Getting from Tilos to Astakos

If you are heading to Astakos from Tilos you are making your way from a volcanic island in the Dodecanese to a port town on the western coast of central Greece, on the opposite side of the country. Astakos sits on a quiet bay surrounded by hills and is the departure point for ferries to Kefalonia and Ithaca.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Tilos to Astakos. Getting there by sea means taking the ferry from Tilos to Piraeus, which runs via Rhodes and takes around 15 to 18 hours, and then driving or taking the KTEL bus northwest to Astakos, which takes around 3.5 to 4 hours from Athens via the E65 motorway and Agrinio. Flying is considerably more practical for most travelers.

Getting there by air

Astakos has no airport. The nearest airport is Athens. Tilos has no airport. The nearest airport is Rhodes. Taking the ferry from Tilos to Rhodes, flying from Rhodes to Athens and then driving or taking the KTEL bus northwest to Astakos gives a total journey time of around 6 to 7 hours. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Your best option

Take the ferry from Tilos to Rhodes and fly from Rhodes to Athens, then drive or take the KTEL bus northwest to Astakos via the E65 motorway and Agrinio. Check the Tilos to Rhodes schedule before booking as departure days and times vary by season. Having a car makes this route considerably more practical. From Astakos you have ferry connections to Kefalonia and Ithaca making it a useful hub if you are continuing your journey into the Ionian islands.