Getting from Santorini to Kos

Kos is the second most populous island in the Dodecanese and one of the most visited in Greece, which means it offers something for almost every type of traveller. The town of Kos is historically rich, with the Castle of the Knights of St John rising above the harbour, the ancient Agora at its feet and the Tree of Hippocrates, under whose shade the father of medicine is said to have taught, standing in the main square. The beaches on the south coast around Kefalos are excellent and relatively quiet by Greek standards. The island is also flat enough to explore almost entirely by bicycle, which makes it unusual in the Aegean. It is busy in summer but large enough to absorb the crowds without feeling overwhelmed.

Take the ferry

There is a ferry connection between Santorini and Kos operated by Blue Star Ferries but it is not direct. The route goes via Amorgos and takes around 9 to 10 hours depending on the sailing. This is a long journey for the distance involved and the indirect routing makes it impractical for most travellers. Flying is the more sensible option on this route.

What about flying?

Both Santorini and Kos have airports, which makes this a manageable connection by air. There are no direct flights between the two islands. The journey goes Santorini to Athens and then Athens to Kos, with total travel time around 4 to 5 hours door to door. Aegean Airlines and Sky Express both serve the Athens to Kos route regularly. 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. The indirect ferry takes twice as long as flying via Athens and involves a stop at Amorgos that adds no value unless you actually want to visit Amorgos. The connection via Athens is straightforward and Kos Airport is close to the town. Once you arrive, hire a bicycle from one of the many rental shops near the port and spend your first afternoon getting your bearings on two wheels.