Getting from Thessaloniki to Anafi

If you are heading to Anafi from Thessaloniki you are making your way from the second largest city in Greece to one of the most remote islands in the Cyclades, on the opposite side of the country. It has a monolithic rock rising 460 metres from the sea and almost no tourist infrastructure.

Getting there by air

Anafi has no airport. The nearest airport is Santorini. Thessaloniki has an international airport with connections to Athens and seasonal direct flights to Santorini. Flying from Thessaloniki to Santorini and then taking the short ferry from Santorini to Anafi, which takes around 1 hour 15 minutes and runs several times a week in summer, gives a total journey time of around 4 to 5 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 Santorini.

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 Piraeus to Anafi ferry runs around 3 times a week and takes around 8 to 11 hours. 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 Anafi. Getting there means traveling to Piraeus for the ferry to Anafi or flying to Santorini and taking the short ferry.

Your best option

Fly from Thessaloniki to Santorini when the direct seasonal service is running, then take the short ferry across to Anafi. When direct flights are not available, fly from Thessaloniki to Athens and then Athens to Santorini. Come with everything you need as Anafi has almost no facilities and that is entirely the point of going. If you are traveling with a car, drive from Thessaloniki to Piraeus via the E75 motorway and board the conventional Piraeus to Anafi ferry, which takes your vehicle directly to the island.