Getting from Alonissos to Arki

If you are heading to Arki from Alonissos you are making your way from the most remote of the Sporades group to one of the smallest inhabited islands in Greece, in the northern Dodecanese between Patmos and Lipsi. The two islands are on opposite sides of the Aegean and the journey requires going through Athens. Arki has no cars, no proper roads and an atmosphere of complete isolation.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Alonissos to Arki. Arki is connected to the wider network through Patmos and Lipsi, with local ferries calling a few times a week in summer. Getting there means taking the ferry from Alonissos to Skiathos, flying to Athens and then flying to Leros, followed by the local ferry to Arki via Lipsi, which takes around 1 to 2 hours.

Getting there by air

Arki has no airport. The nearest airports are Leros and Kos. Alonissos has no airport either. Taking the ferry from Alonissos to Skiathos, flying to Athens and then Athens to Leros, followed by the ferry connection to Arki, gives a total journey time of around 6 to 7 hours. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Your best option

Take the ferry from Alonissos to Skiathos, fly to Athens and then fly to Leros and take the local ferry across to Arki. Check the schedule before booking your flights as connections to Arki run only a few times a week in summer. Come entirely self-sufficient as the island has almost no facilities and the isolation is the whole point of being there.