Getting from Astypalaia to Lipsi

If you are heading to Lipsi from Astypalaia you are making your way from a butterfly-shaped island between the Cyclades and the Dodecanese to a small island in the northern Dodecanese group, in the same island family. It has a pretty harbour village, uncrowded beaches and an atmosphere of complete calm.

Take the ferry

There is a seasonal direct ferry from Astypalaia to Lipsi 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. Alternatively take the ferry from Astypalaia to Leros and then the short ferry from Leros to Lipsi, which takes around 20 to 40 minutes.

Getting there by air

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

Your best option

Take the seasonal direct ferry from Astypalaia to Lipsi 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 and take the short ferry across to Lipsi. If you are traveling with a car, take the ferry from Astypalaia to Piraeus and board the overnight Piraeus to Lipsi ferry, which takes your vehicle and arrives in the morning.