Getting from Elafonisos to Thessaloniki

If you are heading to Thessaloniki from Elafonisos you are making your way from a small island off the southern Peloponnese coast to the second largest city in Greece, in the north of the country. It has a waterfront that stretches for kilometres past the White Tower, exceptional food and a history shaped by Byzantine, Ottoman and modern Greek influences.

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 Thessaloniki means taking the ferry from Elafonisos to Pounta and then driving north to Athens and flying to Thessaloniki, or continuing to drive north via the E75 motorway, which takes around 5 to 6 hours from Athens.

Getting there by air

Thessaloniki has an international airport with daily connections from Athens. 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 takes around 55 minutes on the second leg. Total journey time is 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. It is the fastest and most practical approach. 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 Thessaloniki, which takes around 8 to 9 hours from Pounta.