Getting from Elafonisos to Halkidiki

If you are heading to Halkidiki from Elafonisos you are making your way from a small island off the southern Peloponnese coast to a three-pronged peninsula southeast of Thessaloniki in northern Greece, with Kassandra in the west for long sandy beaches, Sithonia in the middle for quieter waters and the monastic peninsula of Athos in the east.

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. Halkidiki has no ferry connections as it is a mainland peninsula. Getting there means taking the ferry from Elafonisos to Pounta and then driving north via Tripoli, Corinth, Athens and the E75 motorway to Thessaloniki, which takes around 8 to 9 hours from Pounta, and then continuing to Halkidiki from there.

Getting there by air

Halkidiki has no airport. The nearest airport is Thessaloniki, around 60 to 90 kilometres from the various parts of the peninsula. 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 Thessaloniki, followed by a rental car or KTEL bus to Halkidiki, gives a total journey time of around 7 to 8 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 Thessaloniki, then rent a car at the airport. Having a car is essential for the Pounta to Athens leg as the KTEL bus connection is slow and infrequent. Halkidiki is large and spread out enough that a car is essential for getting between beaches, villages and the different peninsulas. If you are traveling with a car, take the ferry from Elafonisos to Pounta and drive north via Athens and the E75 motorway to Thessaloniki and continue to Halkidiki from there.