Getting from Chios to Kalymnos

If you are heading to Kalymnos from Chios you are making your way from one of the most overlooked islands in the northeastern Aegean to an island in the Dodecanese group, known above all for its sponge diving tradition and its status as one of the premier rock climbing destinations in Europe.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Chios to Kalymnos. 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 overnight Piraeus to Kalymnos ferry, which runs around 5 times a week and takes around 9 to 11 hours. A more practical sea approach is to take the ferry from Chios to Samos and then connect south through the Dodecanese network to Kalymnos, keeping the journey within the eastern Aegean.

Getting there by air

Kalymnos 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 Kalymnos takes around 1 hour on the second leg. Total journey time is around 4 to 5 hours. Alternatively fly to Kos and take the short ferry from Mastichari to Kalymnos, which takes around 30 to 45 minutes. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Your best option

Fly from Chios to Athens and then fly to Kalymnos or Kos. If you fly to Kos the Mastichari to Kalymnos ferry is a frequent and effortless connection. If you are traveling with a car, take the overnight ferry from Chios to Piraeus and board the overnight Piraeus to Kalymnos ferry, which takes your vehicle and arrives in the morning.