Getting from Astakos to Leros

If you are heading to Leros from Astakos you are making your way from a port town on the western coast of central Greece to one of the most atmospheric islands in the Dodecanese group, on the opposite side of the country. It has a striking Art Deco Italian colonial port at Lakki and a medieval castle above the main town of Platanos.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Astakos to Leros. Astakos ferry connections are limited to Kefalonia and Ithaca. Getting to Leros by sea means driving from Astakos to Athens, which takes around 3.5 hours, and then boarding the overnight Piraeus to Leros ferry, which runs 3 to 5 times a week and takes around 9 to 13 hours. Flying is considerably more practical for most travelers.

Getting there by air

Leros has its own small airport with daily connections from Athens. Astakos has no airport either. Driving from Astakos to Athens and flying to Leros takes around 50 minutes on the second leg. Total journey time is around 5 to 6 hours. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Your best option

Drive from Astakos to Athens and fly to Leros. It is the fastest and most practical approach. If you are traveling with a car, drive from Astakos to Athens and continue to Piraeus for the overnight Piraeus to Leros ferry, which takes your vehicle and arrives in the morning.