Ferry Boat Fares to the Greek Islands Up by 15%

Photo Source: EC – Audiovisual Service / Photographer: Yorgos Karahalis

The cost of traveling by ferry boat to the Greek islands has increased by around 15 percent, said Greek Shipping Minister Yiannis Plakiotakis this week.

Speaking on public radio, Plakiotakis confirmed that fares were up by 10-15 percent this year compared to 2021, attributing the hikes to massive increases in fuel prices.

“We urge shipping companies, where possible, to absorb the increases, this is not easy. The cost of fuel accounts for 50 to 60 percent of a ship’s total operating costs,” said Plakiotakis, calling on ferry operators to absorb as much of the increase as possible “so that travelers are not burdened”.

Overall, Plakiotakis said Easter ferry capacity recouped 82 percent of pre-pandemic 2019 levels. He also referred to the rise in cruise ship approaches set to reach 700 this year, 570 of which will be home porting out of Greece.

Earlier this year, coastal shipping companies announced that they would be reducing ferry speed, combining itineraries, slashing ferry connection frequency, or even doing away with certain routes in order to keep costs down.

Meanwhile, to ease the impact of soaring fuel costs, Greek shipping companies have called on the government to introduce a cap on shipping fuel prices, implement measures that will ensure liquidity, cover employer social security contributions, reduce VAT on ferry tickets from 12 percent to 6 percent, and increase leasing rates by 30 percent for ferry companies serving one-year remote island routes.