Getting from Astypalaia to Skyros

If you are heading to Skyros from Astypalaia you are making your way from a butterfly-shaped island between the Cyclades and the Dodecanese to the most remote of the Sporades group, in the northern Aegean. It has two completely different landscapes, a dramatic hilltop Chora and a wild volcanic south, with its own native horse breed and one of the most extraordinary carnival traditions in Greece.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Astypalaia to Skyros. Skyros is connected to the mainland only via Kymi on the eastern coast of Evia. 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 driving to Kymi for the ferry across to Skyros, which takes around 1 hour 40 minutes and runs 2 to 3 times daily. Alternatively fly from Astypalaia to Athens and then either fly to Skyros directly or drive to Kymi.

Getting there by air

Skyros has its own small airport with connections from Athens, running around twice a week. Astypalaia has its own small airport with connections from Athens. Flying from Astypalaia to Athens and then Athens to Skyros gives a total journey time of around 4 to 5 hours. Check the Athens to Skyros schedule carefully as the service runs a limited number of times per week. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Your best option

Fly from Astypalaia to Athens and connect to Skyros by air or drive to Kymi for the ferry. Flying is the most time efficient approach. If you are traveling with a car, take the ferry from Astypalaia to Piraeus and drive to Kymi for the ferry across to Skyros.