Athens (Rafina) - Karlovassi
Ferries to Samos
Athens (Rafina) - Karlovassi
Ferries to Samos
Compare live pricing across ferry operators worldwide and find the sailing that fits your trip. Booking sooner rather than later is the simplest way to secure the best fares and the widest choice.
Direct Ferries runs discounts across the calendar year. If your route qualifies for a senior discount, it's applied for you automatically as soon as you choose the correct age bracket in the passenger options when you search.
Students and recent graduates qualify for a 5% saving on their ticket. Register with our partner Student Beans to confirm your eligibility, then apply the discount code you receive at checkout.
A resident discount is also on offer for a number of Spanish and Italian crossings — select the "Residents" option where available and the price will adjust automatically. Make sure you can show proof of address, such as a residency certificate or ID card, when you check in.
Document requirements differ by route, so check what you'll need well before departure. Travelling from Athens (Rafina) to Karlovassi generally calls for a valid passport, plus any visa or national ID your nationality requires. Since rules depend on both your citizenship and your destination's regulations, our Check-in, Travel Documents & Tickets guide is a good place to check the details and avoid delays at check-in.
Getting your tickets is simple — enter your departure port, arrival port, and preferred travel date to see every fare and sailing available. From there, you can compare alternative routes and departure times to land on the best option for your trip.
Watch for early-bird pricing and flexible ticket formats, such as upgrades or flexi-fares that allow later changes or cancellations. Enter your details accurately, including passenger count and vehicle information, to keep your booking process smooth.
A confirmation email lands in your inbox the moment your booking is finalised. How your boarding pass gets issued from there depends on the specific ferry operator.
Certain operators release your boarding pass right after booking; others want you to check in once you reach the port. Where available, the Direct Ferries app lets you check in online ahead of time.
Ticket desks sit near the ferry terminal in most cases. Give yourself extra time before departure to collect your tickets and complete check-in without stress.
You'll need to present your confirmation email plus valid photo ID — a passport or identity card — at check-in. Pet owners should bring vaccination and insurance paperwork, and anyone using a resident discount should have proof of address on hand.
A handful of reasons can explain the lack of departures from Athens (Rafina) to Karlovassi on your selected date — timetable adjustments, sold-out sailings, or a seasonal gap are the usual culprits. Try a different date or browse other routes through our Route & Port finder.
Booking your Athens (Rafina) to Karlovassi ferry early usually pays off, both in terms of price and choice — earlier bookings tend to unlock better fares and more departure and cabin options.
A few weeks' notice is generally enough to catch the best deals, though fares can still move depending on the season and remaining availability.
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The Greek town of Rafina lies on the east coast of the Attica region of Greece. The town, and its port, is on the Aegean Sea coast, to the east of the Penteli Mountains and to the north east of the Mesogaia Plain. The Greek capital, Athens, is 25 km to the west of Rafina which is close to the towns of Artemida and Nea Makri. It is a popular destination for Athenians, due to its proximity to Athens, who drive out of the city to Rafina to eat in one of the town's many fish restaurants that line the harbour. It is common to see the day's catch on display on beds of ice outside each restaurant.
Rafina's port is the second largest in the Attica region, after Piraeus, although this is likely to change by the port at Lavrio which is currently being expanded. ferries from Rafina's port depart to the southern part of Euboea and to most of the Cyclades Islands. Both conventional and high speed ferries operate to the islands with most departing Rafina in the morning.
The tourist resort and port of Karlovassi is one of the most popular towns on the Greek island of Samos which lies in the north Aegean Sea. The island has a rich history and was home to the mathematician, Pythagoras, the astronomer Aristarchus and the philosopher Epicurus. The town is an important trading hub for the Aegean region and was home to a significant naval fleet in ancient history.
The town is in the north of the island and up until the 20th century it was perhaps best known for its tobacco manufacturing and tannery. A popular attraction in the town is the Tannery Museum which shows the town's long history in tannery which stretches back to ancient times. On display in the museum are tools and methods of leather processing and also the locations of the many tanneries that were located on Samos during the 20th century. There are some fine examples of neoclassical mansions in the town which can be seen alongside the remains of large stone factories at the "Ormos" seaside.
Ferries operating from the town's port depart to Piraeus, Chios, Fournoi, Agios Kirikos, Evdilos, Syros and Kavala.
