Getting from Chios to Koufonisia

If you are heading to Koufonisia from Chios you are making your way from one of the most overlooked islands in the northeastern Aegean to one of the Small Cyclades, on the opposite side of Greece. It has some of the finest beaches in the Cyclades and a lively summer atmosphere that punches well above its size.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Chios to Koufonisia. 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 either flying to Naxos and taking the local Express Skopelitis ferry to Koufonisia, which takes around 45 minutes and runs almost daily in summer, or taking the Piraeus to Koufonisia ferry directly, which runs daily in summer and takes around 5 to 9 hours. Alternatively fly from Chios to Athens and then fly to Naxos.

Getting there by air

Koufonisia has no airport. The nearest airport is Naxos. Chios has its own airport with daily connections from Athens. Flying from Chios to Athens and then Athens to Naxos, followed by the short ferry to Koufonisia, 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 Naxos and take the short ferry across to Koufonisia. It is the most practical approach. Book ahead in summer as Koufonisia has very limited accommodation and the island fills up fast. If you are traveling with a car, take the overnight ferry from Chios to Piraeus and board the conventional Piraeus to Koufonisia ferry.