Getting from Arki to Astypalaia

If you are heading to Astypalaia from Arki you are making your way from one of the smallest inhabited islands in the Dodecanese to a butterfly-shaped island sitting between the Cyclades and the Dodecanese, in the same island group. It has a Chora topped by a Venetian castle that is one of the finest in the Aegean.

Take the ferry

There is a seasonal direct ferry from Arki to Astypalaia running in summer on the wider Blue Star route that connects multiple Dodecanese islands. The service runs a limited number of times per week and takes several hours with stops along the way. Alternatively, take the ferry from Arki to Leros, fly to Athens and then fly to Astypalaia, which has its own small airport with connections from Athens.

Getting there by air

Astypalaia has its own small airport with connections from Athens. Arki has no airport either. Taking the local ferry from Arki to Leros, flying to Athens and then Athens to Astypalaia takes around 1 hour in the air. Total journey time is around 4 to 5 hours. Check the schedule carefully as flights run a limited number of times per week. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Your best option

Take the local ferry from Arki to Leros, fly to Athens and then fly to Astypalaia. It is the fastest and most practical approach. Check the ferry schedule from Arki carefully before booking your flights as services run only a limited number of times per week. Give yourself at least three nights on Astypalaia as the island rewards those who stay long enough to explore both its Cycladic and Dodecanese sides. If you are traveling with a car, take the ferry from Arki through the Dodecanese network to Piraeus and board the overnight Piraeus to Astypalaia ferry, which takes your vehicle and arrives in the morning.