Getting from Thessaloniki to Tilos

If you are heading to Tilos from Thessaloniki you are making your way from the second largest city in Greece to an island in the Dodecanese group, on the opposite side of the country. It is the first island in the Mediterranean to run entirely on renewable energy with good walking trails and a wild coastline.

Getting there by air

Tilos has no airport. The nearest airports are Rhodes and Kos. Thessaloniki has an international airport with connections to Athens and seasonal direct flights to Rhodes in summer. Flying from Thessaloniki to Rhodes and then taking the local ferry from Rhodes to Tilos, which takes around 1 hour 10 minutes to 2 hours 45 minutes and runs 4 to 7 days per week, 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 or Kos.

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 Tilos ferry takes your vehicle directly to the island. 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 Tilos. Getting there by sea means traveling to Piraeus for the overnight ferry to Tilos.

Your best option

Fly from Thessaloniki to Rhodes when the direct seasonal service is running, then take the local ferry across to Tilos. When direct flights are not available, fly from Thessaloniki to Athens and then Athens to Rhodes. Check the Rhodes to Tilos schedule before booking your flights as the service does not run daily. If you are traveling with a car, drive from Thessaloniki to Piraeus via the E75 motorway and take the overnight Piraeus to Tilos ferry, which takes your vehicle.