Getting from Thassos to Koufonisia

If you are heading to Koufonisia from Thassos you are making your way from the northernmost island in Greece to one of the Small Cyclades, on the opposite side of the country. It has some of the finest beaches in the Cyclades and a lively summer atmosphere that punches well above its size.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Thassos to Koufonisia. 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 Naxos and taking the local Express Skopelitis ferry to Koufonisia, which takes around 45 minutes and runs almost daily in summer, or driving to Piraeus for the direct Piraeus to Koufonisia ferry, which runs daily in summer and takes around 5 to 9 hours.

Getting there by air

Koufonisia has no airport. The nearest airport is Naxos. 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 Naxos, followed by the local ferry to Koufonisia, 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 Thassos to Kavala and fly from Kavala to Athens, then fly from Athens to Naxos and take the local Express Skopelitis across to Koufonisia. It is the most practical approach. Book ahead in summer as Koufonisia has very limited accommodation and the island fills up fast. If you are traveling with a car, take the ferry from Thassos to Kavala and drive to Piraeus for the conventional Piraeus to Koufonisia ferry.