Getting from Spetses to Patmos

If you are heading to Patmos from Spetses you are making your way from a car-free island in the Saronic Gulf to an island in the northern Dodecanese group, on the opposite side of the Aegean. It is where John the Apostle wrote the Book of Revelation and the 11th century monastery of Saint John the Theologian above Chora is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Spetses to Patmos. Getting there by sea means taking the Saronic ferry from Spetses to Piraeus, which runs up to 10 times daily and takes around 2 to 3.5 hours, and then boarding the overnight Piraeus to Patmos ferry, which runs 3 to 5 times a week and takes around 7 to 8 hours. Alternatively fly from Athens to Leros and take the short ferry from Leros to Patmos, which takes around 1 hour.

Getting there by air

Patmos has no airport. The nearest airports are Leros and Kos. Spetses has no airport. The nearest airport is Athens. Taking the Saronic ferry from Spetses to Piraeus, flying from Athens to Leros and then taking the short ferry from Leros to Patmos gives a total journey time of around 5 to 6 hours. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Your best option

Take the Saronic ferry from Spetses to Piraeus and fly from Athens to Leros, then take the short ferry across to Patmos. It is the most practical approach. Give yourself at least two nights on Patmos as the island rewards those who stay long enough to explore both the monastery and the quieter corners of the island. Note that Spetses is car-free so if you are traveling with a car it would be at the mainland port of Kosta, from where you can drive to Piraeus and board the overnight Piraeus to Patmos ferry, which takes your vehicle and arrives in the morning.