Getting from Mykonos to Karpathos

Karpathos sits in the southern Dodecanese, halfway between Rhodes and Crete, and it is one of the most underrated islands in Greece. It is large enough to have real variety, with a dramatic mountain spine running down the centre, a northern village called Olympos that has preserved traditions and a dialect that go back centuries, and beaches on the eastern coast that rank among the best in the Aegean. It has avoided the overdevelopment that has changed some of its neighbours and the people who go there tend to leave wondering why it took them so long.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry between Mykonos and Karpathos. The connection goes via Piraeus and given the distance this is a very long journey by sea, somewhere in the region of 16 to 20 hours in total. Unless you are island hopping through the southern Dodecanese and have the time to do it properly, the ferry is not the practical choice on this route. Flying makes considerably more sense.

What about flying?

Both Mykonos and Karpathos have airports so flying is the way most people do this route. You would be going Mykonos to Athens and then Athens to Karpathos, with the total journey taking around 3 to 4 hours door to door. Karpathos Airport is on the southern tip of the island close to the main town of Pigadia. Check schedules early as flights to Karpathos can be limited outside of peak season.

Your best option

Fly without hesitation on this route. The distance makes the ferry impractical for most travellers and the flight gets you there in a fraction of the time. Save your energy for Olympos in the north, the drive up through the mountains and the beaches at Apella and Achata. Karpathos is an island that deserves your full attention when you arrive.