JTR
Santorini (Thira)
Santorini, to the south
Flights from Athens all year and direct charter and seasonal flights from much of Europe in summer.
Into town: Taxi or bus to the port of Athinios, then a fast boat or ferry to Ios.
Ios · Getting there
How to get to Ios
Ios has no airport, so everyone arrives by sea, at the port of Ormos, also called Gialos, in a deep bay on the west coast. It lies in the middle of the southern Cyclades, between Naxos and Santorini, and sits on the main ferry line from Piraeus to Santorini, so in summer boats call several times a day. From the quay a bus climbs to Chora and goes on to Mylopotas; on foot, an old stepped path, the kalderimi, leads up to Chora in about 20 minutes. Outside the season the connections thin out, and in winter a strong north wind can stop the fast boats.
By plane
No airport, so the last leg is by boat
The nearest airport is on Santorini, a short hop away by fast boat in summer, and there is a heliport on Ios for those who want the island in about 40 minutes from Santorini by helicopter. Check the boat times against your flight before you book, and leave a spare day before a flight home.
JNX
Naxos
Naxos, to the north
Short domestic flights from Athens.
Into town: Taxi to the port of Naxos town, then a boat south to Ios.
ATH
Athens “Eleftherios Venizelos”
Spata, east of Athens
Flights from all over Europe and beyond, all year.
Into town: Bus, metro or taxi to Piraeus, about an hour, then the boat to Ios.
By ferry
From Athens by sea
Fast boats and conventional ferries run from Piraeus. Fast boats are cancelled in strong winds, so leave room in your plans, and book ahead for July and August.
Piraeus Ios (Ormos)
Fast boats, usually calling at Paros or Naxos on the way.
- Duration
- ≈ 3.5 h
- How often
- Daily in summer
Piraeus Ios (Ormos)
Conventional ferries with cars, calling at Paros and Naxos.
- Duration
- ≈ 7 h
- How often
- Through the year, less often in winter
Island hopping
Onward from Ios
Ios Santorini
The caldera, Oia and Fira: the most common next stop.
- Duration
- ≈ 40 min to 1.5 h
- How often
- Several a day in summer
Ios Naxos
The biggest of the Cyclades, with mountain villages and long beaches.
- Duration
- ≈ 1 to 2 h
- How often
- Daily in summer
Ios Paros
For Naoussa, Parikia and the boats to Antiparos.
- Duration
- ≈ 1.5 to 2.5 h
- How often
- Daily in summer
Ios Sikinos & Folegandros
The quiet neighbours to the west, a world away from Mylopotas.
- Duration
- ≈ 30 min to 1.5 h
- How often
- Several a week in summer
Ios Heraklion, Crete
Fast boats via Santorini.
- Duration
- ≈ 3 to 4 h
- How often
- Some days in summer
When you land
Good to know on arrival
From the port
The bus waits by the quay and runs up to Chora and on to Mylopotas; taxis are few, so join the queue quickly or book a transfer with your hotel. Many hotels meet the boats with their own minibus.
Walking up
With light luggage, the old stepped path from the port climbs to Chora in about 20 minutes, past the church of Agia Irini. Do it in the cool of the evening, not at midday.
Getting around
The bus links the port, Chora and Mylopotas all day and late into the night in summer, and runs to Manganari and Agia Theodoti in season. For Kalamos, Psathi, Paleokastro and Homer's tomb you need a car, a quad or a scooter.
Safe nights
Chora's lanes are steep and slippery marble. If you have been drinking, take the bus or walk down to Mylopotas; do not ride a scooter or quad home.
Times and frequencies are typical for the summer season and change every year. Check the current timetable before you book.
Now find your bed on Ios
Rooms with a view, picked for how they feel, not for star ratings.
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