Getting from Elafonisos to Hydra

If you are heading to Hydra from Elafonisos you are making your way from a small island off the southern Peloponnese coast to one of the most immediately compelling islands in Greece, a car-free island in the Saronic Gulf with elegant stone mansions, exceptionally clear water and a quality of silence unlike anywhere else within easy reach of Athens.

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 Hydra means taking the ferry from Elafonisos to Pounta and then driving north through the Peloponnese to Piraeus, which takes around 3.5 to 4 hours via Tripoli and Corinth, and then taking the Saronic ferry from Piraeus to Hydra, which takes around 1 hour 5 minutes to 2 hours with up to 12 daily crossings year-round.

Getting there by air

Hydra has no airport. The nearest airport is Athens. Elafonisos has no airport. Taking the ferry from Elafonisos to Pounta, driving north to Piraeus and boarding the Saronic ferry to Hydra gives a total journey time of around 5 to 6 hours. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Your best option

Take the ferry from Elafonisos to Pounta, drive north to Piraeus and board the Saronic ferry to Hydra. The arrival into Hydra port, with the mansions rising above the waterfront and the donkeys waiting on the quayside, is one of the best in Greece. Having a car is helpful for the Pounta to Piraeus leg as the KTEL bus connection is slow and infrequent. Note that Hydra is car-free so no vehicles can be taken to the island.