9 new ferry operators expand travel options across Greece and beyond
Direct Ferries, the world’s leading ferry ticket aggregator, is pleased to announce the addition of nine new ferry operators to its B2B platform, Direct Ferries Connect. This latest expansion significantly strengthens the platform’s coverage across Greece, giving partners access to an even wider range of routes spanning the Cyclades, Ionian Islands, Dodecanese, North Aegean and Greece–Turkey connections.
The new ferry operators are Goutos Lines, Ionian Sea Ferries, Ionion Pelagos, Karystia Travel, Kasos Princess, Maistros Santorini, Aegean Shipping Company, Sunrise Lines and ANE Kalymnou.
Together, these additions bring greater choice and connectivity to travel businesses looking to offer ferry travel across some of Greece’s most popular island destinations, as well as several important regional routes serving local communities.
Goutos Lines – Lavrio, Kea and Kythnos
Goutos Lines provides ferry connections from Lavrio to Kea (Tzia) and Kythnos, serving the Western Cyclades from mainland Greece. Its 2026 schedules include regular services between Lavrio and the islands, with frequencies varying throughout the year.
The addition of Goutos Lines gives Direct Ferries Connect partners greater access to the Cycladic islands closest to the Attica mainland, supporting both leisure travellers and residents travelling between the islands and Lavrio.
Ionian Sea Ferries – Kefalonia and Zakynthos
Ionian Sea Ferries, also known as Lixouri NE, operates in the Ionian Islands, connecting Kefalonia and Zakynthos, as well as providing services within Kefalonia. The operator serves the Pessada–Agios Nikolaos connection between Kefalonia and Zakynthos and the Lixouri–Argostoli route within Kefalonia.
The operator’s services provide an important link between two of the Ionian Islands’ most popular destinations and add further depth to Direct Ferries Connect’s Greek island coverage.
Ionion Pelagos – Western Greece and the Ionian Islands
Ionion Pelagos strengthens connectivity between Western Greece and the Ionian Islands, with services covering Astakos, Ithaca, Kefalonia, Lefkada and Zakynthos.
Its network includes routes such as Kefalonia (Sami)–Astakos, Ithaca–Astakos, Kefalonia–Ithaca, Kefalonia–Zakynthos and Kefalonia–Lefkada, with services operated by the vessels Ionion Pelagos and Vasos K.
The operator has also introduced 2026 schedules for the Sami–Astakos route, providing additional seasonal options between Kefalonia and mainland Greece.
Karystia Travel – Kea and Kythnos
Karystia Travel adds another connection from Lavrio to Kea and Kythnos, with the operator's Ionis serving the route. Services operate regularly, with more than one departure per day available on the islands depending on the schedule.
Its inclusion alongside Goutos Lines further expands the range of booking options available to Direct Ferries Connect partners across this important Cycladic corridor.
Kasos Princess – Kasos, Karpathos and Sitia
Kasos Princess provides local and seasonal connections in the southeastern Aegean. Its services link Kasos with Pigadia on Karpathos, while summer services also connect Kasos with Sitia in Crete.
For 2026, the operator's published schedules include multiple weekly round trips between Kasos and Karpathos during the summer period, together with a weekly Kasos–Sitia service between June and August.
These services provide valuable links for both residents and visitors travelling between the smaller Dodecanese islands and Crete.
Maistros Santorini – Santorini and the Southern Cyclades
Maistros Santorini expands Direct Ferries Connect’s coverage of the Southern Cyclades, serving routes between Santorini, Ios, Sikinos, Folegandros and Anafi.
The operator’s 2026 network includes services connecting Santorini with these neighbouring islands, providing convenient options for island-hopping and travel between some of the Cyclades’ most popular destinations.
The addition is particularly valuable for partners offering multi-island itineraries, allowing travellers to combine Santorini with several smaller Cycladic destinations.
Aegean Shipping Company – Samos and Kusadasi
Aegean Shipping Company adds an international dimension to the expansion, connecting Pythagorio on Samos with Kusadasi in Turkey.
The seasonal service generally operates between June and September, with crossings designed to provide a convenient connection between the Greek island and the Turkish Aegean coast. Services are operated by the Efesos Express.
This new partnership further strengthens Direct Ferries Connect’s offering for travellers looking to combine Greek island holidays with visits to Turkey.
Sunrise Lines – Chios and Cesme
Sunrise Lines provides regular ferry services between Chios and Cesme in Turkey, offering a direct link between the North Aegean island and the Turkish mainland.
The company, established in 2003, operates the San Nicolas on the Chios–Cesme route, while also managing the Oinousses III, which provides services between Chios and the nearby island of Oinousses.
The addition of Sunrise Lines enhances Direct Ferries Connect’s coverage of Greece–Turkey ferry connections and provides partners with another option for travellers moving between the two countries.
ANE Kalymnou – The Dodecanese
ANE Kalymnou brings an extensive network of Dodecanese connections to the platform. The operator serves routes linking Kalymnos, Kos, Leros, Lipsi, Patmos, Arki, Agathonisi, Samos and Astypalea, as well as the short crossing between Kalymnos and Mastichari on Kos.
Its network includes both inter-island services and important connections to larger regional hubs. The Kalymnos–Mastichari route, for example, operates daily and provides a fast connection between Kalymnos and Kos.
The addition of ANE Kalymnou substantially increases Direct Ferries Connect’s reach across the Dodecanese and gives partners access to a wider selection of routes in this important island group.
Strengthening ferry distribution across Greece
The addition of these nine operators represents a significant expansion of Direct Ferries Connect’s Greek network, covering a diverse mix of routes across the Cyclades, Ionian Islands, Dodecanese and North Aegean, alongside international connections with Turkey.
From short island crossings such as Kalymnos–Mastichari and Lavrio–Kea to international routes such as Samos–Kusadasi and Chios–Cesme, the expanded network gives OTAs, travel platforms and ferry aggregators greater flexibility when building ferry products and itineraries for their customers.
“We’re continually expanding the Direct Ferries Connect network to provide our partners with broader and more comprehensive ferry coverage. These nine new operators significantly strengthen our presence across Greece, from the Ionian Islands and Cyclades to the Dodecanese and the Aegean connections with Turkey”
With these latest additions, Direct Ferries Connect continues to make regional ferry inventory easier for travel businesses to access through its booking API, white-label solutions and dedicated partner support, helping partners broaden their ferry offering and connect travellers with more destinations.
Interested in becoming a Direct Ferries Connect partner? Register through the Direct Ferries Connect platform or contact the partnerships team at partnerships@directferries.com.
