The state of Cyprus ferry services
Cyprus is an island, and for most residents flying is the normal way off it. In 2026 the only scheduled passenger ferry from the Republic of Cyprus was the seasonal link between Limassol and Piraeus (the port of Athens), set up by the Republic of Cyprus and announced each year by the Shipping Deputy Ministry. It ran for its fifth year in 2026, operated by Scandro Holding with the ship AF Marina. It is a summer-only route: the first sailing left Limassol on 29 May 2026 and the last left Piraeus on 1 September 2026. There is no winter service, so from September until the next season starts there is no passenger ferry between Cyprus and Greece. The ship sails direct between Limassol and Piraeus with no calls in Crete or anywhere else, and there is no scheduled passenger ferry from Larnaca port. Cruise ships do call at Limassol, but those are holidays sold by cruise lines, not point-to-point transport. Planning for 2027: the route is confirmed year by year, and at the time of checking (October 2026) the operator's website showed only the 2026 schedule. Watch for the Shipping Deputy Ministry's announcement in spring (in 2026 it came on 16 April, and bookings opened on 22 April 2026) and check the timetable and price list at scandroholding.com. The ship, dates and fares can all change from one year to the next.
Limassol to Piraeus on the AF Marina: what to expect
The scheduled crossing takes about 31 hours in each direction. In 2026, for example, the Tuesday sailing left Limassol at 13:00 and reached Piraeus at 20:00 on Wednesday, and the return left Piraeus at 04:00 on Thursday and reached Limassol at 11:00 on Friday. There were one or two sailings a week each way through June, July and August. All cabins are first-class cabins with beds, a shower and a toilet, and there are cabins for passengers with reduced mobility and for passengers with pets. The cheapest option is a reclining "Airbus" seat. One-way adult fares in 2026, including port taxes of €36.08, were €41.08 for a seat, €66.08 per person in a cabin shared by four, €71.08 per person in a cabin for two and €76.08 for a cabin on your own. Children aged 3 to 12 paid reduced fares and children under 3 travelled free. If you book a double or four-berth cabin you pay for every berth, though you can claim back the port taxes for berths left empty. On board there is a restaurant, coffee shop, bar, paid wifi and a doctor. Tickets are sold online through the operator's booking page at scandroholding.com and through its agents, Orthodoxou Aviation in Cyprus and Proton Aviation Services in Greece. The only travel documents accepted are a civil ID card or a passport. Travelling with an animal? Read the pet import guide first, and compare flying with the flight connectivity tool.
Vehicle transport on the ferry
The ship carries accompanied cars, motorcycles, motorhomes and caravans up to 5 m long, plus bicycles. In 2026 a car or motorhome up to 5 m cost €134.05 to €140.63 one way including taxes, a motorcycle €92.92 and a bicycle nothing; the driver and passengers pay their own fares on top. The rules are strict. The vehicle must travel with its owner, or with a first-degree relative or spouse holding a certified authorisation, and each passenger may bring only one vehicle. Company, commercial, van-type and unaccompanied vehicles are refused, so a rental car is unlikely to be accepted, and a car part-owned by a bank needs the bank's written consent. Vehicles that entered Cyprus through ports or airports in the north cannot board. Vehicle tickets close 7 days before departure, and the vehicle documents (ownership title, ID or passport, valid road tax for Cypriot cars, import documents for other cars) must be sent at least 4 days before sailing. Fully electric and plug-in hybrid cars must have no more than 40% battery charge, and charging on board is not allowed. You cannot get to the car during the crossing. Release of a vehicle arriving in Cyprus is subject to customs approval, so read the operator's vehicle terms before you book. If you are bringing a car to live here, see the car import and registration guide; if you would rather not ship one, see long-term car rental and getting around Cyprus without a car.
Cyprus to Egypt ferry, Haifa, Lebanon and seasonal routes
We could not find a scheduled passenger ferry from the Republic of Cyprus to Egypt, Israel (Haifa) or Lebanon with a published 2026 timetable. Passenger routes to these countries have run in the past and stopped, so if you see one advertised, confirm it with the operator and the Cyprus Ports Authority (cpa.gov.cy) before you rely on it. Sea links to Turkey operate from ports in the north of the island, in the areas not under the effective control of the Government of the Republic of Cyprus. These are a separate legal matter. The Republic of Cyprus Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that the legal points of entry are Larnaca and Paphos airports and the ports of Larnaca, Limassol, Latsi and Paphos, and that entering the Republic through any port or airport in the north breaches its national law. The Limassol to Piraeus ferry also refuses vehicles that entered Cyprus that way. Check current official travel advice before planning a journey that uses those ports. Latchi (Latsi) harbour in Paphos district is one of the legal ports of entry but has no passenger ferry; it is a base for boat trips and private yachts. For day trips to the Akamas coast and its sea caves, compare prices with the boat operators directly.
Practical tips: booking, packing, and the overnight experience
Book early. In 2026 bookings opened on 22 April 2026, about five weeks before the first sailing, and the operator advised early reservations because of high summer demand. Vehicle tickets close 7 days before departure and foot passenger tickets 3 days before, so this is not a turn-up-and-go service. Embarkation opens 4 hours before departure and closes 1 hour before. In Limassol all passengers check in at the Limassol Cruise Terminal; in Piraeus the ship used gate E11 in 2026 (vehicles enter through gate E9). For a 31-hour crossing a cabin is worth the extra over a seat, especially if you can share it. Pets: dogs and cats up to 40 kg travel only in one of the 8 pet-friendly cabins, which must be booked in advance, at €50 per pet each way and a maximum of two pets per passenger. Certain breeds are refused, pets are not allowed in the public areas, and the pet documents are set out in the operator's terms. There are no cash machines on board, so bring a card or cash. Changing the date after your ticket is issued costs €25 per adult per trip.