Getting from Thessaloniki to Patmos

If you are heading to Patmos from Thessaloniki you are making your way from the second largest city in Greece to an island in the northern Dodecanese group, on the opposite side of the country. It is where John the Apostle wrote the Book of Revelation and the 11th century monastery of Saint John the Theologian above Chora is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Getting there by air

Patmos has no airport. The nearest airports are Leros and Kos. Thessaloniki has an international airport with daily connections to Athens. Flying from Thessaloniki to Athens and then Athens to Leros, followed by the short ferry from Leros to Patmos taking around 1 hour, 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 Patmos ferry runs 3 to 5 times a week and takes around 7 to 8 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 Patmos. Getting there by sea means traveling to Piraeus for the overnight ferry to Patmos.

Your best option

Fly from Thessaloniki to Athens and then fly from Athens to Leros, then take the short ferry across to Patmos. It is the most practical approach at around 5 to 6 hours total. If you are traveling with a car, drive from Thessaloniki to Piraeus via the E75 motorway and take the overnight Piraeus to Patmos ferry, which takes your vehicle and arrives in the morning.