Getting from Telendos to Astypalaia

If you are heading to Astypalaia from Telendos you are making your way from a tiny car-free island off the western coast of Kalymnos to a butterfly-shaped island sitting between the Cyclades and the Dodecanese, in the same broader island group. It has a Chora topped by a Venetian castle that is one of the finest in the Aegean.

Take the ferry

There is a natural ferry connection from Telendos to Astypalaia via the Dodecanese network. Getting there means taking the local boat from Telendos to Myrties on Kalymnos, which takes around 5 minutes, and then making your way to Kalymnos port at Pothia for the Blue Star ferry west to Astypalaia, which runs several times a week and takes around 2 to 3 hours. This keeps the journey entirely within the Dodecanese network and avoids Athens entirely. Check the schedule carefully before booking as departure days vary by season.

Getting there by air

Astypalaia has its own small airport with connections from Athens. Telendos has no airport. The nearest airports are Kalymnos and Kos. Taking the local boat from Telendos to Myrties, transferring to Kalymnos port and flying from Kalymnos to Athens and then Athens to Astypalaia gives a total journey time of around 5 to 6 hours. Check the schedule carefully as flights to Astypalaia run a limited number of times per week. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Your best option

Take the local boat from Telendos to Myrties and make your way to Kalymnos port at Pothia for the ferry west to Astypalaia. It keeps the journey entirely within the Dodecanese and avoids Athens entirely. Check the schedule carefully before booking as departure days vary by season. Give yourself at least three nights on Astypalaia as the island rewards those who stay long enough to explore both its Cycladic and Dodecanese sides.