Getting from Alonissos to Ikaria

If you are heading to Ikaria from Alonissos you are making your way from the most remote of the Sporades group 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 Alonissos to Ikaria. The two islands are in different parts of the Aegean with no sea connection between them. Getting there means taking the ferry from Alonissos to Skiathos, flying to Athens and then taking the Piraeus to Ikaria ferry, which runs around 3 times a week and takes around 7 to 11 hours. 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. Alonissos has no airport. Taking the ferry from Alonissos to Skiathos, flying to Athens and then Athens to Ikaria gives a total journey time of around 5 to 6 hours. Check the schedule carefully as flights are limited. 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 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, take the ferry from Alonissos to Volos, drive to Piraeus and board the overnight Piraeus to Ikaria ferry, which takes your vehicle and arrives in the morning.