Getting from Elafonisos to Telendos

If you are heading to Telendos from Elafonisos you are making your way from a small island off the southern Peloponnese coast to a tiny car-free island sitting just 800 metres off the western coast of Kalymnos in the Dodecanese group, on the opposite side of Greece. It has some of the finest rock climbing in the Dodecanese on the limestone cliffs above it and a waterfront of tavernas facing across the narrow channel to Kalymnos.

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. Telendos is accessible only by local boat from Myrties on the western coast of Kalymnos, with boats running every 30 minutes throughout the day and the trip taking around 5 minutes. Getting there means taking the ferry from Elafonisos to Pounta, driving north to Athens and flying to Kalymnos, followed by a taxi to Myrties and the short local boat across to Telendos.

Getting there by air

Telendos has no airport. The nearest airports are Kalymnos and Kos. 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 Kalymnos, followed by a taxi to Myrties and the local boat to Telendos, 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 Kalymnos, then make your way to Myrties for the local boat across to Telendos. 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 Telendos as the island is tranquil enough to make you want to stay considerably longer.