What this solves
A Greek ferry timetable row looks like a string of codes: vessel name, departure time, arrival time, sometimes route notes. This decoder tells you what the row actually means: how big the ship is, how stable in rough seas, whether there's a cabin or just deck seating, and the common booking traps for that leg. Includes conventional ferry, fast ferry, and hydrofoil worked examples.
Calculator
Format: VESSEL · DAY (optional) HH:MM → HH:MM
How to read the result
The output is a card showing the vessel's profile (size, type, operator) and the journey estimate (crossing time, layover risk). The "layover traps" section flags the things that bite first-time travellers on this kind of boat: tight transfer windows, vehicle-deck queue, cabin availability.
Limitations
- The decoder uses the vessel name + route pattern to infer type. Operators sometimes substitute vessels on the same route — a Blue Star Paros-Naxos slot may run as a chartered vessel of similar size.
- Journey time is computed from departure and arrival times. The "arrival" is the published dock time, not the moment you can walk off — add 10-15 min for ramp-down on conventional ferries.
- On-board amenities are reference values from the operator's marketing page, not a recent inspection.
- Cabin availability is per-sailing. The same vessel may have all cabins sold out and only deck left on a summer weekend.
FAQ
What does "Blue Star 2" mean?
Blue Star Ferries' second-largest conventional car-ferry in their fleet, the Blue Star 2 (sometimes called "Blue Star II"). Length 175m, capacity ~1,800 passengers, 350+ cars. Used on Piraeus-Cyclades long-haul routes.
How fast is "fast"?
Fast ferries (catamarans) like Seajets Champion Jet 2 cruise at 35-40 knots (65-75 km/h). Conventional ferries cruise at 20-24 knots. Time saved: 30-50% on a typical Cyclades leg, but at 2-3x the price.
Are hydrofoils still running?
Limited. Hellenic Seaways and some smaller operators run hydrofoils (Flying Dolphins) on sheltered routes — Piraeus-Saronic islands, Rafina-Andros. They are rare for open-sea crossings and are weather-restricted.
Related tools
Sources
- Blue Star Ferries, Seajets, Hellenic Seaways — fleet specification pages.
- On-board observation: 14 sailings in 2024-2025 across conventional, fast, and hydrofoil boats.
About this tool
Built because most ferry aggregator sites only show times and prices, not what kind of ship. Knowing the vessel type changes whether you should book a cabin or just bring a book for the deck.
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Aegean Compass does not collect personal data. Calculator inputs (timetable row text) stay in your browser and are not transmitted. We display Google AdSense, which sets cookies for ad personalisation. Opt out at adssettings.google.com, aboutads.info, or youronlinechoices.eu. EEA visitors see a Google consent banner before personalised ads load.
Disclaimer
For informational purposes only. Vessel assignments, cabin availability, and amenities change by sailing. Verify on the operator's app on the day. We are not affiliated with any ferry operator.