Getting from Volos to Patmos

If you are heading to Patmos from Volos you are making your way from a city on the Pagasetic Gulf at the foot of the Pelion peninsula to an island in the northern Dodecanese group, on the opposite side of Greece. 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 no direct ferry from Volos to Patmos. Volos is the main departure point for the Sporades group and has no connection to the Dodecanese 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 overnight Piraeus to Patmos ferry, which runs 3 to 5 times a week and takes around 7 to 8 hours. Alternatively drive to Athens and fly to Leros and take the short ferry from Leros to Patmos, which takes around 1 hour.

Getting there by air

Patmos has no airport. The nearest airports are Leros and Kos. Volos has a small airport at Nea Anchialos with limited connections from Athens. Driving from Volos to Athens and flying from Athens to Leros, followed by the short ferry from Leros to Patmos, 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 Leros, then take the short ferry across to Patmos. It is the most practical approach. If you are traveling with a car, drive to Piraeus for the overnight Piraeus to Patmos ferry, which takes your vehicle and arrives in the morning.