Getting from Syros to Telendos

If you are heading to Telendos from Syros you are making your way from the capital of the Cyclades to a tiny car-free island sitting just 800 metres off the western coast of Kalymnos in the Dodecanese group, on the opposite side of the Aegean. It has some of the finest rock climbing in the Dodecanese on the limestone cliffs above it and a waterfront of tavernas facing across the narrow channel to Kalymnos.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Syros to Telendos. Telendos is accessible only by local boat from Myrties on the western coast of Kalymnos, with boats running every 30 minutes throughout the day and the trip taking around 5 minutes. 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 flying from Athens to Kalymnos and making your way to Myrties for the local boat across to Telendos. Alternatively the weekly direct Blue Star ferry from Syros to Kalymnos takes around 8 to 10 hours and then the local boat to Telendos takes 5 minutes.

Getting there by air

Telendos has no airport. The nearest airports are Kalymnos and Kos. Syros has a small domestic airport with limited connections from Athens. Taking the ferry from Syros to Piraeus, flying from Athens to Kalymnos and then making your way to Myrties for the local boat to Telendos 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 Kalymnos, then make your way to Myrties for the local boat across to Telendos. The boats run every 30 minutes throughout the day and you do not need to book in advance. Give yourself at least two nights on Telendos as the island is tranquil enough to make you want to stay considerably longer. If the weekly direct Blue Star ferry fits your schedule it is a rewarding crossing that delivers you to Kalymnos directly.