Getting from Chios to Syros

If you are heading to Syros from Chios you are making your way from one of the most overlooked islands in the northeastern Aegean to the capital of the Cyclades, on the opposite side of Greece. It has a neoclassical port city of grand mansions and an opera house modelled on La Scala that is one of the most distinctive urban environments in the Greek islands.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Chios to Syros. 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 Syros ferry, which runs up to 6 daily crossings in summer and takes around 2 hours on the fast boat. Alternatively take the ferry from Chios to Mykonos and then the short Mykonos to Syros ferry, keeping the journey within the Aegean island network.

Getting there by air

Syros has a small domestic airport with limited connections from Athens. Chios has its own airport with daily connections from Athens. Flying from Chios to Athens and then Athens to Syros gives a total journey time of around 4 to 5 hours. However flights to Syros are limited so the ferry from Piraeus is often more practical after flying to Athens. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Your best option

Fly from Chios to Athens and take the Piraeus to Syros ferry. At around 2 hours on the fast boat it is one of the quickest Cyclades connections from Athens. If you are traveling with a car, take the overnight ferry from Chios to Piraeus and board the conventional Piraeus to Syros ferry, which takes your vehicle directly to Ermoupolis port.