Getting from Elafonisos to Astypalaia

If you are heading to Astypalaia from Elafonisos you are making your way from a small island off the southern Peloponnese coast to a butterfly-shaped island sitting between the Cyclades and the Dodecanese, on the opposite side of Greece. It has a Chora topped by a Venetian castle that is one of the finest in the Aegean.

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 Astypalaia means taking the ferry from Elafonisos to Pounta and then driving north to Athens and either flying to Astypalaia or continuing to Piraeus for the Piraeus to Astypalaia ferry, which runs around 5 times a week and takes around 8 to 12 hours.

Getting there by air

Astypalaia has its own small airport with connections from Athens. 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 Astypalaia takes around 1 hour in the air. Total journey time is around 7 to 8 hours. Check the schedule carefully as flights run a limited number of times per week. 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 Astypalaia. It is the fastest and most practical approach. Having a car is essential for the Pounta to Athens leg as the KTEL bus connection is slow and infrequent. Check the schedule carefully as flights run a limited number of times per week. Give yourself at least three nights on Astypalaia as the island rewards those who stay long enough to explore both its Cycladic and Dodecanese sides.