Getting from Thessaloniki to Fournoi

If you are heading to Fournoi from Thessaloniki you are making your way from the second largest city in Greece to a cluster of small fishing islands between Ikaria and Samos in the eastern Aegean, on the opposite side of the country. It has excellent seafood, quiet beaches and almost no tourist infrastructure.

Getting there by air

Fournoi has no airport. The nearest airports are Samos and Ikaria, both with connections from Athens. Thessaloniki has an international airport with connections to Athens. Flying from Thessaloniki to Athens and then Athens to Samos, followed by the local ferry to Fournoi, which takes under 1 hour and runs daily in summer, gives a total journey time of around 5 to 6 hours. 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 overnight Piraeus to Samos ferry runs up to 6 times a week and takes around 8 to 9 hours, followed by the local ferry to Fournoi. 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 Fournoi. Getting there by sea means traveling to Piraeus for the overnight ferry to Samos and then taking the local ferry to Fournoi.

Your best option

Fly from Thessaloniki to Athens and then fly from Athens to Samos, then take the local ferry across to Fournoi. It is the most practical approach. Give yourself at least two nights on Fournoi and come prepared as facilities on the island are limited. If you are traveling with a car, drive from Thessaloniki to Piraeus via the E75 motorway and take the overnight Piraeus to Samos ferry, which takes your vehicle directly to the island.