Getting from Crete to Antikythera

If you are heading to Antikythera from Crete you are going to one of the most isolated islands in Greece, a tiny island of around 30 to 40 permanent residents sitting in the strait between Kythira and Crete, known to the world for the Antikythera Mechanism, a 2,000-year-old bronze analog computer considered the most sophisticated device to survive from antiquity.

Take the ferry

There is a direct ferry from Crete to Antikythera departing from Kissamos on the western coast of Crete, running a few times per week in summer and less frequently in winter. The trip takes around 2 to 2.5 hours. This is the most practical approach and one of the shorter connections to Antikythera from anywhere in Greece. Check the schedule before planning around it as the frequency is limited and your travel dates need to align with the departure days.

Getting there by air

Antikythera has no airport, only a helipad. The nearest airport is Athens. Flying from Crete to Athens and then taking the ferry from Kythira to Antikythera is an option but adds significant complexity compared to the direct Kissamos ferry.

Your best option

Take the ferry from Kissamos. At around 2 to 2.5 hours it is one of the more manageable connections to Antikythera from anywhere in Greece and avoids going through Athens entirely. Check the schedule carefully and build your travel dates around the available departures. Bring everything you need as the island has almost no facilities.