Getting from Volos to Koufonisia

If you are heading to Koufonisia from Volos you are making your way from a city on the Pagasetic Gulf at the foot of the Pelion peninsula 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 Volos to Koufonisia. Volos is the main departure point for the Sporades group and has no connection to the Cyclades ferry network. Getting there by sea means driving from Volos to Piraeus, which takes around 3 to 3.5 hours via the E75 motorway, and then boarding the Piraeus to Koufonisia ferry, which runs daily in summer and takes around 5 to 9 hours. Alternatively drive to Athens and fly 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. Volos has a small airport at Nea Anchialos with limited connections from Athens. Driving from Volos to Athens and flying from Athens to Naxos, followed by the local ferry to Koufonisia, gives a total journey time of around 5 to 6 hours. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Your best option

Drive from Volos to Athens and fly from Athens to Naxos, then take the short ferry across to Koufonisia. It is the most practical approach. Book ahead in summer as Koufonisia has very limited accommodation and the island fills up fast. If you are traveling with a car, drive to Piraeus for the conventional Piraeus to Koufonisia ferry, which takes your vehicle directly to the island.