Getting from Astypalaia to Syros

If you are heading to Syros from Astypalaia you are making your way from a butterfly-shaped island between the Cyclades and the Dodecanese to the capital of the Cyclades, relatively close in geographic terms. It has a neoclassical port city of grand mansions and an opera house modelled on La Scala that is one of the most distinctive urban environments in the Greek islands.

Take the ferry

There is a seasonal direct ferry from Astypalaia to Syros running in summer on the wider Blue Star and Seajets routes that connect Astypalaia with the central Cyclades. The service runs a limited number of times per week and takes several hours with stops along the way. It is one of the more natural connections from Astypalaia into the Cyclades and avoids going through Athens entirely. Alternatively take the ferry from Astypalaia to Piraeus and then the Piraeus to Syros ferry, which runs up to 6 daily crossings in summer and takes around 2 hours on the fast boat.

Getting there by air

Syros has a small domestic airport with limited connections from Athens. Astypalaia has its own small airport with connections from Athens. Flying from Astypalaia to Athens and then Athens to Syros gives a total journey time of around 4 to 5 hours. However flights to Syros are limited so the ferry from Piraeus is often more practical after flying to Athens. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Your best option

Take the seasonal direct ferry from Astypalaia to Syros when the schedule works for your dates. It keeps the journey within the Cyclades and avoids Athens entirely. If the timing does not align, fly from Astypalaia to Athens and take the Piraeus to Syros ferry. If you are traveling with a car, take the ferry from Astypalaia to Piraeus and board the conventional Piraeus to Syros ferry, which takes your vehicle directly to Ermoupolis port.