Getting from Chios to Ios

If you are heading to Ios from Chios you are making your way from one of the most overlooked islands in the northeastern Aegean to an island in the southern Cyclades, on the opposite side of Greece. It has some of the finest beaches in the Cyclades on its south coast and a Chora above the port that comes alive in the evening.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Chios to Ios. 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 the Piraeus to Ios ferry, which runs multiple times daily in summer and takes around 4 to 7 hours. Alternatively fly from Chios to Athens and then fly to Santorini and take the short ferry from Santorini to Ios, which takes around 35 minutes.

Getting there by air

Ios has no airport. The nearest airport is Santorini. Chios has its own airport with daily connections from Athens. Flying from Chios to Athens and then Athens to Santorini, followed by the short ferry to Ios, gives a total journey time of around 5 to 6 hours. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Your best option

Fly from Chios to Athens and then fly to Santorini and take the short ferry across to Ios. It is the most practical approach. If you are traveling with a car, take the overnight ferry from Chios to Piraeus and board the conventional Piraeus to Ios ferry, which takes your vehicle directly to the island.