Getting from Anafi to Patmos

If you are heading to Patmos from Anafi you are making your way from one of the most remote islands in the Cyclades to an island in the northern Dodecanese group, where John the Apostle wrote the Book of Revelation and the 11th century monastery of Saint John the Theologian above Chora is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Take the ferry

There is a seasonal direct ferry from Anafi to Patmos 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 7 to 10 hours depending on the vessel and stops along the way. It is a good option if you want to travel by sea and avoid going through Athens entirely. Alternatively, take the ferry from Anafi to Santorini, fly to Athens and then fly to Leros, followed by the short ferry from Leros to Patmos taking around 1 hour.

Getting there by air

Patmos 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 short ferry from Leros to Patmos, 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 short ferry across to Patmos. It is the most practical approach. If you prefer to travel by sea, check whether the seasonal direct ferry from Anafi aligns with your dates as it avoids Athens entirely. If you are traveling with a car, take the overnight ferry from Anafi to Piraeus and board the overnight Piraeus to Patmos ferry, which takes your vehicle and arrives in the morning.