Getting from Alexandroupoli to Ikaria

If you are heading to Ikaria from Alexandroupoli you are making your way from the far northeastern corner of Greece to one of the world's Blue Zones, a mountainous island in the eastern Aegean where people live measurably longer than almost anywhere else on earth and the local explanation tends to involve sleeping late, eating well and ignoring schedules.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Alexandroupoli to Ikaria. Alexandroupoli's ferry connections are limited to Samothrace, Lemnos, Agios Efstratios and Lavrio. Getting to Ikaria by sea means flying to Athens first and then taking the Piraeus to Ikaria ferry, which runs around 3 times a week and takes around 7 to 11 hours depending on the vessel. Ikaria has two ports, Agios Kirikos in the south and Evdilos in the north, so check which port your ferry arrives at before booking accommodation as the mountain road between them takes well over an hour.

Getting there by air

Ikaria has its own small airport with connections from Athens running around 3 times a week. Flying from Alexandroupoli to Athens and then Athens to Ikaria gives a total journey time of around 4 to 5 hours. A direct seasonal flight between Samos and Ikaria may also exist, worth checking if you are routing through the eastern Aegean.

Your best option

Fly from Alexandroupoli to Athens and then fly to Ikaria. Check the schedule carefully as flights are limited and do not run daily. Build flexibility into your plans once you arrive. Ikaria runs on its own schedule and that is entirely the point. If you are traveling with a car, drive from Alexandroupoli to Piraeus and board the overnight Piraeus to Ikaria ferry, which takes your vehicle and arrives in the morning.