Getting from Donoussa to Kalamata

If you are heading to Kalamata from Donoussa you are making your way from one of the Small Cyclades to the capital of Messenia in the southern Peloponnese, on the opposite side of Greece. It has a renovated waterfront, good food and easy access to the Mani peninsula and the Byzantine ruins of Mystras.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Donoussa to Kalamata. 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 either flying to Kalamata or driving south through the Peloponnese, which takes around 2.5 to 3 hours from Athens via Corinth and Tripoli.

Getting there by air

Kalamata has an international airport with connections from Athens. Donoussa has no airport. The nearest airport is Naxos. Taking the ferry from Donoussa to Piraeus and flying from Athens to Kalamata takes around 55 minutes on the second leg. Total journey time is 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 Kalamata. It is the fastest and most practical approach. Check the Donoussa to Piraeus departure days before planning as the service runs a limited number of times per week. The KTEL bus from Athens Kifissos terminal to Kalamata runs several times daily and takes around 3 hours, which is a good alternative if you prefer not to fly the second leg. If you are traveling with a car, take the ferry from Donoussa to Piraeus and drive south through the Peloponnese to Kalamata via Corinth and Tripoli.