Getting here
DIRECTIONS TO HERE:
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Patmos is so small it’s a good thing that there is no airport for it would be over crowded with people and the noise pollution would be annoying.
As author of the #1 New York Times bestseller «1,000 Places To See Before You Die» Patricia Schultz expertly put it: “Patmos’ saving grace is that it has no airport. It is quiet, traditional and removed but not primitive. That and a beautiful interior and great beaches draws a very sophisticated crowd. It’s blissfully cut off by its perfectly preserved Renaissance walls.”
Next year there are plans to schedule hydroplanes that fly directly to Athens in less than an hour and at a very reasonable cost but until then the only way to get to Patmos is by sea (although there is an operational helicopter pad, but this is not an option for most).
will help you find the route more convenient for you. Please note that these times sometimes do change so contact the Ferry office, travel agencies or port authorities for confirmation. You can also call (+30) 1440 for a recorded message in Greek, for the boat schedules of today and tomorrow to all islands in Greece.
1. Getting to Patmos by flying to a nearby island and catching a boat connection:
Catching a flight to the neighbouring islands of Kos, Leros, Kalymnos, or Samos and connecting to Patmos by boat is the preferable way of traveling to the island for many Patmos visitors. The flight from Athens to a nearby island lasts roughly 45 minutes, and the transfer from the nearby island to Patmos lasts between 1-2.5 hours, and from there only 5 minutes to Patmos Villa Sophia.
If you select this option, we suggest the following routes in priority order, taking into consideration comfort, variety of transfer options, and risk for disruption due to windy weather conditions.
Choice A:
Fly to Kos either by charter flight from your country or by commercial Aegean or Olympic Air flights out of the Athens airport, and then catch a Dodekanisos Seaways catamaran, or Blue Star Ferry to Patmos. It would be more convenient to schedule your arrival time on Kos in the morning so that you ensure your transfer to Patmos on the same day.
Pros of Choice A:
Dodekanisos Seaways catamarans, and Blue Star ferries are not as sensitive to windy weather conditions, therefore transit to Patmos is almost always ensured on a daily basis. Multiple scheduled boat transfers are available to Patmos daily, and availability on Aegean or Olympic airlines flights is easy to secure.
Cons of Choice A:
The transit from Kos to Patmos by boat is 2.5 hours, but we believe that the benefits outweigh the slightly longer transit time compared to the more volatile transit options through other islands.
Please take into account that local boat connections may not be announced until the very last minute so you are strongly encouraged to contact us for clarification regarding inter-island transfer schedules.
Choice B:
Fly to Leros or Kalymnos by commercial Olympic Air flights out of the Athens airport, and then catch a Dodekanisos Seaways catamaran. Again here, it is more convenient to schedule your arrival time on Leros or Kalymnos in the morning so that you ensure your transfer to Patmos on the same day.
Pros of Choice B:
Dodekanisos Seaways catamarans are not as sensitive to windy weather conditions, therefore transit to Patmos is almost always ensured. Transit to Patmos is roughly 1-1.5 hours.
Cons of Choice B:
It is hard to obtain airline availability for those two islands, since airplanes are smaller, usually with 17 seats.
Please take again into account that local boat connections may not be announced until the very last minute so you strongly encouraged to contact the hotel for clarification regarding inter-island transfer schedules.
Choice C:
Fly to Samos either by charter flight from your country or by commercial Aegean or Olympic Air flights out of the Athens airport, and then catch a hydrofoil to Patmos. Nowadays, this choice is not available since it is not certain whether hydrofoils will operate. When the time schedules are announced more detailed information will be provided.
On occasion, you can also catch a flying dolphin (hydrofoil) or a small private vessel from Kos or Leros islands but when the wind speed reaches 6-7 Bft the flying dolphins (hydrofoils) do not leave the port they are at.
Please note Relevant Transfer Providers Contact Information:
http://www.aegeanair.com
(airline servicing Athens-Kos and Athens-Samos)
http://www.olympic-airways.com
(airline servicing Athens-Leros, Athens-Samos, Athens-Kos, Athens-Kalymnos)
http://www.12ne.gr
Dodekanisos Nautiliaki: +30-22410-70590
(catamaran company servicing Patmos-Leros-Kalymnos-Kos-Rhodes connections)
http://www.bluestarferries.com
(Ferry boat company servicing Athens-Patmos-Kos-Rhodes)
2. Getting to Patmos by ferry from Athens harbor Piraeus:
You may travel to Patmos by boarding a luxury ferry boat from the Port of Piraeus in Athens, for a total travel time estimate of 7 hours. Ferry boat transfers from the Piraeus Port are available during April-October at least four times a week leaving between 15.00 to 00.00 from Piraeus and arriving between 22.00 and 07.00 respectively at Patmos. Comfortable sleeping cabins are provided and you are strongly advised to book them in advance.
For further information please contact the following ferry boat company:
Blue Star Ferries
Luxurious ferry boat company servicing Piraeus-Patmos-Kos-Rhodes
Duration of trip: Roughly seven hours
Website: http://www.bluestarferries.com
FLYING TO ATHENS
Athens Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport is the main airport serving the Greek capital, and it is also the country’s busiest. Browse our Athens Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport guide for information on how to get there, facilities available and where to stay nearby.
There is an information desk in the Main Terminal. Additionally, an airport information line (tel: 210 353 0000) operates 24 hours a day.
Email address: airport_info@aia.gr
Website: www.aia.gr
GETTING FROM ATHENS AIRPORT TO PIRAEUS PORT
The most common way to get to Patmos is to get a flight to Athens and then take the boat from Athens’ port Piraeus to Patmos port Skala, which lies only 3.5 km or 2 miles away from Patmos Villa Sophia.
From Athens International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos” to Piraeus Port
By Taxi
Taxis are available 24/7. The pick up point is at the arrivals level between Exit 2 and Exit 3. The fare from Athens airport to Piraeus port is approximately:
– Day time (05:00-24:00) 47 €
– Night time (24:00-05:00) 65 €
By Metro
Piraeus metro station. The metro is available between 06:30 in the morning till 23:30 in the evening. It leaves from Athens airport metro station every 30 minutes.
Departure times: 06:33, 07:03, 07:33, 08:03, 08:33, 09:03, 09:33, 10:03, 10:33, 11:03, 11:33, 12:03, 12:33, 13:03, 13:33, 14:03, 14:33, 15:03, 15:33, 16:03, 16:33, 17:03, 17:33, 18:03, 18:33, 19:03, 19:33, 20:03, 20:33, 21:03, 21:33, 22:03, 22:33, 23:03, 23:33.
When you arrive at Monastiraki station you get of to wagon and change metro line. You get to the line that ends to Piraeus (green line).
The trip from Athens airport to Monastiraki takes 40 minutes. Then you will need another 30 minutes to Piraeus Port.
There are different types of tickets:
Ticket for one person (one-way): 8 Euro
Ticket for one person (with return): 14 Euro
Ticket for 2 persons (one-way only): 14 Euro
Ticket for 3 persons (one-way only): 20 Euro
Reduced ticket (students age 25-, age 6-18, age 65+): 20 Euro
Children up to 6 years old: Free
By Bus
You can catch the bus from the designate area at the arrivals level (between Exit 4 and Exit 5). The bus to catch is Route X96: Piraeus – Athens Airport
There is a bus leaving for Piraeus every 30 minutes and it takes around 50 minutes to arrive to Piraeus.
Tickets are available from the bus drivers, from the ticket kiosk at the bus departure area and from all the metro stations around Athens
Tickets and cost 5.00€. Children under 6 years can travel free. Half price ticket at 2.50€ is available for student, and people of age 18- and 65+
FROM PIRAEUS PORT TO PATMOS
A boat from Athens ( Piraeus ) takes 7 hours with Blue Star Ferries and 9-10 hours with ANEK ferries.
Boats leave from Gate E1 in Piraeus port daily. Gate E1 is for islands of the Dodecanese, to which Patmos belongs.
Tickets for all ferries are available from the corresponding kiosks across from the boats at the port . Do try to be there early , as some people miss their boats due to queuing for tickets.
Timetables are available only for the full tourist season of July – August. They are usually issued late June. These times sometimes change so call the Ferry office to confirm or call (+30) 14944 for a recorded message in Greek, for the boat schedules of today and tomorrow to all islands in Greece. There are also timetables for flights, trains and buses on this telephone service.
There are also small privately-owned ferries from different islands usually doing day tours to Patmos, but their times change regularly so calling the port authorities is the only way to verify their times. Call travel agencies for more, if any details.
REACHING PATMOS VILLA SOPHIA
Conveniently located near Grikos, a picturesque and serene fishing village away from the tourist crowds, Villa Sophia is only a five-minute (3.5 km or 2 miles) car ride away from the Skala Harbor, a seven minute car ride (5 km or 3 miles) from Chora, the island’s center, a 1 km. drive from Grikos and only 150 meters from the sea of secluded Epsimia Bay. Some of our guests enjoy taking walks from Grikos to various locations on the island, which is only 13 km (or 8 miles) long and we will gladly assist you by renting cars and motorbikes, or by calling taxis on any occasion.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS TO PATMOS VILLA SOPHIA
Since Patmos Villa Sophia is located in an advantageously central, yet absolutely secluded area of the island, you will probably need assistance the first time to get there and we are more than happy to provide you with a full concierge service escorting you from the Patmos Port to the villa, upon your arrival, showing you around the premises and the estate, and answer any questions or needs you may have. As you arrive at the Patmos harbor, our concierge will escort you in taking a left turn and follow the main island road to Grikos, parallel to the sea and offering a beautiful scenic ride.
After less than five minutes, approximately 3.5 km (or 2 miles) from the harbor (and about 1 km. before the Grikos intersection) you will slow down and notice a traffic mirror with various hotel signs next to it, right opposite and across the main road and on the left side, exactly at the left turn for Sapsila Bay and Epsimia Bay.
Two roads start from the mirror, a left downhill one which goes to Sapsila Bay and a right uphill which goes to Epsimia Bay. You will take the right one which goes up towards Epsimia Bay and, after following the asphalt road for approximately 300 meters, you will arrive at a picturesque white chapel on your right.
Immediately after the chapel you take the first right turn, following a cement road leading even more uphill. You follow this road for another 300 meters, pass by a small photovoltaic station and arrive at a wide crossroads facing an iron gate of a large 100 acres estate with olive groves and vineyards.
Right before the gate, as soon as the fence finishes, you turn left and see Patmos Villa Sophia, straight ahead in 100 meters, overlooking the sea.
GETTING AROUND PATMOS
Scooters: these are ubiquitous and cheap to hire, getting you everywhere not covered by buses. Rates from €10 per day for a small scooter
Car hire: for groups or the scooter-averse, cars are also available from € 30-60 per day depending on time of year and car type. Minibus and chaffeur services are also available upon request and at an special extra charge. Car renting during high season in July and August is very difficult, so advanced booking is suggested.
Transfers: Frequent buses link Skála (terminal by ferry dock) with Hóra and Gríkou, less often with Kámbos in the north.
BUS TIMETABLE
FROM 1ST OF JULY TO 31ST OF AUGUST
FROM SKALA TO HORA
a.m 7.40 9.15 11.30
p.m 12.30 1.30 3.30 4.30 5.30 7.30 8.40 9.30
FROM HORA TO SKALA
a.m 8.00 10.00 12.00
p.m 1.00 1.45 3.45 5.00 5.45 8.05 9.00 9.45
FROM SKALA TO GRIKOS
a.m 9.15
p.m 12.30 1.30 3.30 4.30 5.30 9.30
FROM HORA TO GRIKOS
a.m 9.30
p.m 1.45 3.45 5.45 7.40 9.45
FROM SKALA TO KAMBOS
a.m 8.15 10.30
p.m 2.15 6.30
FROM GRIKOS TO HORA
a.m 9.45
p.m 12.45 4.45 7.50
FROM KAMBOS TO SKALA
a.m 8.40 11.00
p.m 3.00 7.00
FROM GRIKOS TO SKALA
a.m 9.45
p.m 12.45 2.00 4.00 4.45 6.00 10.00
BUS TIMETABLE FROM 1ST OF JULY TO 31ST OF AUGUST
FROM SKALA TO HORA
a.m 7.40 9.15 11.30
p.m 12.30 1.30 3.30 4.30 5.30 7.30 8.40 9.30
FROM HORA TO SKALA
a.m 8.00 10.00 12.00
p.m 1.00 1.45 3.45 5.00 5.45 8.05 9.00 9.45
FROM SKALA TO GRIKOS
a.m 9.15
p.m 12.30 1.30 3.30 4.30 5.30 9.30
FROM HORA TO GRIKOS
a.m 9.30
p.m 1.45 3.45 5.45 7.40 9.45
FROM SKALA TO KAMBOS
a.m 8.15 10.30
p.m 2.15 6.30
FROM GRIKOS TO HORA
a.m 9.45
p.m 12.45 4.45 7.50
FROM KAMBOS TO SKALA
a.m 8.40 11.00
p.m 3.00 7.00
FROM GRIKOS TO SKALA
a.m 9.45
p.m 12.45 2.00 4.00 4.45 6.00 10.00
On Patmos it is rather easy to find a car to rent as there are several professional car rental companies, all easily accessed from Patmos Villa Sophia.
The only time of the year when it may be difficult to find a car is August, so be sure to make your car reservation early and not at the last moment. You can easily make a car rental reservation via email, fax or telephone.
Renting a car or a moped is definitely a good idea so you can explore the various beauties of the island on your own.
