Getting from Astypalaia to Rhodes

If you are heading to Rhodes from Astypalaia you are making your way from a butterfly-shaped island between the Cyclades and the Dodecanese to the largest island in the same group, further south. It has a medieval walled city built by the Knights of Saint John that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best preserved medieval towns in Europe.

Take the ferry

There is a seasonal direct ferry from Astypalaia to Rhodes running in summer on the wider Blue Star and Dodekanisos Seaways routes that connect Astypalaia with the southern Dodecanese. The service runs a limited number of times per week and takes around 6 to 10 hours with stops along the way through Kos and other islands. It is the most natural sea connection and keeps the journey entirely within the Dodecanese without going through Athens.

Getting there by air

Rhodes has an international 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 Rhodes takes around 55 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

Fly from Astypalaia to Athens and then fly to Rhodes. It is the fastest and most practical approach. If you prefer to travel by sea, check whether the seasonal direct ferry from Astypalaia aligns with your dates as it keeps the journey within the Dodecanese entirely. If you are traveling with a car, take the ferry from Astypalaia to Piraeus and board the overnight Piraeus to Rhodes ferry, which takes your vehicle and arrives in the morning.