Syros has a neat, small bus network built around a loop of villages south of Ermoupoli, plus a direct line out to the beach at Kini. It is not a huge system, but it covers the places most visitors actually want to reach, and it runs a proper timetable through the summer rather than a vague once or twice a day service. This guide sets out the routes, the timetable from July, and the ticket prices in one clear page.
Who Runs the Buses and Where They Leave From
All buses on the island are run by KTEL Syrou, the only public bus operator here. Every route starts and ends at the bus terminal in Ermoupoli, right by the port, so wherever you are headed you begin from the same spot.
There are 2 main routes on Syros, and both are a loop around the same string of villages along the south coast, just run in opposite directions. One heads out through Kini first, the other heads out through Azolimno first, so between the two of them you get a bus passing through most stops in both directions fairly often.
Syros Bus Prices
Every route on the island is priced the same, no matter where you get on or off.
| Fare type | Price |
|---|---|
| Standard single ticket, any route or distance | 2 euros |
| Children under 5 | Free, as long as they do not need their own seat |
Tickets are bought on the bus itself, and since the network is small and everything is a flat fare, there is no need to work out zones or distances in advance.
The Southern Loop, Ermoupoli to Kini, Talanta, Galissa, Finika, Posidonia, Mega Gialo, Vari and Azolimno
This is the main circuit on the island and it runs as a loop in both directions, so you can pick whichever direction gets you to your stop faster.
| Route | First bus from Ermoupoli | Last bus from Ermoupoli | How often |
|---|---|---|---|
| Via Kini, Galissa, Finika, Posidonia, Mega Gialo, Vari, Azolimno, back to Ermoupoli | 09:00 | 23:30 | Roughly every hour, 15 buses a day |
| Via Azolimno, Vari, Mega Gialo, Posidonia, Finika, Galissa, Kini, back to Ermoupoli | 07:30 | 23:25, with a final very late bus around 01:25 | Roughly every hour, with a couple of extra early and late departures |
A full loop takes a little over an hour, and Talanta is only served on some of the runs rather than every single one, so check that your particular departure calls there if that is your stop.
Direct Ermoupoli to Kini Line
Alongside the loop, there is also a direct back and forth service to Kini beach, which takes about 20 minutes each way.
| Direction | Departures |
|---|---|
| Ermoupoli to Kini | 09:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00, 16:00, 17:00, 18:00, 19:00, 20:00, 21:00, 23:30 |
| Kini to Ermoupoli | 08:25, 11:20, 11:30, 12:20, 13:20, 14:20, 15:30, 16:30, 17:20, 18:20, 19:20, 20:20, 21:30, 23:30, 01:25 |
Monday Only Countryside Route
There is also a special service that only runs on Mondays, heading inland to some of the smaller villages rather than the coast. It leaves Ermoupoli at 08:30 and 15:00, calling at Ano Manna, Chroussa, Parakopi, Posidonia, Finika, Galissa and Talanta before heading back to Ermoupoli. This is a nice option if you want to see a quieter side of the island, but obviously only works if your visit lines up with a Monday.
Getting to the Beaches
Kini, on the north west coast, is one of the most popular beaches on the island and is served both by the loop and by its own direct line, so it has the best bus connections of anywhere outside Ermoupoli. Galissa, Finika, Posidonia, Mega Gialo, Vari and Azolimno all sit along the southern loop, so whichever one you are headed to, a bus in one direction or the other passes roughly every hour through the day.
Handy Tips for Riding the Bus in Syros
- Buy your ticket on the bus, since there is a flat 2 euro fare for any route or distance.
- Check which direction of the loop gets you there faster, since both directions eventually reach the same villages but in a different order.
- Let the driver know your stop in advance if it is a smaller one, since drivers do not always stop automatically at the quieter villages.
- Seating is first come, first served, so arrive a few minutes early if you want a particular seat.
- Keep an eye on the last bus back, especially from Azolimno or Vari late in the evening, since the loop does eventually stop running for the night.
Final Thoughts
The Syros bus network is small but sensible, with 2 loop routes covering the south coast villages in opposite directions and a handy direct line out to Kini beach. Because every ticket costs the same flat 2 euros, there is nothing to work out in advance beyond picking the right direction and departure time. As always, it is worth checking the current timetable on the KTEL Syrou website or at the terminal in Ermoupoli before you travel, since the schedule is updated each season.
