Mykonos is one of the most popular destinations to visit in Greece. Although known as a "party island," this island has something for everyone, whether you're interested in a party scene, LGBTQ culture, or ancient history.
Travelers to Mykonos can find a range of experiences here: slowing things down at the stunning beach and taverna of Agios Sostis; exploring the labyrinthine cobblestone streets of the bustling Chora; and trekking to the nearby island of Delos, one of the most important mythological and historical sites in all of Greece, are just a few activities that draw visitors to Mykonos year after year.
Mykonos is also one of the most convenient places to reach in Greece. Equipped with an airport and a busy port, you can easily reach Mykonos by air or sea.
Direct flights are available year-round from Athens, as well as from a number of other locations in Europe and the UK.
If you prefer to travel by sea, you can take a fast or slow ferry from Athens to Mykonos. Note that ferry schedules become more limited in the low season (mid-October through mid-June), so be sure to check that the ferry is running if you're traveling at this time.
If you're looking to explore the distinct cultures of various Cycladic Islands, consider this 12-day itinerary, which will take you to Mykonos, Santorini, Naxos, and Ios.
By Plane from Athens
Duration: 1 hour plus travel to/from airports
The fastest way to get to Mykonos is by flying. There are direct flights from the Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH) to the Mykonos International Airport (JMK) available year-round.
The Athens airport is about 30 minutes from the city center and can easily be reached by taxi, private transfer, bus, or metro.
These flights can get full in the summer, so be sure to book in advance if you're traveling then. For such short flights, only economy tickets are available.
Alternatively, there are a number of places in Europe and the UK that offer direct flights to Mykonos. London, Vienna, and Frankfurt are just a few cities that fly to Mykonos.
While the number of flights available usually increases during the high summer season, most of these cities do offer flights to Mykonos year-round.
By Ferry from Athens
Duration: 2.5-9.5 hours
Both Piraeus and Rafina, the smaller port of Athens, offer fast and slow ferry options to Mykonos. High-speed hydrofoils get you to Mykonos in two and a half hours, while the more leisurely slow ferry takes nine and a half hours. There are some in-between ferry options as well, which take four and a half hours.
High-speed ferries tend to fill up in the summer, so book in advance if choosing this option. Note that these ferries can be rough on those prone to seasickness, as they can get quite bumpy in windy conditions.
Economy and business class tickets are available for all ferries, and slower ferries may also have cabins available. You can bring a vehicle or motorcycle onto all ferries, but note that doing so will increase your ticket price.
It is recommended that you reserve a numbered seat if taking the slow ferry. The "deck-lounge" option, which is generally the cheapest ferry ticket available, does not guarantee a seat, and you might find yourself struggling to find one in the summer season or stuck in a plastic deck chair for several hours.
By Plane from Other Greek Islands
Duration: 3.5 hours or longer, depending on connection time
Not all Greek islands have airports, but if you find yourself on one that does, such as Lesvos, Crete, or Rhodes, you can fly to Mykonos to save yourself some time.
There are no direct flights between the Greek islands, so you will have a stop in Athens before continuing on to Mykonos. This can be an efficient option, however, if you're on an island that's far from Mykonos and want to avoid spending a full day traveling there.
For these short flights, only economy tickets are available.
By Ferry from Other Greek Islands
Duration: 20 minutes or longer, depending on your starting location
A number of Greek islands offer direct and indirect ferry routes to Mykonos. If you're already in the Cycladic Islands, you can easily find a fast or slow ferry to take you directly to Mykonos. Other islands, such as Crete, also have direct ferry options available.
If there is no direct ferry available, it may be possible to find an "indirect" ferry to Mykonos. These ferries stop at other islands along the way, so your travel time will be longer than if you went straight through to Mykonos.