Getting from Zakynthos to Telendos

If you are heading to Telendos from Zakynthos you are making your way from one of the most beautiful of the Ionian islands to a tiny car-free island sitting just 800 metres off the western coast of Kalymnos in the Dodecanese group, on the opposite side of Greece. It has some of the finest rock climbing in the Dodecanese on the limestone cliffs above it and a waterfront of tavernas facing across the narrow channel to Kalymnos.

Getting there by air

Telendos has no airport. The nearest airports are Kalymnos and Kos. Zakynthos has an international airport with connections from Athens. Flying from Zakynthos to Athens and then Athens to Kalymnos, followed by a taxi to Myrties and the local boat to Telendos, gives a total journey time of around 5 to 6 hours. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Zakynthos to Telendos. No Ionian island is connected by sea to any Aegean island. Telendos is accessible only by local boat from Myrties on the western coast of Kalymnos, with boats running every 30 minutes throughout the day and the trip taking around 5 minutes. Getting there by road means taking the ferry from Zakynthos to Kyllini and driving to Piraeus for the overnight Piraeus to Kalymnos ferry, followed by a taxi to Myrties and the local boat across to Telendos. The total journey by sea takes the better part of two days.

Your best option

Fly from Zakynthos to Athens and then fly to Kalymnos, then make your way to Myrties for the local boat across to Telendos. It is the fastest and most practical approach. The boats run regularly throughout the day and you do not need to book in advance. Give yourself at least two nights on Telendos as the island is tranquil enough to make you want to stay considerably longer.