Getting from Astypalaia to Tilos

If you are heading to Tilos from Astypalaia you are making your way from a butterfly-shaped island between the Cyclades and the Dodecanese to another island in the same group, further south. It is the first island in the Mediterranean to run entirely on renewable energy with good walking trails and a wild coastline.

Take the ferry

There is a seasonal direct ferry from Astypalaia to Tilos 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 and Rhodes before reaching Tilos. It is the most natural sea connection and keeps the journey entirely within the Dodecanese without going through Athens. Alternatively take the ferry from Astypalaia to Rhodes and then the local ferry from Rhodes to Tilos, which takes around 2 to 3 hours.

Getting there by air

Tilos has no airport. The nearest airports are Rhodes and Kos. Astypalaia has its own small airport with connections from Athens. Flying from Astypalaia to Athens and then Athens to Rhodes, followed by the local ferry from Rhodes to Tilos, 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 Tilos when the schedule works for your dates. 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 Rhodes and take the local ferry across to Tilos. Check the Rhodes to Tilos schedule before booking your flights as the service does not run daily.