Getting from Tilos to Samos

If you are heading to Samos from Tilos you are making your way from a volcanic island in the southern Dodecanese to an island in the eastern Aegean, close to the Turkish coast. It is green and mountainous with wine production dating back to antiquity and the UNESCO-listed Heraion sanctuary.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Tilos to Samos. Getting there by sea means taking the ferry from Tilos north through the Dodecanese network to Kos or Leros, and then connecting to Samos by local ferry. Alternatively take the overnight ferry from Tilos to Piraeus and then board the Piraeus to Samos ferry, which runs up to 6 times a week and takes around 8 to 9 hours. Flying is considerably more practical for most travelers. Samos has two main ports, Vathy and Karlovassi, so check which port your ferry arrives at before booking accommodation.

Getting there by air

Samos has an international airport with connections from Athens. 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 Samos takes around 1 hour on the second leg. Total journey time is around 5 to 6 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 Samos. It is the fastest and most practical approach. Check the Tilos to Rhodes schedule before booking as departure days and times vary by season. If you are traveling with a car, take the overnight ferry from Tilos to Piraeus and board the Piraeus to Samos ferry, which takes your vehicle directly to the island and arrives in the morning.