Getting from Chios to Astypalaia

If you are heading to Astypalaia from Chios you are making your way from one of the most overlooked islands in the northeastern Aegean to a butterfly-shaped island sitting between the Cyclades and the Dodecanese, on the opposite side of Greece. It has a Chora topped by a Venetian castle that is one of the finest in the Aegean.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Chios to Astypalaia. Getting there by sea means taking the overnight Chios to Piraeus ferry, which runs around 3 times a week and takes around 9 hours, and then boarding the Piraeus to Astypalaia ferry, which runs around 5 times a week and takes around 8 to 12 hours. A more practical sea approach is to take the ferry from Chios to Samos and connect through the eastern Aegean network towards Astypalaia, though this still takes the better part of two days.

Getting there by air

Astypalaia has its own small airport with connections from Athens. Chios has its own airport with daily connections from Athens. Flying from Chios to Athens and then Athens to Astypalaia takes around 1 hour in the air. Total journey time is around 4 to 5 hours. Check the schedule carefully as flights run a limited number of times per week. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Your best option

Fly from Chios to Athens and then fly to Astypalaia. It is the fastest and most practical approach. Check the schedule carefully as flights run a limited number of times per week. Give yourself at least three nights on Astypalaia as the island rewards those who stay long enough to explore both its Cycladic and Dodecanese sides. If you are traveling with a car, take the overnight ferry from Chios to Piraeus and board the overnight Piraeus to Astypalaia ferry, which takes your vehicle and arrives in the morning.