Getting from Crete to Alonissos

If you are heading to Alonissos from Crete you are going to the most remote of the Sporades and the one that rewards the extra effort most generously, a green and mountainous island at the heart of the largest protected marine area in Europe with extraordinarily clear water and an atmosphere of genuine calm.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Crete to Alonissos. Getting there by sea means taking the overnight ferry from Crete to Piraeus and then travelling by road to Agios Konstantinos for the ferry to Alonissos, which takes around 4 to 5 hours via Skiathos and Skopelos. The total journey by this route takes the better part of two days.

Getting there by air

Alonissos has no commercial airport. The nearest airport is Skiathos, which has connections from Athens. Flying from Crete to Athens takes around 50 minutes and then Athens to Skiathos takes around 45 minutes, followed by the ferry to Alonissos taking around 1 hour. Total travel time is around 4 to 5 hours.

Your best option

Fly to Skiathos via Athens and take the ferry across to Alonissos. It is the most time efficient approach by a significant margin. Give yourself at least three nights on Alonissos. The island opens up slowly and rewards those who stay long enough to get beyond the port.