Getting from Thessaloniki to Ios

If you are heading to Ios from Thessaloniki you are making your way from the second largest city in Greece to an island in the southern Cyclades, on the opposite side of the country. It has some of the finest beaches in the Cyclades on its south coast and a Chora above the port that comes alive in the evening.

Getting there by air

Ios 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 Ios, which takes around 35 minutes, 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 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 Ios ferry runs multiple times daily in summer and takes around 4 to 7 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 Ios. Getting there means traveling to Piraeus for the ferry to Ios 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 Ios. When direct flights are not available, fly from Thessaloniki to Athens and then Athens to Santorini. If you are traveling with a car, drive from Thessaloniki to Piraeus via the E75 motorway and board the conventional Piraeus to Ios ferry, which takes your vehicle directly to the island.