Getting from Thessaloniki to Astypalaia

If you are heading to Astypalaia from Thessaloniki you are making your way from the second largest city 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.

Getting there by air

Astypalaia has its own small airport with connections from Athens. Thessaloniki has an international airport with daily connections to Athens. Flying from Thessaloniki to Athens and then Athens to Astypalaia takes around 1 hour in the air on the second leg. Total journey time is around 4 to 5 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.

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 Astypalaia ferry runs around 5 times a week and takes around 8 to 12 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 Astypalaia. Getting there by sea means traveling to Piraeus for the ferry to Astypalaia.

Your best option

Fly from Thessaloniki to Athens and 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, drive from Thessaloniki to Piraeus via the E75 motorway and take the overnight Piraeus to Astypalaia ferry, which takes your vehicle and arrives in the morning.