Getting from Crete to Karpathos

If you are heading to Karpathos from Crete you are going to one of the most rugged and most rewarding islands in the Dodecanese, a long mountainous island of dramatic landscapes, strong winds and a tradition of local culture that has survived more intact than almost anywhere else in Greece, with the extraordinary village of Olympos in the north where centuries-old customs are still very much alive.

Take the ferry

There is a direct ferry from Crete to Karpathos departing from Sitia on the eastern coast of Crete, running a few times per week and taking around 3.5 to 4 hours. This is one of the most practical connections to Karpathos from anywhere in Greece and avoids going through Athens entirely. 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

Both Crete and Karpathos have airports. Flying from Crete to Athens takes around 50 minutes and then Athens to Karpathos takes around 1 hour, giving a total journey time of around 3 to 4 hours. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Your best option

Take the ferry from Sitia when the schedule works for your dates. At around 3.5 to 4 hours it is one of the most direct and underused connections in the southern Aegean. If the timing does not align, fly via Athens. Either way check the schedule in advance as both options have limited frequency.