How to get to Alonissos Island in Greece

The best way to get to Alonissos is to take a ferry from Volos on the mainland, or a ferry from Skiathos which also has an international airport. 

The best ways to get to Alonissos Greece

Traveling to Alonissos

It can be quite an adventure getting to Alonissos island in Greece, which probably explains why it's still a low-key tourist destination.

It's definitely worth the trip though. Those in the know return year after year to enjoy the amazing beaches and outstanding natural beauty – just some of the best things about Alonissos!

So what's so difficult about getting to Alonissos?

Well, it doesn't have an airport, so the only way to reach Alonissos is to take a ferry.

Not a problem of course, but first, you have to get to a ferry port in Greece with boats crossing to Alonissos!

Getting to Alonissos from Overseas

The best way for international travelers to get to Alonissos would be to see if they can get a flight into Skiathos island first. From there, they would then take a ferry from Skiathos to Alonissos.

I've an article her you might like to read: How to get to Skopelos island in Greece

The second-best option, would be to get a flight into Athens, and then travel to the nearest ferry port with boats going to Alonissos. Volos is probably the best port for this.

New in 2022: UK travelers might be pleased to know there are now easyJet flights from London Gatwick to Volos Airport. From Volos airport, the next steps would be a bus ride to Volos ferry port, and then a ferry over to Alonissos.

Travelers already in Greece, and especially those with their own vehicles, have these and other options when it comes to the trip to Alonissos.

In this travel guide, I'll go over the most sensible routes to get to Alonissos so you can choose what works best for you.

Bottom line: Get to Skiathos and take a ferry to Alonissos, or get to Volos and take a ferry to Alonissos. Here's how…

Flying to Skiathos Airport First (Option 1)

By far the easiest way to travel to Alonissos from overseas is if you can fly into Skiathos Airport first.

Skiathos is the island closest to Alonissos, and also has the main airport for getting to the Sporades islands.

Once you've landed in Skiathos, you'd just need to make your way to the ferry port and then get your ferry to Alonissos. More on this in a bit.

During the summer, there are direct flights to Skiathos airport from the UK and other destinations in Europe.

There are also daily direct flights from Athens Airport to Skiathos. So, if you can't get a direct flight to Skiathos you could always get a connecting flight in Athens.

Take a look at Skyscanner, and see if you can work out how to get to Alonissos via Skiathos airport in a way that is cost-effective and doesn't take much time. It's going to be easier in the long run than the other options.

My guide here has more information: How to get to Skiathos

Also: How to get cheap flights anywhere

Skiathos airport

Ferries from Skiathos to Alonissos

Once you've reached Skiathos, make your way to the port. A taxi will cost you something in the region of 15 Euro.

With 4 or 5 ferries per day sailing from Skiathos to Alonissos, there are plenty to choose from.

The ferry ride from Skiathos to Alonissos is about 1 hour and 20 minutes depending on which boat you take.

You'll arrive at Patitiri port, which is in the main town on Alonissos.

How to get from Athens to Alonissos

As mentioned, you can get regular flights from Athens to Skiathos from where you would then get a ferry to Alonissos.

If you don't want to fly on these domestic routes between Athens and Skiathos you have a choice between taking a train or a bus.

Train from Athens Airport to Volos: This is going to involve several train changes, so brace yourself!

  • Take a metro from the Airport to Syntagma Square
  • On the Red Line take a metro to Larrisa Metro Station
  • Follow the signs to Athens Larissa Main Train Station
  • Take the train to Larissa
  • Swap trains, take the train to Volos
  • Get to Volos ferry port
  • Take the ferry to Alonissos

I'd probably choose to get a taxi from the Airport to the main Athens train station as although it would be more expensive, it would be considerably less hassle.

Central train station in Athens

This is all quite a mission, and would likely take you 6 hours if everything lines up perfectly. It would take longer if it doesn't, and I'd recommend staying in one of the Volos hotels overnight to allow yourself some rest before taking the ferry from Volos to Alonissos.

Find out train times here: How to book a train ticket in Greece

Bus from Athens Airport to Volos: Slightly easier than the train. Not as comfortable.

  • Take the X93 bus from the airport to Liosion Bus Station
  • From Liosion Bus Station take a bus to Volos
  • Get to Volos ferry port
  • Take ferry to Alonissos

The X93 Airport Bus from Athens Airport

Find out about buses and schedules here: https://ktelvolou.gr/

Ferry Tickets to Alonissos

No matter which way you begin your journey to reach Alonissos, the final leg will always be the same – you'll need to take a ferry.

Booking ferry tickets has never been easier thanks to Ferryhopper, and it's a great place to look at different Greek island hopping routes.

There are several different ports on the Greek mainland where you can get ferries to Alonissos. In general, I think it is easier for most people to get themselves to Volos and take the ferry from there.

Ferry from Volos to Alonissos

There are at least three ferries per day going to Alonissos from Volos.

Taking the Alonissos ferry

It can take between 3 and 5 hours to get from Volos to Alonissos on a ferry boat, and there are afternoon and morning crossings.

More details on these services at Ferryhopper.

Ferry from Mantoudi (Evia) to Alonissos

This is the fastest way to get from Athens to Alonissos for people who have their own car, as the drive takes about 3 hours.

The ferry from Mantoudi to Alonissos takes around 2 hours, and there are one or two ferries per day according to seasonal demand.

Look at ticket options: Ferryhopper

Where to stay in Alonissos Greece

Patitiri is an obvious choice of area to stay on the island when you visit Alonissos. It has lots of hotels and accommodation to choose from, and is the main hub from where you can organize everything during your vacation.

You can also easily hike from Patitiri to Chora (45 minutes each way), or take a bus, so there's easy connections to places of interest.

Votsi gets a thumbs up from families traveling in Greece. Chora (just above Patitiri) is excellent if you are looking for quaint surroundings.

Like anywhere in Greece, you should aim to book your accommodations several months in advance, especially if traveling during the high season months of July and August,

Booking is a good platform on which to book a hotel.

FAQ About traveling to Alonissos

Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about how to get to Alonissos:

How do you get to Alonissos from UK?

You can take a plane from London or other Uk cities to Skiathos island. From Skiathos, you can then take a ferry to Alonissos. Alternatively, fly from the UK to Athens, and then use airlines such as Sky Express to fly from Athens to Skiathos where you would then take the Skiathos to Alonissos ferry.

How long is the ferry from Skiathos to Alonissos?

Depending on the type of boat, the intermediate halts, and the ferry company, the journey from Skiathos to neighboring Alonissos takes anywhere between 1.5 and 2 hours.

How do you get from Alonissos to Athens?

The easiest way to get from Alonissos to Athens is to first take a boat ride over to Skiathos, and then fly back to Athens from there. Alternatively, travel over to Volos and take a KTEL bus from Volos to Athens.

Where is Alonissos?

Alonissos is a Greek island located in the Aegean Sea, and one of the Sporades islands. It is a good vacation destination for travellers who like to explore quiet places, and who love a beach holiday without the crowds.

Easy ways to get to Alonissos in Greece

Travel Tips For Greece

Still planning your Greek holidays? Take a look at these other travel blog posts for more info and inside tips from a local!


Dave Briggs visiting an island in GreeceDave Briggs
Dave is a travel writer who has been based in Greece since 2015. In addition to writing this Alonissos travel guide, he's also written many more travel blogs about the Greek islands and destinations in Greece. Follow Dave on social media for travel inspiration from Greece and beyond:

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