Getting from Elafonisos to Koufonisia

If you are heading to Koufonisia from Elafonisos you are making your way from a small island off the southern Peloponnese coast to one of the Small Cyclades, on the opposite side of Greece. It has some of the finest beaches in the Cyclades and a lively summer atmosphere that punches well above its size.

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 Koufonisia means taking the ferry from Elafonisos to Pounta, driving north to Athens and either flying to Naxos and taking the local Express Skopelitis ferry to Koufonisia, which takes around 45 minutes and runs almost daily in summer, or driving to Piraeus for the direct Piraeus to Koufonisia ferry, which runs daily in summer and takes around 5 to 9 hours.

Getting there by air

Koufonisia has no airport. The nearest airport is Naxos. 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 Naxos, followed by the short ferry to Koufonisia, 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 Naxos, then take the short ferry across to Koufonisia. Having a car is essential for the Pounta to Athens leg as the KTEL bus connection is slow and infrequent. Book ahead in summer as Koufonisia has very limited accommodation and the island fills up fast.