Getting from Thessaloniki to Koufonisia

If you are heading to Koufonisia from Thessaloniki you are making your way from the second largest city in Greece to one of the Small Cyclades, on the opposite side of the country. It has some of the finest beaches in the Cyclades and a lively summer atmosphere that punches well above its size.

Getting there by air

Koufonisia has no airport. The nearest airport is Naxos. Thessaloniki has an international airport with daily connections to Athens. Flying from Thessaloniki to Athens and then Athens to Naxos, followed by the local Express Skopelitis ferry to Koufonisia taking around 45 minutes and running almost 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 direct Piraeus to Koufonisia ferry runs daily in summer and takes around 5 to 9 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 Koufonisia. Getting there means traveling to Piraeus for the direct ferry to Koufonisia or flying to Naxos and taking the local ferry.

Your best option

Fly from Thessaloniki to Athens and then fly from Athens to Naxos, then take the local Express Skopelitis across to Koufonisia. It is the most practical approach. Book ahead in summer as Koufonisia has very limited accommodation and the island fills up fast. If you are traveling with a car, drive from Thessaloniki to Piraeus via the E75 motorway and take the conventional Piraeus to Koufonisia ferry.