Getting from Thessaloniki to Agios Efstratios

If you are heading to Agios Efstratios from Thessaloniki you are making your way from the second largest city in Greece to one of the most isolated islands in Greece, sitting between Lemnos and Lesvos in the northern Aegean, relatively close in geographic terms given both sit in the northern part of the country. It has a single rebuilt village and beaches that see almost no visitors outside a handful of Greeks who keep the place to themselves.

Getting there by air

Agios Efstratios has no airport. The nearest airport is Lemnos. Thessaloniki has an international airport with connections to Athens and seasonal direct flights to Lemnos in summer. Flying from Thessaloniki to Lemnos and then taking the ferry from Lemnos to Agios Efstratios, which takes around 1 hour 30 minutes and runs 4 times a week, gives a total journey time of around 3 to 4 hours when the direct service is running. Check the schedule as direct flights are seasonal. Alternatively fly from Thessaloniki to Athens and then Athens to Lemnos.

Take the train, bus or drive

Thessaloniki is connected to Athens by train, taking around 4 to 5 hours, and by KTEL bus, taking around 5 to 6 hours. From Athens the long Piraeus to Lemnos ferry runs around 3 times a week and takes around 12 to 15 hours, followed by the ferry to Agios Efstratios. Flying from Thessaloniki is considerably more practical than the combined train and ferry journey for most travelers.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Thessaloniki to Agios Efstratios. Getting there by sea means traveling to Piraeus for the long ferry to Lemnos and then the ferry to Agios Efstratios.

Your best option

Fly directly from Thessaloniki to Lemnos when the seasonal service is running, then take the ferry across to Agios Efstratios. When direct flights are not available, fly from Thessaloniki to Athens and then Athens to Lemnos. Check the Lemnos to Agios Efstratios schedule before booking your flights as the ferry runs only 4 times a week. Bring everything you need as the island has almost no facilities and that is entirely the point.