Getting from Mykonos to Halki

If you're making your way to Halki you already know something most travellers don't. Halki is a tiny island just off the western coast of Rhodes and one of the most peaceful places in the Dodecanese. It has no cars to speak of, a single harbour village of neoclassical houses that have been carefully restored over the years, clear water and a pace of life that feels like a different era. It attracts people who have done Greece many times and are looking for somewhere that asks nothing of them except to slow down.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry between Mykonos and Halki. The connection goes via Piraeus and the total journey by sea is extremely long, upwards of 16 hours. Halki is best reached from Rhodes, which has a regular ferry connection that takes around 1.5 to 2 hours. The practical approach from Mykonos is to fly to Rhodes and take the ferry across from there.

What about flying?

Halki does not have an airport so flying directly to the island is not an option. The nearest airport is Rhodes, from where ferries run to Halki regularly through the summer season. The journey would be Mykonos to Athens, Athens to Rhodes, and then the ferry across to Halki. It is the most sensible way to do this route by some distance.

Your best option

Fly to Rhodes and take the ferry across. Once you are on Halki leave any sense of urgency behind because the island will not accommodate it anyway. Walk to the castle above the village, swim off the rocks, eat at the taverna by the water in the evening. Halki is one of those rare places that delivers exactly what it promises.