (Niriedes Hotel is a great choice)
Appollonia – the main settlement
Artemonas – next to Appolonia
Faros – another beach settlement
Getting around Sifnos Island
Once you’ve reached Sifnos you’ll need to decide how you will get around to see the best sights.
Sifnos Bus Service
There is a local bus service that links the main centres (Appollonia, Arteonas, Platis Gialos, Chrisopigi, Kastro & Faros (with more limited calls to Heronissos and Vathi) but you will need to consider whether the limited number of trips will suit your needs.
Sifnos Taxi Service
There are a small number of taxis operating on Sifnos and they get very popular around ferry times – so you may need to wait or have to get to the port very early for your ferry.
Sifnos Car Hire
Several car hire companies will rent out vehicles for you to drive yourself around. Note that the availability of automatic cars is limited (and they are more expensive).
We always use Suntrail, picking up and dropping off near the port at Kamares, although the pick-up point is a 450m walk from the ferry drop off point. They’ve always given us good service (last visit in June 2023).