Getting from Astakos to Skyros

If you are heading to Skyros from Astakos you are making your way from a port town on the western coast of central Greece to the most remote of the Sporades group, in the northern Aegean. It has two completely different landscapes, a dramatic hilltop Chora and a wild volcanic south, with its own native horse breed and one of the most extraordinary carnival traditions in Greece.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Astakos to Skyros. Astakos ferry connections are limited to Kefalonia and Ithaca. Skyros is connected to the mainland only via Kymi on the eastern coast of Evia. Getting to Skyros means driving from Astakos to Kymi, which takes around 4 to 5 hours via Athens or the E65 motorway and Lamia, and then taking the ferry across to Skyros, which takes around 1 hour 40 minutes and runs 2 to 3 times daily.

Getting there by air

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

Your best option

Drive from Astakos to Kymi and take the ferry across to Skyros. It avoids Athens entirely and is the most practical approach. The drive from Astakos to Kymi takes around 4 to 5 hours via the E65 motorway and Lamia and delivers you to the ferry port for the crossing to Skyros. If you prefer to fly, drive to Athens and connect to Skyros by air.