Getting from Syros to Ithaca

If you are heading to Ithaca from Syros you are making your way from the capital of the Cyclades to an island in the Ionian Sea, on the opposite side of Greece. It is the legendary home of Odysseus with a deep central bay at Vathy that is one of the most beautiful natural harbours in the Ionian.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Syros to Ithaca. No Cycladic island is connected by sea to any Ionian island. 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 either flying from Athens to Kefalonia and taking the short ferry from Sami to Ithaca, which takes around 20 to 30 minutes, or driving to Astakos for the direct ferry to Ithaca, which takes around 2 to 2.5 hours and runs daily. The drive from Athens to Astakos takes around 3.5 to 4 hours via the E65 motorway and Agrinio.

Getting there by air

Ithaca has no airport. The nearest airport is Kefalonia. Syros has a small domestic airport with limited connections from Athens. Taking the ferry from Syros to Piraeus, flying from Athens to Kefalonia and then taking the short ferry from Sami to Ithaca 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 ferry from Syros to Piraeus and fly from Athens to Kefalonia, then take the short ferry across to Ithaca from Sami. It is the most practical approach. If you are traveling with a car, take the ferry from Syros to Piraeus and drive to Astakos for the direct ferry to Ithaca, or continue to Kyllini for the ferry via Kefalonia.