Getting from Syros to Volos

If you are heading to Volos from Syros you are making your way from the capital of the Cyclades to a city on the Pagasetic Gulf at the foot of the Pelion peninsula in Thessaly, on the opposite side of Greece. It is the departure point for ferries to the Sporades and has a long waterfront lined with ouzo bars and seafood restaurants.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Syros to Volos. Getting there means taking the ferry from Syros to Rafina, which runs several times daily in summer and takes around 3 to 4 hours, and then driving or taking the KTEL bus north to Volos, which takes around 3 to 3.5 hours from Rafina via the E75 motorway. This avoids Piraeus and central Athens entirely and is the most natural approach.

Getting there by air

Volos has a small airport at Nea Anchialos, around 20 kilometres from the city, with limited connections from Athens. Syros has a small domestic airport with limited connections from Athens. Taking the ferry from Syros to Piraeus and flying from Athens to Volos or driving north to Volos 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 Rafina and drive or take the KTEL bus north to Volos. It avoids Piraeus and central Athens entirely and is the most natural approach at around 6 to 7 hours total. If you are traveling with a car the conventional ferry from Syros takes your vehicle to Rafina and the drive north to Volos takes around 3 to 3.5 hours from there.