Piraeus - buying ferry tickets on departure

I did that many times. Just take a bus fromt he airport to the port and buy your ticket from one of the numerous agencies surrounding the port.

Things may have change, but a few years ago prices were governement controlled (and quite cheap) and the same in every agency for a class of ships. Faster ships are more expensive than others.

Alternatively you may also buy your ticket at the gate of the ship itself.

You do not need reservation specially in winter.

When I was in Pireaus this summer, we showed up at the harbour at 7am and had to wait for a few hours for a boat. Bear in mind that it's much higher tourist season during the summer months, and most boats are cheaper and less crowded during the winter. I have to recommend the greek island Paros though - it's a backpacker's dream... look for Mike's Accomodations right as you get off the ferry... it's about a block away going left down the street in front of the docks.

I wouldn't think you need a reservation for winter ferries. The fast boats are more expensive. There are agencies in front of the docks... Alot of agencies will only sell tickets for certain companies, so it pays to shop around the block for a few minutes before buying. You might find a quicker boat for cheaper.

Buy your ferry tickets at the airport. Amphitrion Holidays open 7/7, 24/24. Arrival level.
H.

the telephone for the Hellenic Sea ways flying dolphins and flying Cats is 210 4199000 press the number for english that it tells you or #3 for the actual person. If you call they can tell you the times and places you can go. Or, just go to the port now in winter is no problem. Most boats don't go anywhere until 8am or 9am. good luck and have fun

If you want to go to Tinos or Mikonos, you need not to go to Pireaus. There are direct ferries leaving from Rafina, a small port close to the airport. Many ferries leave early in the morning, about at 7.00 am. www.gtp.gr

Have some idea about where you want to go, as you may find yourself on a desolate island with irregular connections for your return.
Don't forget ferry schedules are weather dependant, and some islands have a more organized infrastructure in winter than others.
The ferry tickets are not the problem, rather than the weather, and the subsequent conditions on the island [s] you end up on,

No problem getting a ticket upon arrival, but it would help to have an idea beforehand where in the Aegean you would like to go. There are several ferries leaving for the Cyclades around 0730 each morning, but if you are interested in Crete, the Dodecanese, or some other island group, you may have to wait until afternoon for an overnight ferry. In that case you wouldn't want to hang around Piraeus all day when you could go into Athens instead.

As neckervd said, Rafina is a better port for Tinos and Mykonos, but Piraeus best for most other islands. Harvey has a good suggestion to stop at Amphitrion Travel before you leave the airport.

The train now goes directly into Piraeus from the airport via Athens. Walk upstairs to the departures floor, walk outside and the covered walkway is straight in front of you. Do a search of the Proastiakos web-site - not an easy challenge - for the latest times (they do change with new routes opening). Loads easier than the bus, but the first train may not get there in time for the early ferries.

a big thank you! that's really helpful.

Of course when I land in Athens I will have a precise idea of my destination and all the connections printed out from the web - I just asked the general question to find out if it's realistic to land in the middle of the night and catch a morning ferry just a few hours later. I think now about a larger "Naxos-style" (I visited Naxos last winter) island with a sizeable permanent population like perhaps Samos or Andros & Tinos or Paros but I haven't yet excluded Rodos or Crete...

Harvey, many thanks for your suggestion about the Amphitrion Holidays. Do they charge any fees for issuing tickets or is it just the same price as everywhere?