Getting from Elafonisos to Donoussa

If you are heading to Donoussa from Elafonisos you are making your way from a small island off the southern Peloponnese coast to one of the Small Cyclades islands, northeast of Naxos. It has good beaches and a single main settlement with an atmosphere of genuine isolation.

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 Donoussa means taking the ferry from Elafonisos to Pounta and then driving north to Athens and either flying to Naxos and taking the local Express Skopelitis ferry to Donoussa, which runs 6 days a week in summer and takes around 2 to 3 hours, or driving to Piraeus for the direct Piraeus to Donoussa ferry, which runs around 3 to 6 times a week and takes around 7 to 8 hours.

Getting there by air

Donoussa has no airport. The nearest airport is Naxos. 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 Naxos, followed by the local ferry to Donoussa, 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 Naxos, then take the local Express Skopelitis across to Donoussa. It is the most practical approach. Having a car is essential for the Pounta to Athens leg as the KTEL bus connection is slow and infrequent. Give yourself at least two nights on Donoussa and come prepared as facilities on the island are limited.