Getting from Chios to Elafonisos

If you are heading to Elafonisos from Chios you are making your way from one of the most overlooked islands in the northeastern Aegean to a small island off the southern Peloponnese coast, on the opposite side of Greece. It has pink-tinged sand beaches that are among the finest in Greece and a setting of extraordinary natural beauty.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Chios to Elafonisos. Elafonisos is accessible only by the short local ferry from Pounta on the southern Peloponnese. Getting there means taking the overnight Chios to Piraeus ferry, which runs around 3 times a week and takes around 9 hours, and then driving south through the Peloponnese via Corinth, Tripoli and Sparta to Pounta, where the 10 minute ferry to Elafonisos runs every 30 minutes in summer. Alternatively fly from Chios to Athens and then drive south to Pounta.

Getting there by air

Elafonisos has no airport. The nearest airport is Athens. Chios has its own airport with daily connections from Athens. Flying from Chios to Athens and then driving south to Pounta gives a total journey time of around 7 to 8 hours. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Your best option

Fly from Chios to Athens and drive south to Pounta for the short ferry across to Elafonisos. Having a car is essential as the KTEL bus connection to Pounta is complicated and infrequent. If you are traveling with a car, take the overnight ferry from Chios to Piraeus and drive south through the Peloponnese to Pounta.