Getting from Elafonisos to Ios

If you are heading to Ios from Elafonisos you are making your way from a small island off the southern Peloponnese coast to an island in the southern Cyclades, on the opposite side of Greece. It has some of the finest beaches in the Cyclades on its south coast and a Chora above the port that comes alive in the evening.

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 Ios means taking the ferry from Elafonisos to Pounta, driving north to Piraeus for the Piraeus to Ios ferry, which runs multiple times daily in summer and takes around 4 to 7 hours. Alternatively drive to Athens and fly to Santorini and take the short ferry from Santorini to Ios, which takes around 35 minutes.

Getting there by air

Ios has no airport. The nearest airport is Santorini. 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 Santorini, followed by the short ferry to Ios, 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 Santorini, then take the short ferry across to Ios. Having a car is essential for the Pounta to Athens leg as the KTEL bus connection is slow and infrequent. If you are traveling with a car, take the ferry from Elafonisos to Pounta and drive to Piraeus for the conventional Piraeus to Ios ferry, which takes your vehicle directly to the island.