Getting from Donoussa to Halki

If you are heading to Halki from Donoussa you are making your way from one of the Small Cyclades to a car-free island just off the western coast of Rhodes in the Dodecanese group, on the opposite side of Greece. It has neoclassical sponge merchant mansions around a horseshoe harbour and a pace of life that is as slow as it gets in Greece.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Donoussa to Halki. Getting there means taking the ferry from Donoussa to Piraeus, which runs around 3 to 6 times a week and takes around 7 to 8 hours, and then flying to Rhodes, followed by the local ferry from Rhodes to Halki taking around 1.5 to 2 hours. Alternatively board the overnight Piraeus to Rhodes ferry and then cross to Halki by local ferry.

Getting there by air

Halki has no airport. The nearest airport is Rhodes. Donoussa has no airport. The nearest airport is Naxos. Taking the ferry from Donoussa to Piraeus and flying from Athens to Rhodes, followed by the local ferry from Rhodes to Halki, gives a total journey time of around 12 to 14 hours. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Your best option

Take the ferry from Donoussa to Piraeus and fly from Athens to Rhodes, then take the local ferry across to Halki. Check the Donoussa to Piraeus departure days before planning as the service runs a limited number of times per week. Give yourself at least two nights on Halki. The island is small enough to walk across in an afternoon and the pace of life rewards those who stay long enough to settle into it.