Getting from Crete to Arki

If you are heading to Arki from Crete you are going to one of the smallest and most isolated inhabited islands in the Aegean, a tiny island of around 50 permanent residents between Patmos and Lipsi with no cars, no proper roads and an atmosphere of complete calm that is almost impossible to find anywhere more accessible.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Crete to Arki. The island is connected to the wider network through Patmos and Lipsi, with the local ferry calling at Arki a few times a week in summer. Getting to Patmos or Leros from Crete means flying via Athens first.

Getting there by air

Arki has no airport. The nearest airports are Leros and Kos. Flying from Crete to Athens takes around 50 minutes and then Athens to Leros takes around 50 minutes, followed by the ferry connection to Arki via Lipsi taking around 1 to 2 hours. Total travel time is around 4 to 5 hours but the ferry frequency to Arki is very limited so planning carefully around departure days is essential.

Your best option

Fly to Leros via Athens and take the local ferry across to Arki. Check the schedule before booking your flights as connections to Arki run only a few times a week in summer and are almost nonexistent in winter. Come entirely self-sufficient. The isolation is the whole point of being there.