How to get from Mykonos to Iraklia
There are no direct ferries between Mykonos and Iraklia islands in Greece. To get to Iraklia from Mykonos, first take the Mykonos to Naxos ferry, and then take a Naxos to Iraklia ferry.
Key takeaways
- No direct Mykonos–Iraklia ferry; connect via Naxos with two ferries (~3.5 hours best case).
- Iraklia one of quietest Cyclades, untouched by mass tourism—stark contrast to Mykonos.
- Book Naxos connection weeks ahead summer; Ferryscanner shows timing and prices.
- Naxos hub island for Small Cyclades; daily Naxos–Iraklia ferries via Express Skopelitis.
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Iraklia island in Greece
There's going to be an increasing trend in people seeking uncrowded holiday destinations, and Iraklia island is one of the finest choices Greece has to offer.
Untouched by mass-tourism, and requiring at least one international flight and a couple of ferry rides for most travelers from outside Greece to reach it, Iraklia is one of the quietest Greek islands in the Cyclades.
It might not be the most obvious choice of a next island to visit after Mykonos, but you'll certainly enjoy the stark contrast between these two beautiful islands in Greece!
Traveling from Mykonos to Iraklia
There is no airport in the Greek island of Iraklia, so the only way to make the journey from Mykonos to Iraklia is by using the ferry network.
Unfortunately, there is no direct ferry between the two islands, so a little Greek island hopping is involved!
The first step is to take a Mykonos to Naxos ferry. Many first time visitors to Greece don't realise that Naxos is the largest of the Cyclades islands, and so it has many connections to the surrounding Greek islands.
From Naxos you would then take a ferry to Iraklia. Fortunately, there are daily ferries connecting Naxos and Iraklia, with the most frequent ferry being the legendary Express Skopelitis.
Now, whether your Mykonos to Naxos ferry will arrive in time for a same day departure on the other ferry to Iraklia is something you'll need to check!
Ferry Schedules and Ferry Tickets
The simplest place to look at schedules for Greek ferries is at the Ferryscanner website.
Here, you'll find ferry routes to all the popular destinations in Greece, as well as a few you haven't heard of!
If you are planning to travel during the high season, you'll want to book ferry tickets online at least a couple of weeks before you are due to sail.
Iraklia Island Travel Tips
A few travel tips for visiting the Greek island of Iraklia:
- For accommodation in Iraklia, I recommend reading my guide on where to stay in Iraklia, and then using Booking. They have a great choice of apartments in Iraklia and an easy to use site. If you are traveling to Iraklia in the tourist season, I advise reserving places to stay in Iraklia a month or so in advance.
- The easiest way to get hold of ferry tickets in Greece is by using Ferryscanner. I think it's better that you book your Mykonos to Iraklia ferry tickets in advance, especially during the busiest time of summer.
- You can get more travel insights about Iraklia, Mykonos and more places in Greece - please subscribe to my newsletter.
- You might also like to read: More islands you can visit after Mykonos
- I've co-written a travel guide book to Iraklia now available on Kindle. Find it here: Schinoussa and Iraklia Greek Islands.
What to see in Iraklia Greece
In addition to the travel guide book about Schinoussa and Iraklia I mentioned earlier on, I've also got a useful blog post here on Iraklia Island in Greece.
Highlights of spending time in Iraklia include:
- Hiking around Iraklia
- Great beaches
- Awesome food
- Peace and quiet!
How to travel from Mykonos to Iraklia FAQ
A few of the frequently asked questions about traveling to Iraklia from Mykonos include:
How do we get to Iraklia from Mykonos?
The only way to take the journey from Mykonos to Iraklia is to use a ferry. There are no direct ferries sailing to the island of Iraklia from Mykonos, so the trip would involve first sailing to the island of Naxos, and then swapping on to another ferry that goes from Naxos to Iraklia.
Is there an airport on Iraklia?
There's no airport on Iraklia island, so the only way to take a trip from Mykonos to Iraklia is by the ferry services. The closest airport to Iraklia is at Naxos, but it is not currently possible to fly between Mykonos island and Naxos.
How many hours is the ferry from Mykonos to Iraklia?
As there is no direct ferry connection between Mykonos and Iraklia, the travel time between the two islands can be highly variable, as it involves swapping ferries on the island of Naxos. In a best case scenario, you might be able to make the journey in around 3 and a half hours, but luck would really need to be on your side!
How can I buy tickets for the ferry to Iraklia?
The best place to look at Greek ferries and book tickets online is Ferryscanner. Usually, I think it's better that you book your Mykonos to Iraklia ferry tickets in advance.
Dave is a UK travel writer living in Athens since 2015. With 20 years of firsthand travel experience and over 80,000 km of bicycle touring across six continents, he's been blogging at Dave's Travel Pages since 2005. Every guide is based on places he's actually been.
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