Getting from Astakos to Ikaria

If you are heading to Ikaria from Astakos you are making your way from a port town on the western coast of central Greece to one of the world's Blue Zones, a mountainous island in the eastern Aegean where people live measurably longer than almost anywhere else on earth and the local explanation tends to involve sleeping late, eating well and ignoring schedules.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Astakos to Ikaria. Astakos ferry connections are limited to Kefalonia and Ithaca. Getting to Ikaria by sea means driving from Astakos to Athens, which takes around 3.5 hours, and then boarding the Piraeus to Ikaria ferry, which runs around 3 times a week and takes around 7 to 11 hours. Ikaria has two ports, Agios Kirikos in the south and Evdilos in the north, so check which port your ferry arrives at before booking accommodation as the mountain road between them takes well over an hour.

Getting there by air

Ikaria has its own small airport with connections from Athens running around 3 times a week. Astakos has no airport either. Driving from Astakos to Athens and flying to Ikaria gives a total journey time of around 5 to 6 hours. Check the schedule carefully as flights are limited. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Your best option

Drive from Astakos to Athens and fly to Ikaria. Check the schedule carefully as flights are limited and do not run daily. Build flexibility into your plans once you arrive. Ikaria runs on its own schedule and that is entirely the point. If you are traveling with a car, drive from Astakos to Athens and continue to Piraeus for the overnight Piraeus to Ikaria ferry, which takes your vehicle and arrives in the morning.