July holiday exodus under way – More than 36,000 departures on Saturday
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The July holiday exodus is reaching its peak at the ports of Piraeus, Rafina and Lavrio, with tens of thousands of passengers departing for islands in the Aegean and the Saronic Gulf.
- 25 Ιουλίου 2026 11:44
Passenger traffic at the ports of Attica is gradually peaking as the major summer holiday exodus gets under way.
Thousands of travellers are leaving the Athens metropolitan area for islands in the Aegean and the Saronic Gulf, while traffic is expected to remain heavy throughout the weekend.
The Hellenic Coast Guard is on heightened alert, while passengers travelling today are advised to arrive at their vessel’s departure quay slightly earlier because of the increased traffic.
On Friday, July 24, a total of 113 vessel departures took place from Attica’s four major ports, with 50,917 passengers leaving for island destinations.
More specifically, 22 vessels departed from the port of Piraeus, carrying 24,545 passengers, 4,054 private vehicles, 706 trucks and 720 motorcycles.
A total of 60 services operated to the Saronic Gulf islands, carrying 10,079 passengers, 1,161 private vehicles, 50 trucks and 356 motorcycles.
From the port of Rafina, 19 vessels departed, carrying a total of 12,019 passengers, 2,571 private vehicles, 101 trucks and 301 motorcycles.
From Lavrio, 12 services operated, carrying 4,274 passengers, 1,127 private vehicles, 40 trucks and 99 motorcycles.
Weekend estimates
According to advance booking data available to the Hellenic Coast Guard, an estimated 36,904 passengers are expected to depart from the four ports today, Saturday, July 25.
A total of 24 services have been scheduled from the main port of Piraeus and the Tzelepi gates, with an estimated 22,759 passengers.
For the Saronic Gulf islands, four passenger hydrofoil services and 22 passenger-and-vehicle ferry services have been scheduled. A total of 3,430 passengers are expected to depart, including 505 by hydrofoil and 2,925 by passenger-and-vehicle ferries.
Fourteen services are expected to operate from Rafina, carrying 8,000 passengers, while seven services are scheduled from Lavrio, carrying 2,715 passengers.
For Sunday, July 26, advance bookings indicate a total of 25,361 passenger departures from the ports of Attica. A total of 22 services have been scheduled from the main port of Piraeus, carrying 16,292 passengers.
For the Saronic Gulf islands, four hydrofoil services and 24 passenger-and-vehicle ferry services are expected to operate, carrying a total of 2,149 passengers.
Fourteen services have been scheduled from Rafina, carrying 4,829 passengers, while 13 services are scheduled from Lavrio, carrying 2,091 passengers.
