Quick Answer
Mykonos is sometimes a tender port and sometimes a dock. Ships either berth at the New Port in Tourlos, about 2.5–3 km north of town, or anchor and tender to the Old Port on the edge of Mykonos Town. From Tourlos, the Sea Bus runs about every 30 minutes to the Old Port in 10–12 minutes for €2–2.50 one way (2026). From the Old Port, Little Venice, the windmills and Paraportiani are 10–15 minutes on foot. Be back at the Sea Bus or tender pier 90 minutes before all-aboard: 16:00 for a 17:30 all-aboard.
Where the Risk Actually Is
The town is compact and the morning is easy. The risk is the afternoon, because your way back depends on one of three things:
- ·The Sea Bus runs about every 30 minutes. A full boat means waiting for the next one.
- ·The tender, if you are at anchor. The last tender usually leaves 30 minutes before all-aboard, and the afternoon queue can take 30 minutes or more.
- ·Taxis are not a backup. Mykonos has only a few dozen, and waits are long when ships and ferries arrive together.
Wind adds a fourth factor. In July and August, strong meltemi winds can stop the Sea Bus and the Delos boats and make tender transfers rough.
Docked or Tendered: Check Your Daily Programme
The port authority decides per call, and your daily programme says which applies.
Docked at Tourlos (New Port). The berths are north of town, shared with ferries. Few toilets and little shade when several ships are in. Options into town:
| Option | Cost (2026) | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sea Bus to the Old Port | €2–2.50 one way | 10–12 min | About every 30 min in season. Tickets at the kiosk on the pier. May stop in strong north winds. |
| Cruise-line or port shuttle | Often free; some lines charge | 10–15 min | Every 15–30 min to the edge of town. Note the last return time. |
| KTEL bus | €1.50–2.50 one way | About 10 min to Fabrika, about 20 min to the Old Port | Fabrika every 30–60 min; Old Port about hourly. Cash to the driver or at the kiosk. |
| Walk | Free | 30–40 min | Busy coastal road, no pavement in places. Not recommended. |
Tendered to the Old Port. Tenders land on the northern edge of Mykonos Town, a 5–10 minute walk from the centre. On days with several ships, expect tender waits of 20–45 minutes in the morning.
The Return Rule
Be at the Old Port Sea Bus pier, or the tender pier, 90 minutes before all-aboard.
| All-aboard | At the Old Port pier by |
|---|---|
| 17:00 | 15:30 |
| 17:30 | 16:00 |
| 18:00 | 16:30 |
| 19:00 | 17:30 |
That allows for a full Sea Bus and one missed departure, or for an afternoon tender queue.
If the Sea Bus is full or not running: take the KTEL bus from the Old Port station to the New Port (about 20 minutes), or walk 35–40 minutes along the coast road. Call the ship's port agent (number in your daily programme) if you will be late.
The Town: What to See
Everything below is free and within 10–15 minutes of the Old Port on foot.
- ·Little Venice: 18th-century captains' houses with balconies over the sea. About 30 minutes. Go in the morning; it is packed at sunset.
- ·Kato Mili windmills: on the low ridge above Little Venice, five minutes' walk from it. About 20 minutes. Little shade. Best before 10:00 or after 15:00.
- ·Panagia Paraportiani: five chapels joined into one whitewashed building, close to the Old Port. A good first or last stop.
- ·Matoyianni Street and the Chora lanes: 1–2 hours. Busiest from 10:00 to 13:00. Note landmarks so you can find your way back.
- ·Archaeological Museum of Mykonos: €5 (2025), near the Old Port. Open 09:00–16:00, closed Tuesdays in the 2025 schedule.
The Beach Decision
Beach buses leave from Fabrika station on the south side of town. Each costs €1.50–2.50 one way (2026).
| Beach | Bus time | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ornos | 5 min | Every 30 min | Sheltered sandy bay, good in north winds |
| Platis Gialos | 10 min | Roughly hourly | Family beach with sunbeds |
| Paradise | 15 min | Every 30–60 min | Beach bars and music |
| Agios Stefanos | 5 min from the Old Port station, or 15–20 min walk from Tourlos | — | Closest sandy beach to the New Port |
The risk is the bus back, not the distance. With Platis Gialos buses roughly hourly, missing one can cost you an hour. Plan to catch a bus back from the beach that leaves a full spare bus interval before you need to be at the pier. Ornos, with buses every 30 minutes, is the safer choice on a short call. If you are docked at Tourlos, Agios Stefanos is close to the ship.
Delos
The sacred island and archaeological site, 30–40 minutes by boat from the old harbour. €20 boat return plus €20 site entry (2025–2026). Boats leave at 09:00, 10:00 and 11:30, Tuesday to Sunday. Return by the 12:00 or 13:30 boat; the 15:00 return leaves little margin. On Mondays boats run less often (10:00 out, 13:30 back). Sailings are cancelled in strong winds. Take water and a hat; there is little shade.
Two Low-Risk Plans
Town and Delos (17:30 all-aboard, docked at Tourlos):
| Time | Action |
|---|---|
| 08:15 | Sea Bus to the Old Port |
| 08:45 | Buy Delos boat tickets at the kiosk (sold from 15 minutes before departure) |
| 09:00 | Boat to Delos |
| 12:00 | Boat back to Mykonos |
| 12:45 | Lunch in Chora, then Little Venice and the windmills |
| 14:30 | Paraportiani and the lanes around Matoyianni Street |
| 16:00 | Sea Bus back to Tourlos; on board by 16:30 |
Town and beach: walk the town early, take a bus to Ornos from Fabrika, and come back with a spare bus in hand. Be at the Old Port pier by your leave-by time.
DIY vs Ship Excursion
| Ship excursion | DIY (2026) | |
|---|---|---|
| Town walk | Guided walk; price varies by line | Free on foot after a €2–2.50 Sea Bus |
| Beach afternoon | Beach transfer; price varies by line | €1.50–2.50 bus each way |
| Delos | Guided tour; price varies by line | €20 boat return + €20 entry |
Mykonos is easy to do on your own. The case for a ship tour is Delos when the public boats do not fit your call, or when meltemi winds make independent boats unreliable.
FAQ
Is Mykonos a tender port?
Sometimes. Some ships dock at the New Port in Tourlos; others anchor and tender to the Old Port in town. Your daily programme says which.
How long is the tender queue?
On days with several ships, expect 20–45 minutes in the morning. In the afternoon the queue can take 30 minutes or more, and the last tender usually leaves 30 minutes before all-aboard.
Can I do both the town and a beach?
Yes, if you choose a beach with frequent buses, such as Ornos, and keep a spare bus interval before your pier time.
Is the Greek cruise fee charged in Mykonos?
Yes. €20 per disembarking passenger from June to September, €12 in April, May and October and €4 from November to March, charged by your cruise line.
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