Getting from Andros to Ithaca

If you are heading to Ithaca from Andros you are making your way from the northernmost island in the Cyclades to an island in the Ionian Sea, on the opposite side of Greece. It is the legendary home of Odysseus with a deep central bay at Vathy that is one of the most beautiful natural harbours in the Ionian.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Andros to Ithaca. No Aegean island is connected by sea to any Ionian island. Getting there means taking the ferry from Andros to Rafina, which runs up to 11 times daily and takes around 1 to 2 hours, flying to Athens and then either flying to Kefalonia and taking the short ferry from Sami to Ithaca, which takes around 20 to 30 minutes, or traveling by road to Astakos for the direct ferry to Ithaca, which takes around 2 to 2.5 hours.

Getting there by air

Ithaca has no airport. The nearest airport is Kefalonia. Andros has no airport either. Taking the ferry from Andros to Rafina, flying to Athens and then Athens to Kefalonia, followed by the short ferry from Sami to Ithaca, gives a total journey time of around 5 to 6 hours. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Your best option

Take the ferry from Andros to Rafina, fly to Athens and then fly to Kefalonia and take the short ferry across to Ithaca from Sami. It is the most practical approach. If you are traveling with a car, the ferry from Andros already puts you at Rafina with your vehicle, then drive to Astakos or Patras for the ferry across to Ithaca.