Getting from Astypalaia to Ioannina

If you are heading to Ioannina from Astypalaia you are making your way from a butterfly-shaped island between the Cyclades and the Dodecanese to a city in the mountains of Epirus in northwestern Greece, on the western shore of Lake Pamvotis with the Pindos range behind it and the Vikos Gorge, one of the deepest in the world, an hour away.

Take the ferry

There is no ferry to Ioannina. It is an inland city with no sea connection. Getting there from Astypalaia means taking the ferry to Piraeus and traveling by road or air northwest to Ioannina, or flying from Astypalaia to Athens and then flying to Ioannina.

Getting there by air

Ioannina has its own airport with connections from Athens. Astypalaia has its own small airport with connections from Athens. Flying from Astypalaia to Athens and then Athens to Ioannina gives a total journey time of around 4 to 5 hours. The airport is just 4 kilometres from the city centre. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Your best option

Fly from Astypalaia to Athens and then fly to Ioannina. It is the most practical approach. The KTEL bus from Athens Kifissos terminal to Ioannina runs several times daily and takes around 6 to 7 hours, which is worth considering if you prefer not to fly the second leg. If you are traveling with a car, take the ferry from Astypalaia to Piraeus and drive northwest via the E65 motorway to Ioannina, which takes around 5 to 6 hours from Athens.