Getting from Chios to Ikaria

If you are heading to Ikaria from Chios you are making your way from one of the most overlooked islands in the northeastern Aegean to one of the world's Blue Zones, a mountainous island in the eastern Aegean relatively close in regional terms, where people live measurably longer than almost anywhere else on earth and the local explanation tends to involve sleeping late, eating well and ignoring schedules.

Take the ferry

There is a seasonal direct ferry from Chios to Ikaria running in summer via the wider Blue Star and Dodekanisos Seaways network that connects the northeastern Aegean islands. The service runs a limited number of times per week and takes several hours with stops along the way. Alternatively take the ferry from Chios to Samos and then the local ferry to Ikaria, which keeps the journey within the eastern Aegean and avoids Athens entirely. Ikaria has two ports, Agios Kirikos in the south and Evdilos in the north, so check which port your ferry arrives at before booking accommodation as the mountain road between them takes well over an hour.

Getting there by air

Ikaria has its own small airport with connections from Athens running around 3 times a week. Chios has its own airport with daily connections from Athens. Flying from Chios to Athens and then Athens to Ikaria takes around 50 minutes on the second leg. Total journey time is around 4 to 5 hours. Check the schedule carefully as flights are limited. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Your best option

Take the ferry from Chios to Samos and then the local ferry across to Ikaria. It avoids Athens entirely and is the most natural connection given the geographic proximity of the islands in the eastern Aegean. If the timing does not align, fly from Chios to Athens and then fly to Ikaria. Build flexibility into your plans once you arrive. Ikaria runs on its own schedule and that is entirely the point.