The Greece Guides

Seajets SUPERSTAR Returns to Rafina With Daily Cyclades Sailings From July 18

· 2 min read Travel News
High-speed ferry sailing toward the Greek islands

Contents

  1. Rafina vs. Piraeus: The Practical Difference
  2. Route and Schedule
  3. Booking
  4. Wider Cyclades Connections

Seajets’ high-speed vessel SUPERSTAR resumed daily sailings from Rafina port to the Cyclades on 18 July 2026, adding a second Athens-area departure point for island-hoppers alongside the busier Piraeus terminal. The first departure carried capacity loads on a route that stops at Andros, Tinos, Mykonos, Paros, and Naxos.

Rafina vs. Piraeus: The Practical Difference

Rafina is a smaller port town on the eastern coast of Attica, about 30 km from central Athens and 20 minutes from Athens International Airport by road. For travellers arriving or departing via the airport, Rafina is considerably more convenient than Piraeus — the main ferry hub — which sits on the opposite (western) side of Athens and requires a metro or taxi journey of 45 minutes to an hour from the city centre.

The trade-off is that Rafina has fewer daily departures and less competition between ferry operators, so fares can be slightly higher and timing choices are more limited. The SUPERSTAR’s return gives the Rafina–Cyclades route at least one daily high-speed option throughout the summer.

Route and Schedule

The SUPERSTAR’s summer 2026 programme from Rafina serves:

  • Andros (~2 hours from Rafina)
  • Tinos (~2.5 hours)
  • Mykonos (~3 hours)
  • Paros (~4 hours)
  • Naxos (~4.5 hours)

Departure from Rafina is scheduled in the morning (approximately 7:30am on most days, though travellers should confirm the current timetable with Seajets directly). Return sailings from Naxos leave in the afternoon, arriving Rafina in the early evening.

The service operates daily through to late September 2026, subject to weather conditions. High-speed ferries on Aegean routes are suspended in strong north winds (Meltemi) — Beaufort 7 and above typically triggers cancellations — so July and August passengers should monitor forecast conditions during periods of sustained Meltemi activity.

Booking

Tickets for the SUPERSTAR can be booked through the Seajets website or via Greek ferry booking aggregators (Ferryhopper, Ferries.gr, Openseas). Booking in advance is strongly advised for Mykonos sailings in July and August, where capacity fills quickly on weekends and mid-week during peak weeks.

Standard ferry classes apply: deck ticket, aircraft-style seating, and enclosed cabin options. The SUPERSTAR is a high-speed catamaran-type vessel, meaning the ride is faster but more movement-sensitive than a conventional car ferry in choppy conditions. There are no car-loading facilities on the SUPERSTAR.

Wider Cyclades Connections

Rafina’s expanded SUPERSTAR service complements the Piraeus routes, which carry car ferries and additional high-speed vessels to the Cyclades and other island groups. Travellers heading to Santorini, Crete, or the Dodecanese continue to use Piraeus as the primary departure point.

For a full guide to island-hopping logistics, routes, and ferry types, see our Greek islands guide. Ferry timings, booking tips, and connection planning are covered in our practical Greece guide.