Getting from Syros to Astakos

If you are heading to Astakos from Syros you are making your way from the capital of the Cyclades to a port town on the western coast of central Greece, on the opposite side of the country. Astakos sits on a quiet bay surrounded by hills and is the departure point for ferries to Kefalonia and Ithaca.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Syros to Astakos. Getting there means taking the ferry from Syros to Piraeus, which runs up to 6 daily crossings in summer and takes around 2 hours on the fast boat, and then driving or taking the KTEL bus northwest to Astakos, which takes around 3.5 to 4 hours from Athens via the E65 motorway and Agrinio.

Getting there by air

Astakos has no airport. The nearest airport is Athens. Syros has a small domestic airport with limited connections from Athens. Taking the ferry from Syros to Piraeus and then driving or taking the KTEL bus northwest to Astakos gives a total journey time of around 6 to 7 hours. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Your best option

Take the ferry from Syros to Piraeus and drive or take the KTEL bus northwest to Astakos via the E65 motorway and Agrinio. Having a car makes this route considerably more practical. From Astakos you have ferry connections to Kefalonia and Ithaca making it a useful hub if you are continuing your journey into the Ionian islands. If you are traveling with a car the conventional ferry from Syros takes your vehicle directly to Piraeus.