Ferry operators in Greece have launched a wave of discounts and offers in their fares, as demand has slowed down and passenger traffic has declined in the first five months of 2025.
Ferry lines operating in the Dodecanese and the North Aegean have been offering up to 30 percent discounts on selected routes and under specific conditions while other ferry operators offer significant discounts for families and groups. Some companies promote targeted discounts, such as 10 percent off on the Piraeus-Cyclades route in an effort to boost demand.
According to the Greek Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy and executives within the industry, passenger numbers are down for the first time since the pandemic. The Secretary General for Ports, Port Policy and Maritime Investment has recorded at least a 3 percent drop, compared to the first five months of 2024. At the same time, the president of the Association of Shipping Companies estimates the overall decline stands at 4 percent. Certain routes, such as some Rafina-based ferry lines which travel mostly to the Cycladic islands, experienced a drop as high as 12 percent in May.
In both 2023 and 2024, passenger traffic had grown by double digits during the first half of the year, according to the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT). The current year paints a different picture, with the decline mostly attributed to factors such as high ferry prices, which result in travelers opting for mainland trips over visiting the islands. The early timing of the Holy Spirit holiday weekend this year, which coincided with nationwide school exams, also played a role in demand for island getaways.
Despite the complaints of high costs on ferry tickets, the Ministry says fares have remained stable this year.
Greece slashed port fees by 50 percent to address rising cost of ferry tickets
Passengers traveling by ferry in Greece this summer would have faced up to a 15 percent price increase, as the country is implementing new EU regulations aimed at curbing pollution, effective May 1.
Under the new European regulation that limits carbon and sulfur emissions from passenger shipping, ships now use a new type of fuel, the so-called MGO (Marine Gas Oil) a type of refined marine fuel with a low sulfur content that is cleaner than residual fuels such as heavy fuel oil (HFO). However, it is considerably more expensive.
The Greek Ministry of Maritime Affairs announced in April it would reduce port fees by 50 percent to counteract the surging ferry ticket prices.
Minister of Maritime Affairs Vassilis Kikilias outlined the key provisions of the amendment during the 10th Delphi Economic Forum, saying that “the government aims to support passengers by providing ferry companies with an opportunity to adjust their pricing policies, alleviating the financial burden on the public during these challenging economic times.”
The 50 percent reduction is applied to port fees for domestic passenger ferry routes, excluding cruises, for one year. The Minister underlined that the move sought to stabilize ticket prices and maintain affordability for both Greeks and tourists traveling to the islands.
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