Getting from Anafi to Ikaria

If you are heading to Ikaria from Anafi you are making your way from one of the most remote islands in the Cyclades 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 a seasonal direct ferry from Anafi to Ikaria running in summer on the wider Blue Star route that connects the Cyclades with the eastern Aegean. The service runs a limited number of times per week and takes around 8 to 12 hours depending on the vessel and stops. It is a good option if you want to travel by sea and avoid going through Athens entirely. 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. Anafi has no airport. Taking the ferry from Anafi to Santorini, flying to Athens and then Athens to Ikaria takes around 50 minutes on the second leg. Total journey time is 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 Anafi to Santorini, 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 overnight ferry from Anafi to Piraeus and board the overnight Piraeus to Ikaria ferry, which takes your vehicle and arrives in the morning.