Getting from Elafonisos to Kastellorizo

If you are heading to Kastellorizo from Elafonisos you are making your way from a small island off the southern Peloponnese coast to the easternmost point of Greece, a tiny island just off the Turkish coast in the Dodecanese with a harbour of neoclassical mansions, the extraordinary Blue Cave and an atmosphere of complete tranquility.

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 Kastellorizo means taking the ferry from Elafonisos to Pounta, driving north to Piraeus and boarding the Piraeus to Kastellorizo ferry, which runs 6 times a week and takes around 20 to 22 hours stopping at multiple Dodecanese islands along the way. Flying is considerably more practical for most travelers.

Getting there by air

Kastellorizo has its own small airport with connections from Athens via Rhodes. 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 Rhodes and Rhodes to Kastellorizo 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 Rhodes, then connect to Kastellorizo by air or local ferry. It is the fastest and most practical approach by a significant margin. 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 Kastellorizo. The island is small enough to walk around in an afternoon and extraordinary enough to make you want to stay much longer.