Getting from Crete to Nisyros

If you are heading to Nisyros from Crete you are going to one of the most geologically dramatic islands in Greece, an active volcano where the entire island sits inside a caldera and the crater at Stefanos is one of the most accessible volcanic landscapes in Europe.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Crete to Nisyros. The island is connected primarily to Kos and Rhodes in the Dodecanese network. The most practical ferry approach is to take the direct overnight ferry from Heraklion to Rhodes, which runs year-round and takes around 9 to 12 hours, and then connect to Nisyros by local ferry from Rhodes taking around 2 to 3 hours.

Getting there by air

Nisyros has no airport. The nearest airport is Kos. Flying from Crete to Athens takes around 50 minutes and then Athens to Kos takes around 1 hour, followed by the local ferry from Kos to Nisyros taking around 1 to 1.5 hours. Total travel time is around 4 to 5 hours.

Your best option

Fly to Kos via Athens and take the local ferry across to Nisyros. It is the fastest and most practical approach. Check the Kos to Nisyros schedule before booking your flights as the service does not run daily.