Getting from Volos to Samos

If you are heading to Samos 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 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 Volos to Samos. Volos is the main departure point for the Sporades group and has no connection to the eastern Aegean 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 Samos ferry, which runs up to 6 times a week and takes around 8 to 9 hours. 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. Volos has a small airport at Nea Anchialos, around 20 kilometres from the city, with limited connections from Athens. Driving from Volos to Athens and flying from Athens to Samos takes around 1 hour on the second leg. Total journey time is around 4 to 5 hours. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Your best option

Drive from Volos to Athens and fly from Athens to Samos. It is the fastest and most practical approach. If you are traveling with a car, drive to Piraeus for the overnight Piraeus to Samos ferry, which takes your vehicle directly to the island and arrives in the morning.