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Cyprus–Greece ferry: route, season and tickets

The Limassol–Piraeus route operates seasonally under a government contract, and the 2026 season is already closed: route, ticket and car fares, refunds.

Cyprus InformEditorial team

17 September 2026 11 min read

Cyprus–Greece ferry: route, season and tickets

Checked: 17 September 2026.

How the service works and who it is for

There is a ferry service between Cyprus and Greece, but it is not organised like a standard commercial crossing. The service is commissioned by the relevant ministry, operated by a private operator under a long-term contract, and subsidised by the budget each season. This explains the seasonal nature of the service, the infrequent sailings and the annual review of terms and conditions.

This information is useful for anyone transporting goods or a car, who does not wish to fly or is planning a long journey through mainland Europe. The service is hardly suitable for a weekend trip: the crossing takes more than a day, and tickets go on sale in a single batch once a year and are taken off sale a few days before departure.

Status checked on 17 September 2026: it is not possible to sail – the 2026 season ended with the crossing from Piraeus on 1 September, arriving in Limassol the following day; there are no later sailings listed in the published timetable. The dates, fares and vessel for the 2027 season have not been officially announced; there is currently nothing on which to base plans for a crossing on a specific date.

Route, vessel and journey time

There is a single, direct route: Limassol in Cyprus and Piraeus in Greece, with no intermediate ports of call or stopovers on the islands. The contract provides for 22 round trips per season, i.e. 44 legs; the frequency of sailings is set by the carrier, and there are weeks within the season when there are no sailings — please check the timetable in advance.

During the 2026 season, the 168-metre-long AF Marina operated on the route; previously, the Daleela had operated the service. The Ministry has stated that there are more cabins, each with its own shower and toilet, increased capacity, and that animals are transported in cabins rather than kennels. The Ministry has not provided exact figures for passengers and vehicles.

The crossing takes around 31 hours: this is the operator’s estimated time, confirmed by the timetable, which shows departure from Limassol in the afternoon and arrival in Piraeus in the evening of the following day. Cyprus and Greece are in the same time zone, so there is no need to adjust the time, but there is one night spent travelling, and sleeping accommodation must be booked in advance.

How much does a ticket cost and what does it include?

Prices for the 2026 season are quoted per person one way and consist of the fare and mandatory port charges. A first-class cabin cost €76.08 (1 berth in a cabin), €71.08 (2 berths) and €66.08 (4 berths); a seat cost €41.08; children aged three to 12 paid from €30.35; and infants under two travelled free of charge.

The charges in this price structure often outweigh the cost of the journey itself: for an adult passenger, they amount to €36.08, whilst the fare for a seat accounts for only a small fraction of the total. It is not entirely accurate to compare the price directly with an airfare: the fare is subsidised by the state to the tune of approximately 5.47 million euros a year and is reviewed before the season begins.

Transport is charged separately from the passenger, and there is a double charge for a car: for the vehicle itself and for the driver. A passenger car up to 5 metres in length cost €134.05 per leg, a motorbike €92.92, a campervan up to 5 metres €140.63, whilst bicycles were carried free of charge. The price per vehicle already includes port charges and a €20 processing fee.

Vehicle on board and its documents

Vehicles are transported only if accompanied: one car per passenger, with the owner, a first-degree relative or a spouse with a certified power of attorney at the wheel. Company, corporate and commercial vans are not accepted for transport, and vehicles imported via ports in the occupied north are not permitted to be loaded.

The vehicle’s documents must be prepared in advance. The agent will require the original vehicle registration certificate, driving licence and insurance policy; if the vehicle is being transported as security for a loan, the bank’s consent is required; and for vehicles from third countries, a customs declaration form and a Green Card from a limited list of countries. The documents must be sent at least four days before departure; otherwise, the carrier is entitled to refuse to allow the vehicle on board.

There is a separate set of rules regarding fuel. For electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids, the battery charge must not exceed 40 per cent; for gas-powered vehicles, the tank must not be more than half full; on-board refuelling is prohibited; and vehicles with a faulty fuel system or battery will not be accepted. Please check with the operator regarding limits and restrictions before travelling to the port.

Where to buy tickets and how to book seats

There is only one official channel: the platform and call centres of the authorised agent: Orthodoxou Aviation in Cyprus and Proton Aviation Services in Greece. Offers on third-party booking platforms are not official; it is advisable to book through an agent. Changes and cancellations can only be made by telephone, so keep their contact details to hand.

The deadlines are stricter than usual. Tickets including a car, motorbike or campervan must be purchased no later than 7 days before departure, whilst tickets for passengers only must be purchased 3 days in advance; the operator sets these deadlines and may change them for the new season. Sales for 2026 began on 22 April; check with your agent for the dates of the next sales period.

It is too early to trust the ‘no seats available’ status shown in the system: an audit service checked summer 2025 services and, in 13 out of 21 cases, found that sales had been closed whilst the actual occupancy rate was around 69 per cent for passengers and 18 per cent for vehicles. If the system shows no seats available, it is worth calling the call centre and enquiring about available seats directly.

Refunds, passenger rights and myths

Refund conditions were tightened in 2026: in the event of cancellation or a no-show, only port charges are refunded; the fare itself is forfeited; cancellations can only be made for the entire cabin; and claims must be submitted within one month. Changing the date costs 25 euros per adult and 10 per child; the price list does not specify the cost of amending vehicle details.

In the event of cancellation or delay of a voyage, EU Regulation 1177/2010 applies: a refund within 7 days or the next available departure, plus meals and accommodation up to 80 euros per night, for a maximum of 3 nights. For delays, compensation is 25 per cent of the fare for delays of 6 hours and 50 per cent for delays of 12 hours; however, in the event of severe weather, neither accommodation nor compensation is provided; complaints should be submitted to the carrier.

There are many myths surrounding this topic. The state tourism portal still states that there is no ferry service to the island; articles feature varying fares and the name of a vessel from the pilot season, whilst sailings from northern ports to Turkey are misrepresented as journeys to Greece. None of these stories have anything to do with the Limassol–Piraeus route.

What to check before booking

Start with your documents. An identity card or passport is accepted for boarding, but Cyprus is not yet part of the Schengen Area, so there will be border controls in Piraeus, and a Cypriot national visa does not grant entry to Greece. Check your visa status and the validity of your documents before paying, not at the port.

Next, consider the port logistics. The operator asks you to arrive 4 hours before departure and closes boarding one hour beforehand; in Cyprus, passengers pass through the Limassol cruise terminal, whilst in Piraeus, passengers and vehicles are directed to different gates. The exact gates and arrival times are specified in your booking confirmation — make sure you have it to hand.

Look out for the Ministry’s announcement regarding the next season: in previous years, the timetable and price list were published in the spring, followed by the start of ticket sales. And remember the change in the direction of traffic: in Cyprus, they drive on the left, but immediately after disembarking in Piraeus, they drive on the right – allow extra time to adjust for the first few kilometres.

Continue planning

Official sources

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