Getting from Zakynthos to Patmos

If you are heading to Patmos from Zakynthos you are making your way to an island in the northern Dodecanese group, 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 Zakynthos to Patmos. No Ionian island is connected by sea to any Aegean island. Getting there by sea means taking the ferry from Zakynthos to Kyllini and then travelling by road to Piraeus for the Piraeus to Patmos ferry, which runs around 6 times a week and takes around 7 to 8 hours. The total journey takes the better part of two days.

Getting there by air

Patmos has no airport. The nearest airports are Leros and Kos. Flying from Zakynthos 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 4 to 5 hours. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Your best option

Fly to Leros via Athens and take the short ferry across to Patmos. It is the most practical approach. If you are travelling with a car, take the ferry from Zakynthos to Kyllini and drive to Piraeus for the overnight ferry to Patmos.