How to Get to Skiathos Greece: Your 2024 Guide by a Local

Wondering how to get to Skiathos? There are numerous options available to you, depending on where you are travelling from. 

Little Skiathos is the most popular island in the Sporades archipelago in Northeastern Aegean. It is often referred to as the “boomerang island” on account of how many people visit, fall in love with the island and come back, again and again, each year. 

Fortunately, there are various ways to get to this beloved Greek island – both internationally and domestically within Greece. This guide will discuss all of the various options so that you can decide which one is the best for you.

How to Get to Skiathos from Overseas 

How to get to Skiathos: Vromolimnos beach
How to get to Skiathos: Vromolimnos beach

Skiathos is home to Alexandros Papadiamantis Airport (JSI). This is the only airport in the Sporades and it is conveniently located just a few miles out of Skiathos town

As a matter of fact, it is so close to the town that you could walk there if you didn’t have luggage! By cab, it’s just a five-minute journey from the airport to the town. 

Alexandros Papadiamantis Airport operates direct routes to a number of countries around Europe. This includes Austria, Cyprus, Denmark, Germany, Israel, Italy, the Netherlands, the UK, and various other destinations. 

You can check the full list of countries and precise routes/airports via the Skiathos airport website here. Tourism in Skiathos is very seasonal and tends to run between May and late September every year.

You will find more flights during this period. Some routes are not in operation outside of the peak season.

How to Get to Skiathos from the UK 

How to get to Skiathos

It is mostly charter flights that travel to Skiathos from the UK. Jet2 is a main operator for the UK to Skiathos routes and its flights depart from various airports across the country. 

Most British tourists visit Skiathos on package deals. However, if you want to fly independently and perhaps explore Skiathos as part of a wider Greek island-hopping adventure, there are options available to you. 

British Airways operates three direct flights per week from London City to Skiathos during the Greek summer months. Check Skyscanner to browse all direct flight routes from the UK to Skiathos.

These are subject to change year on year, with routes amended and added depending on demand. It is always a good idea to book your trip as far in advance as possible (at least several months).

Skiathos is an extremely popular travel destination and many people book their trips 6-12 months in advance. If you hope to book a last-minute flight in July or August, you may find yourself disappointed or paying a premium.

If you cannot get a direct flight, you can fly from the UK to Athens or Thessaloniki. From there, you can change to a domestic flight to Skiathos.

How to Get to Skiathos from Athens 

How to get to Skiathos

Domestic flights between Athens and Skiathos run all year round. In the winter months, they are less frequent but there are typically always several flights per day. 

Sky Express, Olympic Air, Aegean Airlines and Hahn Air all operate between Athens and Skiathos. This is the gateway to the Sporades after all.

Not all Greek islands have airports and flying into Skiathos is the most convenient way to reach not only Skiathos but also Skopelos island and Alonissos. People live on these islands all year round. 

Athens Eleftherios Venizelos is the largest international airport in Greece. If it so happens that you have to fly into the Greek capital and wait around for a connecting flight to Skiathos then rest assured, you will have plenty of stores, coffee shops and restaurants to pass the time in. 

It is easy to get from Athens airport to the city centre (and vice versa) too. So, if you have a relative amount of time to wait between flights, it’s easy to leave your luggage at the airport, hop on the metro and check out the Acropolis for a few hours.

How to Get to Skiathos Overland 

If you prefer not to take domestic flights and you are wondering how to get to Skiathos from Athens or Thessaloniki overland, you have a couple of options. First of all, you need to get to either Volos or Agios Konstantinos. 

Agios Konstantinos to Skiathos Ferry 

Arguably the most convenient way to get to Skiathos from Athens is to take the ferry from Agios Konstantinos. It is important to note that this route does not operate all year round. 

Ferries run from Agios Konstantinos to Skiathos on a limited schedule during the summer months only. Various ferry companies operate in Greece.

However, it is AMES ferries that serve this route. You need to take the bus to get to Agios Konstantinos.

KTEL Fthiotidos operate a bus service between Athens and Agios Konstantinos. KTEL is the Greek national bus network but confusingly, they do not have one centralised website (welcome to Greece!). Instead, there are multiple regional websites – one for each part of the country.

You need to take the Athens – Lamia bus from Liossion KTEL Station. This is close to Athens Attiki metro station in the northern part of town. The bus stops at Agios Konstantinos and the journey takes about 2.5 hours.

You can purchase ferry tickets and check the latest timetables using Ferryscanner. Schedules are subject to change and often vary significantly from season to season and year to year. 

You can also purchase them in person at the ticket office at the port and specific ferries sell out, even during the summer. However, for peace of mind, it is a good idea to always book in advance. You can check the latest schedules here.

Volos to Skiathos Ferry 

You can take a ferry to Skiathos from Volos. Volos in itself is a nice city that is sometimes likened to being a “little Thessaloniki”. It is worth a little exploration if your schedule permits. 

There are 41 nautical miles between Volos and Skiathos. Journey times to the island by ferry vary depending on the specific vessel that you are travelling on and the weather conditions. 

Generally speaking, the journey takes between 1.5 and 3.5 hours depending on whether you are travelling by fast boat or by car ferry. The earliest ferry departs from Volos at 7.45 am while the last leaves at 18.00 pm. 

It is important to check the specifics of your bus/train journey from Athens/Thessaloniki to Volos. Depending on when you arrive, it may warrant an overnight stay in Volos ready for an early morning departure. 

Take the train to Volos 

You can get to Volos from Athens and Thessaloniki by both buses and trains. There is no direct train link to Volos from either city. 

You need to take the train to Larissa first and then change. If you’re coming from Athens, this involves a bit of back and forth. 

Public transport in Greece is usually very reliable. The Greek rail network got a huge revamp in recent years and so most services are clean, modern, and boast complimentary wifi. 

You can check Greek train schedules and purchase tickets online in advance here. You can also buy tickets in person at the ticket office at the station. Trains seldom sell out unless you are travelling during a national holiday. 

Take the KTEL bus to Volos 

Travelling to Volos by KTEL bus is another convenient, low-cost alternative. Buses depart approximately every four hours from Athens KTEL Liosion Bus Station to Volos. 

Buses also depart several times daily from KTEL Makedonia station in Thessaloniki. Please note that when you walk or make your way to Athens and Thessaloniki bus stations it is important to double-check where you are going. Each city has several bus stations.

FAQs about How to Get to Skiathos

Do you still have some burning questions or concerns about how to get to Skiathos? Hopefully, you will find the answers you are looking for below.

Where do you fly to get to Skiathos?

Skiathos has its own international airport named Alexandros Papadiamantis Airport (JSI). You can fly here directly from many cities across Greece and wider Europe.

How long is the ferry from Athens to Skiathos?

There is no direct ferry from Athens to Skiathos. Skiathos sits in the Sporades in the northeastern part of Greece.

The easiest place to get the ferry here is from Volos.If you are in Athens, you can take a domestic flight to Skiathos or you can travel to Volos and then take a ferry.

How long is the ferry from Thessaloniki to Skiathos?

There is currently no direct ferry from Thessaloniki to Skiathos. You can choose to fly or you can travel to Volos and then take a bus.

What ferries go to Skiathos?

Numerous ferry companies operate across Greece. Hellenic Seaways, Seajets, Anes ferries and Aegean flying dolphins depart from Volos to Skiathos.

From Agios Agios Konstantinos, you need to travel with Anes Ferries. It is best to use a ferry booking site such as Ferryscanner so that you can see all the options available to and from each destination.

Parting Words 

Do you have any additional questions on how to get to Skiathos, or with regards to making a plan for your Greece trip in general? I’ve been here since 2017. 

I’m happy to assist with any questions you may have. Feel free to drop me a comment below. 

Safe travels! Melissa xo


highheelsandabackpack

Alice Cooper is a British Travel Writer and Blogger based in Athens, Greece. She writes for numerous high profile travel publications across the globe - including Forbes Travel Guide, Matador Network, The Times of Israel and The Huffington Post.

One Comment

  1. Hi Melissa, your information is fantastic regarding Skiathos and Skepolos thank-you. I do have some questions for you if you could answer for me:
    I am travelling to Skiathos on the 12th July 2022 as I have 5 days on my own until I am joined by my husband in Mykanos on the 17th July. I will be flying from Munich to Skiathos on the 12th July I can see on-line that it will take me approximately 5 hours to get there the questions I have are:
    What part of Skiathos is good to stay for 2 nights as I will be then getting the ferry to Skopolos for 3 nights and which port should I go into Glossa or Skopolos Port? My main aim is to visit the church at Agion Loannis Beach. Although with your experience should I stay on Skiathos for the 5 days and just do a day trip to Skopolos and spend more time on Skiathos as you have spent a lot of time there so you would have inside local insight.

    A recommendation for hotel accommodation would be fantastic on Skiathos and/or Skopolos I prefer a property on the beach with great restaurants. I don’t require peace and quiet so happy for some Greek night time atmosphere.

    I then have to be in Mykanos on the 17th July, getting to Mykanos should I just take a short flight from Skiathios to Mykanos if there is a direct flight or should I get the ferry back to Athens and then get another ferry to Mykanos?

    We are staying in Mykanos for two nights before getting a ferry to Naxos for 3 nights any hotels you would suggest not too far from the ferry terminal? Any hotel recommendations for Naxos would be great.

    We then are heading to the west coast to Pevezza on the 22nd July. We will take the ferry back to Mykanos from Naxos should we then get a flight to Pevezza this would be via Athens from Mykanos then onto Pevezza or should we just get the ferry back to Athens and then a flight to Pevezza? We have the time but the quickest way would be best.

    It is so hard to decide what is the best way to move around.
    Any guidance here from your experience would be greatly appreciated.
    Regards Darrianne Donnelly

Leave a Reply