Getting from Crete to Patmos

If you are heading to Patmos from Crete you are going to one of the most spiritually significant islands in the Aegean, where John the Apostle wrote the Book of Revelation in a cave on the hillside above the port and the 11th century monastery of Saint John the Theologian above Chora is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Crete to Patmos. The most practical ferry approach is to take the direct overnight ferry from Heraklion to Rhodes and then connect north through the Dodecanese, but the total journey by sea takes the better part of two days. Flying is the only realistic option for most travellers.

Getting there by air

Patmos 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 from Leros to Patmos taking around 1 hour. Total travel time is around 4 to 5 hours.

Your best option

Fly to Leros via Athens and take the ferry across to Patmos. It is the most time efficient approach. If you want to travel by sea the overnight ferry from Heraklion to Rhodes followed by the Dodecanese connection is a genuine journey but takes considerably longer. Give Patmos at least two nights. The island rewards those who stay long enough to find its quieter side.