Getting from Astypalaia to Leros

If you are heading to Leros from Astypalaia you are making your way from a butterfly-shaped island between the Cyclades and the Dodecanese to one of the most atmospheric islands in the same group. 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 a seasonal direct ferry from Astypalaia to Leros running in summer on the wider Blue Star route that connects Astypalaia with the northern Dodecanese. The service runs a limited number of times per week and takes several hours with stops along the way. It is the most natural sea connection and keeps the journey entirely within the Dodecanese without going through Athens.

Getting there by air

Leros has its own small airport with daily connections from Athens. Astypalaia has its own small airport with connections from Athens. Flying from Astypalaia to Athens and then Athens to Leros takes around 50 minutes on the second leg. Total journey time is around 4 to 5 hours. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Your best option

Take the seasonal direct ferry from Astypalaia to Leros when the schedule works for your dates. It keeps the journey within the Dodecanese and avoids Athens entirely. If the timing does not align, fly from Astypalaia to Athens and then fly to Leros. If you are traveling with a car, take the ferry from Astypalaia to Piraeus and board the overnight Piraeus to Leros ferry, which takes your vehicle and arrives in the morning.