Getting from Astypalaia to Ithaca

If you are heading to Ithaca from Astypalaia you are making your way from a butterfly-shaped island between the Cyclades and the Dodecanese to an island in the Ionian Sea, on the opposite side of Greece. It is the legendary home of Odysseus with a deep central bay at Vathy that is one of the most beautiful natural harbours in the Ionian.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Astypalaia to Ithaca. No Aegean island is connected by sea to any Ionian island. Getting there means taking the ferry from Astypalaia to Piraeus, which runs around 5 times a week and takes around 8 to 12 hours, and then either flying to Kefalonia and taking the short ferry from Sami to Ithaca, which takes around 20 to 30 minutes, or driving to Astakos for the direct ferry to Ithaca, which takes around 2 to 2.5 hours. Alternatively fly from Astypalaia to Athens and then fly to Kefalonia.

Getting there by air

Ithaca has no airport. The nearest airport is Kefalonia. Astypalaia has its own small airport with connections from Athens. Flying from Astypalaia to Athens and then Athens to Kefalonia, followed by the short ferry from Sami to Ithaca, gives a total journey time of around 5 to 6 hours. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Your best option

Fly from Astypalaia to Athens and then fly to Kefalonia and take the short ferry across to Ithaca from Sami. It is the most practical approach. If you are traveling with a car, take the ferry from Astypalaia to Piraeus and drive to Astakos or Patras for the ferry across to Ithaca.