How much island trips cost

The increased operational and salary costs are keeping ferry ticket prices high, out of reach for many Greeks who want to travel to the islands.

For instance, to travel from Piraeus to Syros in August and return, it costs a family of four 231 euros by conventional ship and €508 by high-speed vessels. The same family needs €642 to go to Iraklio with a cabin, while if they take a car, the return trip costs exceed the minimum net salary in Greece. 

Meanwhile, costs are skyrocketing on intra-Cycladic high-speed ferry routes. The one-way fare from Milos to Amorgos in economy class costs €105 per person, while from Milos to Santorini it's €93.70. A single fare from Naxos to Folegandros on a high-speed ferry in August is priced at €76.70, while on a conventional ferry that runs a subsidized line with many stops, it's just €10. This is the benefit that the rational use of...