Getting from Thessaloniki to Folegandros

If you are heading to Folegandros from Thessaloniki you are making your way from the second largest city in Greece to a small clifftop island in the southern Cyclades. It has a Chora perched on the edge of a sheer drop above the sea and an atmosphere of genuine calm that makes it one of the most rewarding islands in the Cyclades.

Getting there by air

Folegandros has no airport. The nearest airport is Santorini. Thessaloniki has an international airport with direct flights to Santorini on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays in summer, taking around 1 hour. From Santorini the ferry to Folegandros takes around 45 to 50 minutes and runs several times daily in summer. This is the fastest approach at around 3 to 4 hours total. Alternatively fly from Thessaloniki to Athens and take the Piraeus to Folegandros ferry, which runs several times daily in summer.

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 Folegandros ferry runs several times daily in summer and takes around 4 to 8 hours. The drive from Thessaloniki to Piraeus takes around 5 to 6 hours via the E75 motorway. All three options suit travelers with a car particularly well as the conventional Piraeus to Folegandros ferry takes vehicles directly to the island.

Take the ferry

There is a direct overnight ferry from Thessaloniki to Piraeus, from where the Folegandros ferry departs, though this route adds considerable time to the overall journey. A seasonal direct connection from Thessaloniki to Syros exists, from where you can connect onward to Folegandros, but the total journey time of around 30 hours makes flying considerably more practical for most travelers.

Your best option

Fly from Thessaloniki to Santorini and take the short ferry across to Folegandros. It is the fastest and most enjoyable approach at around 3 to 4 hours total and the direct Thessaloniki to Santorini route runs three times a week in summer. If you are traveling with a car, drive from Thessaloniki to Piraeus via the E75 motorway and take the conventional Piraeus to Folegandros ferry, which takes your vehicle directly to the island.