Cruises to Mykonos

The main cruise port is about a mile north of Mykonos Town (on the other side of a very steep hill). Shuttle buses transport passengers to town, where you can catch buses or take a taxi to the beaches. If you anchor offshore and are tendered to the island, you'll alight at the Old Port in the town itself.

Because the island is so small, journey times anywhere are short. There is a cheap (fares between €2.20 and €3) and reliable bus service from the town to all the main beaches, but services can get crowded in July and August. Small boats called caïques also act as taxis, taking people from the Old Port to the various beaches. These are reliable and popular services. Commercial taxis operate on fixed-fare routes, but the taxi system is easily overburdened when a large ship is in port. These are posted at the taxi rank in Manto Mavrogenous Square, just inland from the Old Port. In the peak of summer, you’re advised to reserve a taxi in advance if you need one to get to anywhere on the island—that is, if you can. There simply aren’t enough taxis to meet the demand.

Most travel offices in Mykonos Town run guided tours to Delos that cost about €60, including boat transportation and entry fee. Alternatively, take one of the caïques that visit Delos daily from the Old Port: the round-trip costs about €20, and entry to the site (with no guide) is €12. They leave daily at 9, 10, and 11 am, and 5 pm, and return at noon, 1:30, 3, and 7:30 pm.

With reliable transportation services, car rental isn't absolutely necessary, but if you want to do some exploring on your own, you can rent an ATV or scooter for two people in town for about €20–€50, depending on the season; motor scooters are not recommended for inexperienced riders (each year people are seriously injured because they don't know how to ride the many hills and narrow roads of Mykonos). A rental car costs between €25 and €50 per day for a subcompact.