Getting from Elafonisos to Katerini

If you are heading to Katerini from Elafonisos you are making your way from a small island off the southern Peloponnese coast to a city at the foot of Mount Olympus on the Pierian coast of northern Greece, with the mountain rising steeply behind it and the beaches of the Pieria coast below.

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. Katerini is a mainland city with no ferry connection. Getting there means taking the ferry from Elafonisos to Pounta and then driving north via Tripoli, Corinth and Athens to Katerini, which takes around 7 to 8 hours from Pounta via the E75 motorway. Alternatively drive to Athens and fly to Thessaloniki and take the bus or drive south to Katerini, which takes around 1 hour.

Getting there by air

Katerini has no airport. The nearest airport is Thessaloniki, around 70 kilometres to the north. 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 bus or drive to Katerini, 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 take the KTEL bus or drive south to Katerini. 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 north via the E75 motorway to Katerini, which takes around 7 to 8 hours from Pounta.