Getting from Athens to Karpathos

If you are heading to Karpathos from Athens you are going to one of the most rugged and most rewarding islands in the Dodecanese. Karpathos sits between Rhodes and Crete, a long mountainous island of dramatic landscapes, strong winds and a tradition of local culture that has survived more intact than almost anywhere else in Greece. The north of the island around the village of Olympos is extraordinary, a place of women in traditional dress, windmills still in use and customs that trace back centuries. The beaches on the east coast are excellent, particularly Apella, which is among the finest in the Dodecanese. The island is large enough to absorb its visitors and remote enough to feel genuinely unhurried.

Take the ferry

The Piraeus to Karpathos ferry runs a few times a week year-round, taking around 16 to 18 hours. It is a long crossing and most travellers fly. The island has two ports, Karpathos Town in the south and Diafani in the north, with the north being the gateway to the village of Olympos. Check which port your ferry arrives at if you are heading to the northern part of the island.

Getting there by air

Both Athens and Karpathos have airports. Daily connections from Athens to Karpathos take around 1 hour and this is the fastest and most practical approach for most travellers.

Your best option

Fly from Athens. The daily flight takes around 1 hour and is considerably more practical than the 16 to 18 hour ferry crossing. If you want to reach the northern village of Olympos, fly into Karpathos Town and take the local ferry or boat taxi north to Diafani, from where Olympos is a short drive or hike up the mountain.