Getting from Thessaloniki to Leros

If you are heading to Leros from Thessaloniki you are making your way from the second largest city in Greece to one of the most atmospheric islands in the Dodecanese group, on the opposite side of the country. It has a striking Art Deco Italian colonial port at Lakki and a medieval castle above the main town of Platanos.

Getting there by air

Leros has its own small airport with daily connections from Athens. Thessaloniki has an international airport with daily connections to Athens. Flying from Thessaloniki to Athens and then Athens to Leros takes around 50 minutes on the second leg. Total journey time is around 4 to 5 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 Leros ferry runs 3 to 5 times a week and takes around 9 to 13 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 Leros. Getting there by sea means traveling to Piraeus for the overnight ferry to Leros.

Your best option

Fly from Thessaloniki to Athens and then fly from Athens to Leros. It is the fastest and most practical approach at around 4 to 5 hours total. If you are traveling with a car, drive from Thessaloniki to Piraeus via the E75 motorway and take the overnight Piraeus to Leros ferry, which takes your vehicle and arrives in the morning.