Getting from Chios to Leros

If you are heading to Leros from Chios you are making your way from one of the most overlooked islands in the northeastern Aegean to one of the most atmospheric islands in the Dodecanese group, relatively close in regional terms. It has a striking Art Deco Italian colonial port at Lakki and a medieval castle above the main town of Platanos.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Chios to Leros. A practical sea approach is to take the ferry from Chios to Samos and then connect south through the Dodecanese network to Leros, keeping the journey within the eastern Aegean without going through Athens or Piraeus. Alternatively take the overnight Chios to Piraeus ferry and then board the overnight Piraeus to Leros ferry, which runs 3 to 5 times a week and takes around 9 to 13 hours. The total journey by sea takes the better part of two days.

Getting there by air

Leros has its own small airport with daily connections from Athens. Chios has its own airport with daily connections from Athens. Flying from Chios to Athens and then Athens to Leros takes around 50 minutes on the second leg. Total journey time is around 4 to 5 hours. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Your best option

Fly from Chios to Athens and then fly to Leros. It is the fastest and most practical approach. If you are traveling with a car, take the overnight ferry from Chios to Piraeus and board the overnight Piraeus to Leros ferry, which takes your vehicle and arrives in the morning.