Getting from Elafonisos to Agios Efstratios

If you are heading to Agios Efstratios from Elafonisos you are making your way from a small island off the southern Peloponnese coast to one of the most isolated islands in Greece, sitting between Lemnos and Lesvos in the northern Aegean, on the opposite side of the country. It has a single rebuilt village and beaches that see almost no visitors outside a handful of Greeks who keep the place to themselves.

Take the ferry

Elafonisos has no ferry connection to the wider Greek ferry network. The only ferry from Elafonisos is the short 10 minute crossing to Pounta on the southern Peloponnese, which runs every 30 minutes in summer. Getting to Agios Efstratios means taking the ferry from Elafonisos to Pounta, driving north to Athens and flying to Lemnos, followed by the ferry from Lemnos to Agios Efstratios taking around 1 hour 30 minutes and running 4 times a week.

Getting there by air

Agios Efstratios has no airport. The nearest airport is Lemnos. Elafonisos has no airport. The nearest airport is Athens, around 3.5 to 4 hours by car from Pounta. Taking the ferry from Elafonisos to Pounta, driving north to Athens and flying from Athens to Lemnos, followed by the ferry to Agios Efstratios, gives a total journey time of around 8 to 9 hours. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Your best option

Take the ferry from Elafonisos to Pounta, drive north to Athens and fly from Athens to Lemnos, then take the ferry across to Agios Efstratios. Having a car is essential for the Pounta to Athens leg as the KTEL bus connection is slow and infrequent. Check the Lemnos to Agios Efstratios schedule before booking your flights as the ferry runs only 4 times a week. Bring everything you need as the island has almost no facilities and that is entirely the point.