Getting from Astakos to Kalamata

If you are heading to Kalamata from Astakos you are making your way from a port town on the western coast of central Greece to the capital of Messenia in the southern Peloponnese, on the opposite side of the country. It has a renovated waterfront, good food and easy access to the Mani peninsula and the Byzantine ruins of Mystras.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Astakos to Kalamata. Astakos ferry connections are limited to Kefalonia and Ithaca. Getting to Kalamata means driving south from Astakos through the Peloponnese, which takes around 4 to 4.5 hours via Patras, Corinth and Tripoli. It is a straightforward road journey that avoids Athens entirely and delivers you directly to the southern Peloponnese.

Getting there by air

Kalamata has an international airport with connections from Athens. Astakos has no airport either. Driving from Astakos to Athens and flying to Kalamata takes around 55 minutes on the second leg. Total journey time is around 5 to 6 hours. The direct drive via Patras and the Peloponnese is more practical and avoids Athens entirely. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Your best option

Drive from Astakos south through the Peloponnese to Kalamata via Patras, Corinth and Tripoli. At around 4 to 4.5 hours it avoids Athens entirely and is the most direct road approach. If you prefer to fly, drive to Athens and fly to Kalamata. If you are traveling with a car the drive south through the Peloponnese is the most practical approach.