Getting from Thessaloniki to Kastellorizo

If you are heading to Kastellorizo from Thessaloniki you are making your way from the second largest city in Greece to the easternmost point of Greece, a tiny island just off the Turkish coast in the Dodecanese with a harbour of neoclassical mansions, the extraordinary Blue Cave and an atmosphere of complete tranquility.

Getting there by air

Kastellorizo has its own small airport with connections from Athens via Rhodes. Thessaloniki has an international airport with connections to Athens and seasonal direct flights to Rhodes in summer. Flying from Thessaloniki to Rhodes and then connecting to Kastellorizo by air or local ferry 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 Rhodes and Rhodes to Kastellorizo.

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 Kastellorizo ferry runs 6 times a week and takes around 20 to 22 hours stopping at multiple Dodecanese islands along the way. Flying 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 Kastellorizo. Getting there by sea means traveling to Piraeus for the overnight ferry to Kastellorizo.

Your best option

Fly from Thessaloniki to Rhodes when the direct seasonal service is running, then connect to Kastellorizo by air or local ferry. When direct flights are not available, fly from Thessaloniki to Athens and then Athens to Rhodes. Give yourself at least two nights on Kastellorizo. The island is small enough to walk around in an afternoon and extraordinary enough to make you want to stay much longer. If you are traveling with a car, drive from Thessaloniki to Piraeus via the E75 motorway and take the overnight Piraeus to Kastellorizo ferry along the full Dodecanese route.