Getting from Thassos to Astypalaia

If you are heading to Astypalaia from Thassos you are making your way from the northernmost island in Greece to a butterfly-shaped island sitting between the Cyclades and the Dodecanese, on the opposite side of the country. It has a Chora topped by a Venetian castle that is one of the finest in the Aegean.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Thassos to Astypalaia. Getting there means taking the ferry from Thassos to Kavala, which runs almost hourly in summer and takes around 1 hour 30 minutes, and then either flying from Kavala to Athens and then Athens to Astypalaia, or driving to Piraeus for the Piraeus to Astypalaia ferry, which runs around 5 times a week and takes around 8 to 12 hours. Flying is considerably more practical for most travelers.

Getting there by air

Astypalaia has its own small airport with connections from Athens. Thassos has no airport. The nearest airport is Kavala. Taking the ferry from Thassos to Kavala, flying from Kavala to Athens and then Athens to Astypalaia takes around 1 hour in the air on the second leg. Total journey time is around 5 to 6 hours. Check the schedule carefully as flights run a limited number of times per week. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Your best option

Take the ferry from Thassos to Kavala and fly from Kavala to Athens, then fly from Athens to Astypalaia. Check the schedule carefully as flights run a limited number of times per week. 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. If you are traveling with a car, take the ferry from Thassos to Kavala and drive to Piraeus for the overnight Piraeus to Astypalaia ferry, which takes your vehicle and arrives in the morning.