Getting from Mykonos to Kea

So you're heading from Mykonos to Kea. Kea is one of the closest islands to Athens and because of that it has always been something of a well kept secret among Athenians who treat it as their weekend escape. It sits just off the tip of the Attica peninsula and has a quietness to it that feels deliberate. No big party scene, no cruise ship crowds, just good beaches, walking trails through terraced hillsides and a main village that has barely changed in decades. It is not on the usual tourist circuit and that is precisely the point.

Take the ferry

Getting from Mykonos to Kea is not a direct route. Kea is served by ferries from Lavrio on the Attica coast rather than from Piraeus or the main Cyclades network, which means you will need to connect via the mainland. The most practical way is to take a ferry from Mykonos to Piraeus and then make your way to Lavrio by bus or taxi, which takes around an hour, before catching the ferry across to Kea. The Lavrio to Kea crossing itself takes around 1 hour. It is a bit of a journey but manageable if you plan it right.

What about flying?

Kea does not have an airport so flying is not an option on this route. The ferry via Lavrio is your only way in. It is worth knowing that in Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights. Almost all island to island travel goes through Athens.

Your best option

Factor in a full travel day and you will be fine. Kea is one of those islands where the effort of getting there is part of what keeps it the way it is. Once you arrive and see what the island is like you will understand immediately why the Athenians have been keeping it to themselves.