Getting from Dokos to Kalymnos

If you are heading to Kalymnos from Dokos you are making your way from an uninhabited rocky island in the Saronic Gulf to an island in the Dodecanese group, known above all for its sponge diving tradition and its status as one of the premier rock climbing destinations in Europe, on the opposite side of Greece.

Take the ferry

There are no scheduled ferries from Dokos. Dokos has no ferry service and is accessible only by water taxi from Hydra, Spetses or Ermioni, with the crossing from Hydra taking around 30 minutes. Getting to Kalymnos means arranging a water taxi from Dokos to Hydra, taking the Saronic ferry from Hydra to Piraeus, which takes around 1 hour 5 minutes to 2 hours, and then boarding the overnight Piraeus to Kalymnos ferry, which runs around 5 times a week and takes around 9 to 11 hours. Flying is considerably more practical for most travelers.

Getting there by air

Kalymnos has its own small airport with connections from Athens. Dokos has no airport. Taking the water taxi from Dokos to Hydra, the Saronic ferry to Piraeus and flying from Athens to Kalymnos takes around 1 hour on the second leg. Total journey time is around 5 to 6 hours. Alternatively fly to Kos and take the short ferry from Mastichari to Kalymnos, which takes around 30 to 45 minutes. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Your best option

Arrange a water taxi from Dokos to Hydra before leaving the island, take the Saronic ferry to Piraeus and fly from Athens to Kalymnos or Kos. Pre-arrange your water taxi departure as you cannot hail a boat once you are on Dokos. If you fly to Kos the Mastichari to Kalymnos ferry is a frequent and effortless connection.