Getting from Mykonos to Kos

So you're heading from Mykonos to Kos. Kos sits in the Dodecanese, the island chain that runs down the Turkish coast in the southeastern Aegean, which means this is a longer journey than the Cyclades hops you might have done before. But Kos is worth the trip. It is a big island with a lot going on, ancient ruins including the Asklepion, a lively main town, great beaches and the kind of variety that keeps people there longer than they planned.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry between Mykonos and Kos. The connection goes via Piraeus, which makes this a significant journey by sea. You are looking at around 12 to 14 hours in total depending on the service and the stops along the way. Some people do this as an overnight crossing which makes the journey time irrelevant. If you are not set on the ferry experience, flying is the more practical option on this route.

What about flying?

Both Mykonos and Kos have airports so flying is an option here. You would be routing through Athens, Mykonos to Athens and then Athens to Kos, with the whole journey taking around 3 to 4 hours door to door depending on your connection time. It is significantly quicker than the ferry on this route and for most people the more sensible choice if time is a factor.

Our honest take

If time matters, fly. The Athens connection is straightforward and Kos Airport is close to the main town. If you have the time and want the full island hopping experience, the overnight ferry is an adventure in itself. You go to sleep somewhere in the Cyclades and wake up in the Dodecanese.