Getting from Arki to Ios

If you are heading to Ios from Arki you are making your way from one of the smallest inhabited islands in the Dodecanese to an island in the southern Cyclades, on the opposite side of the Aegean. 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 a seasonal direct ferry from Arki to Ios running in summer on the wider Blue Star route that connects the Dodecanese with the Cyclades. The service runs a limited number of times per week and takes many hours with stops along the way through multiple islands. A more practical approach is to take the ferry from Arki to Leros, fly to Athens and then fly to Santorini and take the short ferry from Santorini to Ios, which takes around 35 minutes and runs multiple times daily in summer.

Getting there by air

Ios has no airport. The nearest airport is Santorini. Arki has no airport either. Taking the local ferry from Arki to Leros, 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 local ferry from Arki to Leros, fly to Athens and then fly to Santorini and take the short ferry across to Ios. It is the 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. If you are traveling with a car, take the ferry from Arki through the Dodecanese network to Piraeus and board the conventional Piraeus to Ios ferry, which takes your vehicle directly to the island.