Getting from Astypalaia to Nisyros

If you are heading to Nisyros from Astypalaia you are making your way from a butterfly-shaped island between the Cyclades and the Dodecanese to one of the most geologically dramatic islands in the same group, further south. The entire island sits inside a volcanic caldera and the crater at Stefanos is one of the most accessible volcanic landscapes in Europe.

Take the ferry

There is a seasonal direct ferry from Astypalaia to Nisyros running in summer on the wider Blue Star and Dodekanisos Seaways routes. The service runs a limited number of times per week and takes several hours with stops along the way through Kos, from where the local ferry to Nisyros takes around 1 to 1.5 hours. It is the most natural sea connection and keeps the journey entirely within the Dodecanese without going through Athens.

Getting there by air

Nisyros has no airport. The nearest airport is Kos. Astypalaia has its own small airport with connections from Athens. Flying from Astypalaia to Athens and then Athens to Kos, followed by the local ferry from Kos to Nisyros, gives a total journey time of 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 south to Kos and then take the local ferry across to Nisyros. 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 Kos and take the local ferry across to Nisyros. Check the Kos to Nisyros schedule before booking as the service does not run daily.