He may not have «hit the jackpot» in soccer this year, but at sea, it seems he knows how to snag deals with promising returns. We’re talking about Mario Iliopoulos, owner of AEK Athens FC and operator of the world’s largest fleet of high-speed ferries. Right off the bat in this new season of unprofitable routes, his company is taking over all the routes between Piraeus, Kythira, Crete, and the Peloponnese. The result? It has become the leading player in Kythira’s transportation sector, while it is also «gaining ground» on the regional Peloponnese–Crete route. The result? Those who have been arguing for years that Gythio is the best option for Kythira… «have taken to the square in front of the OPAP Arena and are celebrating with smoke bombs!» But let’s see what this summer—and the future (as we’re learning)—means for the 3 times from Piraeus, 5 times from Gythio, 4 times from Crete connection to Kythira. So let's get to the good part.
The fillet
The ferry route Gythio – Kythira, which for years was limited to one or two flights a week, is now evolving into a strategic transit point for visitors to Kythira. The Seajets It seems he realized this early on, and this year he’s «playing the game» seriously, introducing five trips a week that serve the island from Laconia.
Also, regarding the travel expenses for the passenger, the Gythio–Kythira ferry route operated by Seajets’ Aqua Jewel is emerging as the most cost-effective option for travelers in the summer of 2025. Five trips a week, with the lowest prices and the shortest travel time, it offers a solution that many people seem likely to choose this summer.
Advantages of the Gythio–Kythira Route
Discounted tickets: Fares for adult passengers start at €9, making the trip affordable for everyone.
Frequency of services: With five flights a week, travelers have flexibility in planning their trip.
Short travel time: The trip takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes, offering a quick and comfortable journey to the island.
Ease of Access: Gythio is easily accessible from various parts of the Peloponnese as well as from the national highways, making it an ideal starting point for travelers.
The Contradiction with Piraeus
At the same time, the departure from Piraeus at 06:35 in the morning, three times a week, shows that the company It does not appear to be investing seriously in this connection for the average passenger. On the contrary, it seems to be viewed more as a «stopover» on the way to Antikythira and Kissamos. A tourist or resident who wants to travel to Kythira from the capital must either spend the night at the port or wake up at 4:00 a.m. —a situation that makes no sense, either from a tourism perspective or logically. So, for Gythio–Piraeus, mark it as an Ace.
Gythio, the new «home base» for SEAJET and Iliopoulos
The line Gythio - Kythera seems to be turning into the Seajets' New Area of Commercial Dominance, with Mario Iliopoulos, the company's shipowner, to implement a aggressive penetration strategy and control of local routes. This isn’t the first time Seajets has made a strong entry into routes traditionally served by smaller, local, or established «players.» However, the This year's routine in Kythira is revealing.
Profit Forecast: Gythio – Kythira – Crete, a golden chain along the Aqua Jewel’s route
SeaJets appears to have planned this year's expansion very aggressively Gythio – Kythira – Antikythira – Kissamos route, creating an extremely profitable maritime route which serves three islands and two mainland regions of Greece that are of common interest to tourists.
Based on current data:
Η a frequency of 4 trips per week to Crete via Kythira gives capacity for a continuous flow of passengers and vehicles, especially during peak periods (July–August).
The Tickets are affordable for passengers, but the company generates revenue from the transport of vehicles and trucks (which pay many times as much). And let's not forget that all The routes are subsidized by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs to the tune of several million euros. (New big-name signings are coming—get ready, guys; Avgerini, hide…)
The tourist interest in Kythira and Antikythira It continuously replenishes the ship's intermediate cargo capacity.
The Benefits for Gythio
His conversion Gythio as a major port of departure for Kythira and Crete It benefits not only Seajets, but brings significant revenue and new momentum to the city's local economy. With 5 trips a week, Hundreds of passengers pass through Gythio every day – Many of them spend the night, have a meal, or go shopping before boarding. The hotels, shops, taverns, and ticket agencies They have already seen an increase in traffic over the past three years with two flights a week, while Residents are seeing tourism pick up even away from the beach. In addition, Gythio is gaining upgraded profile as a transportation hub for islands of great interest, a fact that could boost its visibility and lead to new infrastructure investments. If Piraeus seems distant and inaccessible, Gythio becomes the the Peloponnese’s new «island balcony».
Mr. Heliopoulos is playing his own game, and—from a business perspective—he’s playing it right. However, The state and local institutions have a duty to ensure balance: to ensure that our islands do not become «monopoly strongholds,» nor their transportation systems arenas of unfair competition.
Kythera.News
Gythio–Piraeus—score a home run!!... I mean, a visitor coming to Kythira without a car who wants to rent one there, instead of waking up early, says…“Should I take a four-hour bus ride to Gythio so I don’t have to wake up first thing in the morning?” Should I pick it up from Piraeus? And of course, with our own car, it’s better, more relaxing, and safer to board the ferry from Piraeus…The timing is tricky… but it’s still the best and first choice if we want to attract more visitors, so efforts must be made to improve it.