Getting from Anafi to Arki

If you are heading to Arki from Anafi you are making your way from one of the most remote islands in the Cyclades to one of the smallest inhabited islands in Greece, in the northern Dodecanese between Patmos and Lipsi. It has no cars, no proper roads and an atmosphere of complete isolation.

Take the ferry

There is a seasonal direct ferry from Anafi to Arki running in summer on the wider Blue Star route that connects the Cyclades with the Dodecanese. The service runs a limited number of times per week and takes around 8 to 12 hours depending on the vessel and stops. Alternatively, take the ferry from Anafi to Santorini, fly to Athens and then fly 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. Anafi has no airport either. Taking the ferry from Anafi to Santorini, 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 Anafi to Santorini, 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.