Overnight Greek Ferry Review and Tour – Lefka Ori | Bluestar | Superfast From Athens.
After stepping off a week on Explora Journeys — where everything from the lighting to the coffee temperature is curated — we found ourselves boarding the Lefka Ori, an overnight ferry from Athens to Kos.
It was part necessity, part curiosity. We needed to get to Kos, but we also wanted to experience the contrast between luxury cruising and the very different world of Greek ferries.
We booked a cabin. And now, after 15 hours at sea, we can answer the question: Do you really need a cabin on a Greek ferry? For us — the answer was yes. And here’s why.
The Route: Athens to Kos (and a Few Islands Along the Way)
We travelled on 31 August, departing Piraeus at 6:00 PM and arriving in Kos around 9:30 AM the next day — a journey of about 15 hours. The Greek ferry made stops at several islands overnight, including Paros, Leros, and Kos before finishing in Rhodes, though some passed unnoticed as we were already asleep.
We’d originally booked a double bed cabin on the Asterion II, but the ship was swapped last-minute to the Lefka Ori. No explanation, and no alternative options when we checked — we were given a four-berth cabin family cabin, which turned out to be fine.
🚪 Our Cabin: Basic but Comfortable
The cabin was located on the outer deck, with a window (but no balcony, of course — this is a ferry) that looked out over the outside walkway. The windows were two way, so curtains stayed closed most of the time especially as plenty for people were enjoying the Greek sunshine outside, still, it felt private.
Inside, we found:
- A 4 beds ( not the double bed but still comfortable)
- Private bathroom with shower and towels
- Air conditioning
- A small desk
- Clean, if dated furnishings
- Soft pillows (two each), and a mattress that was better than expected
It wasn’t luxury — but it was quiet, surprisingly restful, and did exactly what it needed to do: give us a good night’s sleep in a private space. After the formality and service of Explora, it was a shift — but not an unpleasant one.
At €130 for the cabin, plus about €60 per person for the tickets, the total came to €258 for two people. For 15 hours of overnight travel, that felt just about fair in peak season for a Greek Ferry.
🪑 What Are the Other Options?
Not everyone on the Lefka Ori had a cabin — and the other seating options range from acceptable to awkward.
Aircraft-Style Seats
Located in designated lounges, these seats recline slightly but don’t allow you to lift the armrests, which limits your ability to lie down or stretch out properly. For a daytime crossing, they’d be fine. For overnight, they looked uncomfortable. Even people who had booked them were laying in the aisle rather than using their seat. .
Lounge Sofas and Casual Seating
Scattered throughout the ship are padded benches, couches, and general lounge areas. The catch? They’re claimed early, and once you’ve found a good one, you’re unlikely to leave it for fear of losing it. you also are likely to want to keep an eye on your luggage, though i think it will be pretty safe on board.
Floor Space (Yes, Really)
We saw one man sleeping in what the deck plan labelled as a kids’ TV area — on the floor. Not a student backpacker, just someone clearly making the best of it. It worked, but it’s probably not the experience most travellers are after and they did end up on the ferry guide video.
The “Casino”
A former casino space is still open as seating, and had some of the better sofas onboard — a few people quietly turned it into a makeshift lounge for the night and if there is a group of you you could have quite a nice time here.
🛏 Why a Cabin Made Sense for Us
For us, booking a cabin came down to three things:
- Privacy – Somewhere to close the door, take a shower, change clothes, and decompress after a busy travel day.
- Sleep – A proper bed meant we arrived in Kos rested, not wrecked.
- Security – We had space for our bags, and didn’t need to keep one eye open all night.
The Lefka Ori isn’t trying to be a hotel — but with a cabin, it functioned like one, and that was enough.
It also helped that we’re past the age where sleeping across three chairs or on a carpet is even remotely appealing.
🍴 Onboard Food and Facilities
The ferry has a few onboard restaurants and a small shop.
- The snack bar offered basic food — a ham and cheese sandwich was affordable, if not memorable. The spanakopita (spinach pie) was a better choice.
- Drinks at the bar were reasonably priced — from what we understand, Greek ferries are required to keep some items at accessible prices.
- The shop sold big-brand chocolate bars, drinks, and cigarettes — enough to keep you going for a night.
There was also a swimming pool… without water. A remnant from a previous life, no doubt.
⚠️ A Few Practical Notes
- Boarding is fast — these ferries don’t linger in port. Make sure you’re near the exit if disembarking at one of the earlier island stops.
- Announcements are hard to hear in the cabins — set an alarm if you’re getting off before the final stop.
- Use Ferryhopper to book — it’s simple, reliable, and we’ll be showing how to use it in our upcoming video.
🎯 Final Verdict: Is a Cabin Worth It?
For us, absolutely. Not because it’s luxurious, but because it was a private, quiet space to rest after a long day. If you think of it as transport with a bed, rather than a hotel experience, it makes sense.
We arrived in Kos rested and refreshed — and looking around at the others disembarking, we were clearly in the minority. We stayed in a great little hotel on the harbor that was only 15 min walk from the ferry as well. You can check out the video of it here – The best located hotel in Kos Town.
So, do you need a cabin? If you’re travelling overnight, carrying luggage, or just prefer a bit of comfort and calm — you’ll be glad you booked one.
We also have an ever expanding set of first timer guides to other Greek islands and beyond, you can check these out in the table below.
| Athens | Corfu | Crete | Kalymnos | Kefalonia |
| Kos | Lesbos | Milos | Mykonos | Naxos |
| Paros | Patmos | Paxos | Rhodes | Samos |
| Santorini | Syros | Zakynthos |
🎥 Related Videos from the Trip
- Lefka Ori Cabin Tour – What You Really Get for €130
- Full Ship Walkthrough – Lefka Ori Ferry from Athens to Kos
- (Coming soon: “How to Book a Greek Ferry Using Ferryhopper”)
