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HydraDirect logo - Travel and tourist information for Hydra Island Greece

Hellenic Seaways Flying Dolphins & Cats

Hellenic Seaways (part of the Blue Ferries group) operate their hydrofoils (Flying Dolphins) and Catamarans (Cats - bigger than dolphins) out of Piraeus and have a regular timetable throughout the year. BUT they are really slow at publishing it in a timely manner. So don't be worried if you look during the winter and can't see dates and times for Spring let alone summer. They normally refresh the site in March, June and October.


2023: TICKET PRICE INCREASE. Tickets now cost €40 per person each way. So €80 for a return ticket.

YOU MUST BOOK ONLINE and collect your actual tickets from the official agents office on Piraeus Port. If you don't prebook especially in high season, you could end up not getting on board.


You'll find their ticket offices around the port but you want to walk to the far end office nearest to Gate E9, which deals specifically with Hydra. Don't forget to ask the ticket office to point out where you dolphin will leave from.


Telephone: +(30) 210 419 9000 (Piraeus) Ring this number in case of delays.

Hydreoniki Travel (Hellenic agent on Hydra) +(30) 22980 54007

(See here: In case of bad weather, cancellations or strikes )


There are quite a few travel agents online but they all add between 10 - 20 euros per ticket. So be sure to use just the official site which you can reach with the button link below for the best price.


Official Hellenic Seaways Online Booking
  • Click the link above to go directly to the official online booking system of Hellenic Seaways (which will click into the Blue Star system when you choose book online).
  • Select tickets to collect from Agent (which is on the port side at Piraeus).
  • Print the email confirmation so you have the reference number with your travel documents.
  • Enter port at Gate E8.
  • Collect the actual tickets at least 15 minutes (30 mins in high season) before sailing. (The barcode on the email confirmation or on your phone only works if the girl collecting the tickets at the bottom of the gangplank has the machine with her - often this is not the case so it is always less stressful to obtain the actual tickets before you try to board.)

At the beginning and end of the high and low seasons, everyone tends to worry because the summer or winter time table isn't shown on the Hellenic site. This is because the Greek Ministry of Transport has to approve the routes and timetables, but they always leave it until the last minute. So if you are travelling in March/April or October/November, just keep checking until the timetable appears. Don't panic because sometimes this can be just the day before you wish to travel!
Hellenic Ticket Office at Piraeus Port for dolphin and cat service to Hydra Island Greece.
To avoid disappointment ALWAYS book your ticket in advance (you will need at least 2.5 hours after your landing time). If you are delayed you can phone Hellenic Seaways up to 1 hour before your planned sailing time to change your tickets for a later one if you think you're not going to get there in time.

Ring +30 210 419 9000 in case of delays to change your tickets.
Get off the X96 Bus at the stop outside the Piraeus Dymos (ΔΗΜΟΣ ΠΕΙΡΑΙΑ)
Getting to Piraeus by Taxi

The port of Piraeus is large and sprawling. If you take a taxi from the airport, ask for Piraeus and make sure the driver knows you're heading for Hydra and then you'll get put down at gate E8 of the port.
Take A Taxi
Getting to Piraeus by Bus

Piraeus Port is the last stop on the route. You enter the harbour at Gate E9 then go left along the inner harbour road about 300 meters to the Hellenic Ticket office which is just inside Gate E8. If you want to avoid dragging your luggage further than necessary, you can ask the bus driver to call you and put you down one stop before the end of the route.The closest bus stop is between two kiosks outside the Piraeus Dymos (ΔΗΜΟΣ ΠΕΙΡΑΙΑ) building opposite Gate E8 (as shown in the photo above). But, you will need to cross the main road, which is very busy so please use the crossings at the lights.
Take A Bus
Arriving at Hydra on a Hellenic Flying Cat from Piraeus
Hellenic Seaways are one of the main carriers between the Greek Islands and the mainland. They have a huge number of routes. Hydra is on the route that also includes Poros, Spetses, Porto Heli and Ermioni. What is included on the route depends on the time of day that the flying dolphin or cat leaves. However Hydra is such a popular destination that it is included on most trips.

If you need to change your tickets or have a query when you are on Hydra, you can call in to their agent's office on the island or ring: Hydreoniki Travel +(30) 22980 54007. The Hydra office is on the tiny lane off the harbour next to the Piraeus Bank, (The baker's shop is at the end of the lane.)

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