Getting from Crete to Agathonisi

If you are heading to Agathonisi from Crete you are going to one of the smallest and most remote islands in the Dodecanese, a tiny island of around 100 permanent residents close to the Turkish coast between Samos and Patmos with good beaches and an atmosphere of complete calm.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Crete to Agathonisi. The island is connected to the wider network through Patmos, Samos and Leros, with local ferry connections running a few times a week in summer and once a week or less in winter. Getting to any of these connecting islands from Crete means flying via Athens first.

Getting there by air

Agathonisi has no airport. The nearest airports are Samos and Leros. Flying from Crete to Athens takes around 50 minutes and then Athens to Samos or Leros takes around 50 minutes, followed by the local ferry to Agathonisi taking around 1 to 3 hours depending on the connection. Total travel time is around 4 to 5 hours but check the ferry schedule carefully as connections to Agathonisi are infrequent.

Your best option

Fly to Samos or Leros via Athens and take the local ferry across to Agathonisi. Check the schedule before booking your flights as the connection runs only a few times a week in summer and less in winter. Come entirely self-sufficient. The island has almost no facilities and that is entirely the point of going.