Getting from Astypalaia to Telendos

If you are heading to Telendos from Astypalaia you are making your way from a butterfly-shaped island between the Cyclades and the Dodecanese to a tiny car-free island sitting just 800 metres off the western coast of Kalymnos in the same island group. It has some of the finest rock climbing in the Dodecanese on the limestone cliffs above it and a waterfront of tavernas facing across the narrow channel to Kalymnos.

Take the ferry

There is a seasonal direct ferry from Astypalaia to Kalymnos running in summer via the Blue Star and Dodekanisos Seaways routes, taking around 2 to 4 hours with stops along the way. From Kalymnos the local boat to Telendos departs from Myrties on the western coast, with boats running every 30 minutes throughout the day and the trip taking around 5 minutes. This keeps the journey entirely within the Dodecanese and avoids Athens entirely.

Getting there by air

Telendos has no airport. The nearest airports are Kalymnos and Kos. Astypalaia has its own small airport with connections from Athens. Flying from Astypalaia to Athens and then Athens to Kalymnos, followed by a taxi to Myrties and the local boat to Telendos, 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 Kalymnos and then make your way to Myrties for the local boat across to Telendos. It keeps the journey entirely within the Dodecanese and avoids Athens entirely. If the timing does not align, fly from Astypalaia to Athens and then fly to Kalymnos. Give yourself at least two nights on Telendos. The island is small enough to walk around in an hour and tranquil enough to make you want to stay considerably longer.