Getting from Tilos to Koufonisia

If you are heading to Koufonisia from Tilos you are making your way from a volcanic island in the Dodecanese to one of the Small Cyclades, on the opposite side of the Aegean. It has some of the finest beaches in the Cyclades and a lively summer atmosphere that punches well above its size.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Tilos to Koufonisia. Getting there by sea means taking the overnight ferry from Tilos to Piraeus, which runs via Rhodes and takes around 15 to 18 hours, and then boarding the direct Piraeus to Koufonisia ferry, which runs daily in summer and takes around 5 to 9 hours. Alternatively take the ferry from Tilos to Rhodes, fly from Rhodes to Athens and then Athens to Naxos, and take the local Express Skopelitis ferry to Koufonisia, which takes around 45 minutes and runs almost daily in summer.

Getting there by air

Koufonisia has no airport. The nearest airport is Naxos. Tilos has no airport. The nearest airport is Rhodes. Taking the ferry from Tilos to Rhodes, flying from Rhodes to Athens and then Athens to Naxos, followed by the local ferry to Koufonisia, 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 fly from Athens to Naxos and take the local Express Skopelitis across to Koufonisia. It is the most practical approach. Check the Tilos to Rhodes schedule before booking as departure days and times vary by season. Book ahead in summer as Koufonisia has very limited accommodation and the island fills up fast.