Getting from Tilos to Patmos

If you are heading to Patmos from Tilos you are making your way from a volcanic island in the southern Dodecanese to an island in the northern part of the same group. 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.

Take the ferry

There is a direct ferry connection from Tilos to Patmos via the Blue Star and Dodecanese Seaways routes running through the Dodecanese network, taking around 3 to 5 hours and running 1 to 3 days per week. It keeps the journey entirely within the Dodecanese without going through Athens or Piraeus. Getting there means taking the ferry from Tilos north through Kos, Kalymnos and Leros to Patmos. Check the schedule carefully before booking as departure days vary by season.

Getting there by air

Patmos has no airport. The nearest airports are Leros and Kos. Tilos has no airport. The nearest airport is Rhodes. Taking the ferry from Tilos to Kos and flying from Kos 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 6 to 7 hours and is considerably less practical than the direct ferry connection within the Dodecanese. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Your best option

Take the direct ferry from Tilos north through the Dodecanese network to Patmos. It is the most natural and direct connection and keeps the journey entirely within the Dodecanese. Check the schedule carefully before booking as the direct service runs only 1 to 3 days per week and departure days vary by season. Give yourself at least two nights on Patmos as the island rewards those who stay long enough to explore both the monastery and the quieter corners of the island.