Hydra is known for its beautiful harbor, car-free streets, and walkable town, making it especially convenient for a day trip. And honestly, it ended up being one of my favorite days of our entire Greece trip.
We booked high-speed ferries from Athens to Hydra and had almost seven hours to explore the island. I’m sharing exactly how we booked our tickets, which ferry companies we used, what the boats were like, and a few things I wish I’d known before our trip.
The easiest way to get from Athens to Hydra is by taking a ferry from Piraeus Port, the main ferry port serving Athens.
We booked our tickets through Go-Ferry.com, and the entire process was straightforward. We also found a good price through the website.
Since we were only visiting Hydra for the day, I specifically wanted a high-speed ferry. Spending several hours traveling each direction would have significantly reduced our time on the island, and I wanted to make the most of our visit.
Our scheduled ferry journey was just 1 hour and 15 minutes each way, which made Hydra an easy addition to our Athens itinerary.
If you’re planning to explore Athens before or after your island visit, my The Perfect 3 Days in Athens Greece: A First-Time Itinerary shows how we organized our time in the city.
We visited Hydra on in September and booked the following itinerary:
This gave us approximately 6 hours and 45 minutes on Hydra, from 11:00 AM until our scheduled 5:45 PM departure.
For a first visit, I thought this was a good amount of time. We could explore the harbor, wander around town, enjoy a meal by the water, and venture beyond the main waterfront without feeling like we needed to immediately turn around and catch another ferry.
Of course, ferry schedules can change depending on the date and operator, so check the available departure and return times before planning the rest of your day.
Something I didn’t initially realize was that our outbound and return tickets were with two different ferry companies.
We traveled to Hydra with Alpha Lines and returned to Piraeus with Magic Sea Ferries. Both ferries were comfortable, but I definitely had a favorite.
Our morning ferry was Alpha Lines’ Speedcat I, and this was my favorite boat of the two.
The interior had comfortable seating, but what really stood out was the open outdoor deck. I loved being able to step outside during the journey, look out over the water, and enjoy the views rather than sitting inside the entire time.
There’s just something about being outside while traveling through the Greek islands that makes the ferry ride part of the experience instead of simply transportation.
If I were booking this trip again and the schedules worked equally well, I’d choose Alpha Lines.
For our afternoon return to Athens, we traveled on Magic Sea Ferries’ Magic 2. There was absolutely nothing wrong with the boat itself. The seats were comfortable, and the ride was smooth.
We simply preferred the overall setup of Speedcat I, particularly having access to the outdoor deck, which Magic Sea didn’t offer on this boat.
Our return journey also came with a couple of unexpected surprises, which I’ll explain below.
This was probably one of the easiest parts of the entire experience.
After booking through Go-Ferry.com, our tickets were emailed directly to us. We could simply pull up the code on our phones and show it when boarding.
There was no need to collect physical tickets or visit a ticket office before getting on the ferry.
I would still recommend downloading your tickets or taking screenshots before arriving at the port. I never like relying entirely on cell service when I need to show a boarding pass or ticket.
Having everything ready on our phones made boarding quick and straightforward.
I would allow some extra time before your scheduled ferry departure. Piraeus is a major port, and the part that can take time isn’t necessarily boarding the ferry. It’s figuring out exactly where you need to go.
Our morning departure was scheduled for 9:45 AM, so I wanted to make sure we had enough time to locate the correct departure area.
Once we were in the right spot, boarding itself was simple.
Wendy’s Tip: Check your ticket for the departure information, confirm your boarding location, and allow extra time to navigate the port. Follow the ferry operator’s specific check-in and boarding instructions rather than assuming every ferry uses the same procedure.
The seating was surprisingly comfortable on both ferries.
Rather than basic ferry benches, the seats reminded me more of what you’d find on an airplane or larger train.
We had no issues sitting comfortably for the 1-hour-and-15-minute journey. And because the trip was relatively short, it never felt like we were spending a huge portion of our day sitting on a boat.
Yes, passengers can bring luggage on the ferry.
Since we were visiting Hydra for the day, we didn’t have any suitcases with us. However, plenty of other passengers were traveling with luggage. There was a designated luggage storage area, so passengers didn’t have to keep their larger bags beside their seats.
If you’re planning to spend a night or two on Hydra, traveling with a suitcase is certainly possible. Just check your ferry operator’s current baggage allowance before booking.
For a day trip, I’d recommend packing lightly. We didn’t need much beyond what we wanted to carry while exploring the island.
This was actually one of my biggest concerns before booking because I get seasick pretty easily. Thankfully, both of our ferry rides were smooth, and I didn’t experience any motion sickness.
On the morning ferry to Hydra, I had a window seat, which definitely helped. Being able to look outside and focus on the horizon usually makes a difference for me.
On our return journey, we were seated in a middle row. I could still see out a window from my seat, and fortunately, the water was very calm anyway.
I had no issues on either trip.
Of course, sea conditions can change significantly depending on the weather, so just because our crossings were smooth doesn’t mean every ferry ride will be.
If you’re prone to seasickness, I’d try to choose a seat with a clear view outside when possible. Being able to see the horizon helped me feel more comfortable during the crossing.
One of the best things about visiting Hydra by ferry is how convenient the arrival is. The ferry docks directly at Hydra Harbor, which is right in the middle of town.
We stepped off the boat and were immediately surrounded by the waterfront, restaurants, shops, and pedestrian streets. There was no need to arrange another transfer or figure out how to reach the main part of the island.
And because Hydra doesn’t have cars, exploring the town is primarily done on foot. This is especially convenient for a day trip since you can start exploring as soon as you step off the ferry instead of wasting time getting from the port into town.
Hydra’s compact harbor area is particularly convenient for first-time visitors, although exploring farther from town will naturally require more walking.
Our return journey was a little less straightforward than the morning trip. We were scheduled to leave Hydra at 5:45 PM, but our ferry ended up arriving approximately 30 minutes late.
Delays happen, and that alone wouldn’t have been a big deal.
What frustrated me was that we never received any notification about the delay. No message, no update, nothing. We basically just waited at the port until the ferry eventually showed up.
If your return ferry isn’t there exactly when you expect it, don’t immediately assume you’ve missed something. It’s possible the boat is simply running behind schedule.
We also had another little surprise on the way back to Piraeus. When we booked our tickets, the return journey appeared to be a direct ferry from Hydra to Athens.
However, our ferry made an additional stop along the way. It was a quick stop and didn’t cause any major problems, but we definitely weren’t expecting it.
I’m still not entirely sure why we stopped since our booking appeared to show a straight trip back to Piraeus.
It’s possible for ferry routes to include intermediate stops, so I would double-check the itinerary details if having a direct journey is important to you.
I’d be careful about scheduling anything too close to your expected arrival time.
Our return ferry was originally scheduled to reach Piraeus at 7:00 PM, but between the approximately 30-minute delay and the unexpected stop, the journey wasn’t quite as predictable as we’d planned.
We actually had a dinner reservation in Athens that evening and ended up having to call the restaurant to see if we could move it. Luckily, they were able to accommodate us!
If I were you, I’d leave some buffer time, like a lot of buffer time, between your scheduled ferry arrival and any dinner reservations or transportation connections, especially since you still have to get from Piraeus back into Athens.
The good news is that restaurants in Greece tend to serve dinner later than we’re used to in the United States, so making a later reservation actually works out pretty well!
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Absolutely. Hydra was honestly one of my favorite days of our entire Greece trip.
I loved how different the island felt compared with Athens. The lack of cars, beautiful waterfront, and compact harbor made it easy to explore without needing a complicated transportation plan.
With almost seven hours on the island, we had plenty of time to walk around town, explore beyond the harbor, and enjoy a leisurely meal overlooking the water. We ate at Sunset Restaurant, and you can read all about the food, waterfront seating, and our experience in my Sunset Restaurant Hydra Review: What to Order and What to Know.
For a first visit, I think six to seven hours is enough to get a good introduction to Hydra without feeling completely rushed. The short high-speed ferry ride also makes it surprisingly manageable as a day trip from Athens.
If you’re trying to figure out how to organize your time once you arrive, my One Day in Hydra Greece: The Perfect Day Trip from Athens covers what to see and do during your visit.
That said, I absolutely would have stayed longer if our Greece itinerary had allowed it. I would have happily spent a couple of nights exploring more of the island at a slower pace.
If you only have one day available, I wouldn’t hesitate to visit. But if you have extra time in your itinerary, I think Hydra deserves more than a few hours.
If you end up booking anything for your trip, using my affiliate links helps support my blog at no extra cost to you. I spend a lot of time researching and writing these guides, so I really appreciate the support.
A café, bakery, market, and wine shop all in one Phoenix stop 🍊
At La Grande Orange, order the crepes first, they’re the thing I’d go back for. The chicken salad sandwich is perfect if someone wants lunch while you’re still on breakfast, and the red velvet mini cupcake and a chai latte round it out. The sea salt chocolate chip cookie is heartier than gooey, so it’s best for dunkers. It’s counter service with easy parking, and the market has quirky gifts you won’t find elsewhere. Leave time to browse, because you’ll stay longer than planned.
Save this for your Phoenix trip ☀️
“Outside Terminal 3” is not a pickup location at PHX.
Before your driver pulls in, text them four things: your terminal, north or south side, door number, and inner or outer curb. Grab your bags first, then call them in. Drivers can wait free in the cell phone lot instead of circling. Getting through security is easy; getting picked up is the hard part.
Save this for your Phoenix trip ✈️
Come for the architecture, stay for the view.
The Chapel of the Holy Cross has been built into Sedona’s red rocks since 1956. The outside overlooks get busy, but inside is quiet, with huge windows framing the rocks. It’s free, takes 30-45 minutes, and has a paved, wheelchair-accessible ramp. Make sure to bring water in summer.
Save this for your trip planning!
Order it well done. Trust me.🍑🍕
Peach & Pancetta Pizza at Hideaway House in Sedona: roasted peaches, salty pancetta, ricotta, basil, extra-crispy crust. Split the house salad, grab a prickly pear lemonade, and get a patio table facing the red rocks. Skip the bread if you want room for another slice.
Save this for your Sedona trip✈️
Pack your bags, Denver is not just a mountain layover. RiNo alone can eat a full day between the murals, food, and bars. Skip the concert and hit Red Rocks midday instead, you’ll basically have it to yourself. Golden’s a 30-minute trip if you want a change of pace, and if food drives your travel like it does mine, Denver Central Market and BRUTØ deserve real time on the calendar. Give it three days minimum, four if you’re eating your way through it. Save this.
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