Getting from Arki to Meteora

If you are heading to Meteora from Arki you are making your way from one of the smallest inhabited islands in the Dodecanese to one of the most extraordinary places in Greece, a complex of Byzantine monasteries built on top of rock pillars in the plain of Thessaly in central Greece.

Take the ferry

There is no ferry to Meteora. It is an inland destination with no sea connection. Getting there from Arki means taking the ferry to Leros and flying via Athens first, then traveling by road to Kalambaka, the town at the base of the Meteora rocks.

Getting there by air

Meteora has no airport. The nearest town is Kalambaka, around 3.5 to 4 hours by road from Athens. Note that as of 2026 the direct train service between Athens and Kalambaka remains suspended due to track damage and the KTEL bus is currently the main public transport option, taking around 4 to 4.5 hours from Athens Liosion terminal. Taking the local ferry from Arki to Leros, flying to Athens and then taking the KTEL bus to Kalambaka gives a total journey time of around 7 to 8 hours.

Your best option

Take the local ferry from Arki to Leros, fly to Athens and take the KTEL bus from Athens Liosion terminal to Kalambaka. 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 drive northwest to Kalambaka via the E65 motorway, which takes around 3.5 to 4 hours from Athens. Plan at least two nights in Kalambaka as the monasteries and viewpoints deserve more than a rushed visit.