Getting from Antikythera to Ios

If you are heading to Ios from Antikythera you are making your way from one of the most remote islands in Greece to an island in the southern Cyclades, on the opposite side of the country. It has some of the finest beaches in the Cyclades on its south coast and a Chora above the port that comes alive in the evening.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Antikythera to Ios. Antikythera's ferry connections are limited to Kythira, Piraeus, Kissamos in Crete and occasional ports on the southern Peloponnese. Getting to Ios means taking the ferry from Antikythera to Piraeus, which takes around 9 hours, and then boarding the Piraeus to Ios ferry, which runs multiple times daily in summer and takes around 4 to 8 hours depending on the vessel. Alternatively, take the ferry from Antikythera to Kythira, fly to Athens and then fly to Santorini and take the short ferry from Santorini to Ios, which takes around 35 minutes.

Getting there by air

Ios has no airport. The nearest airport is Santorini. Antikythera has no airport, only a helipad. Taking the ferry from Antikythera to Kythira, flying to Athens and then Athens to Santorini, followed by the short ferry to Ios, 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 Antikythera to Kythira, fly to Athens and then fly to Santorini and take the short ferry across to Ios. It is the most practical approach. If you are traveling with a car, take the overnight ferry from Antikythera to Piraeus and board the conventional Piraeus to Ios ferry, which takes your vehicle directly to the island.