Getting from Santorini to Kastellorizo

If you are heading to Kastellorizo from Santorini you are going to the most remote inhabited island in Greece and possibly the most beautiful small harbour in the Mediterranean. Kastellorizo sits just 2 kilometres from the Turkish coast near Kas, closer to Asia than it is to Rhodes, and it has been described so many times as a gem that the word has lost its meaning. But it is true. The harbour is ringed with neoclassical mansions painted in faded ochre and terracotta, the water in the Blue Cave on the southern coast glows an electric blue that seems physically impossible and the island has a quality of light and stillness that stops you mid-thought. Mediterraneo was filmed here in 1991 and the island has been quietly famous ever since among people who seek out places that time forgot.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Santorini to Kastellorizo. The island is connected to Rhodes by SAOS Ferries, which runs a few times per week, with the crossing taking several hours. Getting there from Santorini means reaching Rhodes first, either by flying via Athens or by indirect ferry. Once in Rhodes the ferry to Kastellorizo is the standard connection, though the schedule is limited so timing matters.

What about flying?

Kastellorizo has its own small airport served by Aegean Airlines on a tiny aircraft from Rhodes, with the flight taking around 40 minutes. The journey from Santorini goes Santorini to Athens and then Athens to Rhodes, followed by either the short flight or the ferry across to Kastellorizo. Total travel time is around 6 to 7 hours depending on connections. 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 Rhodes via Athens and take the short flight across to Kastellorizo. It is considerably faster than the ferry from Rhodes and the approach by air over the harbour is one of the more memorable arrivals in the Greek islands. Check the Aegean Airlines schedule for the Rhodes to Kastellorizo flight carefully as it runs only once a day and not on Thursdays. If the timing does not work, the SAOS ferry from Rhodes is the alternative.