Getting from Santorini to Agathonisi

If you are heading to Agathonisi from Santorini you are committing to one of the more determined journeys in the Greek islands, and that is exactly the point. Agathonisi is the northernmost island in the Dodecanese, a tiny place of around 200 permanent residents sitting between Samos and Patmos close to the Turkish coast. There are three small settlements, a handful of tavernas, beaches that see almost no visitors and an ecosystem protected under Natura 2000 that makes it a refuge for rare birds. The island has no commercial footprint to speak of. People who make it here tend to stay longer than planned and leave reluctantly.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Santorini to Agathonisi. The connection requires going through Athens and then the Dodecanese ferry network. The most practical ferry approach is to take the ferry from Santorini to Piraeus and then board a Blue Star Ferries service from Piraeus to Agathonisi, which stops there as part of the Dodecanese route via Patmos and Leros. The total journey by this route takes the better part of a day. Alternatively, local Dodecanese ferries run to Agathonisi from Patmos in around 2 hours, from Leros in around 1 hour and from Lipsi in around 30 minutes.

What about flying?

Agathonisi has no airport. The nearest airports are Samos and Kos. The fastest overall approach from Santorini is to fly to Samos via Athens and then take the short ferry to Agathonisi, which takes around 1 hour 20 minutes. Alternatively fly to Kos via Athens and take the ferry from there, around 2 hours 30 minutes. 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

Fly to Samos via Athens and take the ferry across to Agathonisi. It is the most time efficient approach. Check the ferry schedule carefully before you book your flights as connections from Samos to Agathonisi do not run daily and your timing needs to work around the timetable. Build flexibility into your plans and stay at least two or three nights.