How to get there

Phase 2: International Entry Points

Flying to Athens International Airport

Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH) is the main gateway for most international travellers heading to Ios. This modern airport connects Ios to the wider world with flights arriving from across Europe and beyond.

Flight Duration from Key Markets:

From London, direct flights take approximately 4 hours and 15 minutes. Prices start from around £28 to £96 depending on how far in advance you book. Major airlines serving this route include British Airways, Ryanair, EasyJet, and Aegean Airlines.

From Dublin, flight times are similar at around 4.5 hours, with budget airlines like Ryanair offering competitive fares.

From North America (USA and Canada), flights typically involve one connection in major European hubs like Frankfurt, Munich, or Amsterdam. Total travel time ranges from 12 to 15 hours depending on your starting city.

From other European cities like Paris, Amsterdam, and Frankfurt, direct flights range from 2.5 to 3 hours.

Best Booking Times:

Book your international flights 6 to 8 weeks in advance for the best fares. December is typically the cheapest month to travel, whilst summer months (July and August) command premium prices. Avoid booking during peak holiday periods like Easter and Christmas unless necessary.

Airport Facilities:

Athens airport features excellent facilities including currency exchange, ATMs, car rental agencies, and restaurants. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the terminal. The airport is located 33 kilometres east of central Athens with good transport connections via metro, buses, and taxis.

Direct International Flights to Santorini

During summer months (May to September), several European cities offer direct flights to Santorini, which is only 39.5 kilometres from Ios. This route can save you time and hassle compared to flying to Athens first.

Available Seasonal Routes:

London to Santorini features 3 daily direct flights, typically taking 4 hours and 27 minutes. Expect to pay from £40 to £433 depending on the season.

Paris, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Rome, Milan, Naples, and Prague all have regular seasonal direct flights to Santorini during summer months.

Dublin and other Irish cities connect to Santorini through connections rather than direct flights.

When to Use This Route:

Flying directly to Santorini works brilliantly if you are visiting between May and September. You avoid the Athens airport hassle and reach the southern Cyclades much faster. However, if travelling outside summer months, Athens remains your only viable option as winter flight schedules to Santorini become extremely limited.

Alternative Entry: Crete to Ios

Crete is Greece’s largest island and sometimes offers excellent flight deals, particularly from UK airports.

Flight Option:

Direct flights from London to Heraklion (Crete) take approximately 4.5 hours. From Heraklion airport, you can fly to Athens in about 1 hour, then proceed to Ios via ferry or short flight to Santorini.

Ferry Option from Crete:

Ferries run regularly from Heraklion Port to Santorini, taking 2 to 3 hours. From there, you simply catch a short ferry to Ios. This route makes sense if you want to explore Crete first or if flight deals to Crete are significantly cheaper than Athens.

Phase 3: Main Transportation Methods

Flying from Athens to Ios

Unfortunately, Ios does not have its own airport, so flying is not a direct option for reaching the island itself. However, flying to nearby Santorini airport is the fastest gateway to Ios.

Flight Details to Nearby Santorini:

The flight from Athens to Santorini takes approximately 45 minutes. Airlines operating this route include Aegean Airlines and Sky Express, offering multiple daily services.

Cost ranges from £25 to £100 depending on season and how far in advance you book.

From Santorini airport, you exit the terminal and take a taxi or rental car (approximately 15 minutes) to Athinios Port. From there, catch a ferry to Ios (see ferry section below).

Frequency and Schedule:

Flights depart Athens multiple times daily, with increased frequency during summer months and reduced schedules in winter. Morning and early afternoon flights work best as they allow you to catch a midday ferry to Ios and arrive before evening.

Ferry Options from Piraeus Port, Athens

Piraeus is Athens’ main ferry port, located 12.5 kilometres west of the city centre. It takes about 30 minutes to reach Piraeus from central Athens by taxi or metro, and approximately 1 hour from Athens airport.

Standard Ferry Details:

Standard conventional ferries operate on the Piraeus to Ios route year-round. These ferries carry cars, motorcycles, and foot passengers.

Journey duration ranges from 7 to 10 hours depending on stops and sea conditions. Most standard ferries make stops at islands like Kythnos, Serifos, Sifnos, and Milos along the way.

Cost for foot passengers ranges from £7 to £23, with an average of around £20.

These ferries feature restaurants serving meals and snacks, cafes, TVs in lounges, outdoor decks, and comfortable seating areas. Some offer cabin options for additional cost if you want a more private experience.

High-Speed Ferry Details:

High-speed ferries (operated by Seajets and Blue Star Ferries) cut the journey time dramatically to 4 to 4.5 hours. These modern vessels are much faster, offering a more direct experience.

Expect to pay £22 to £50 for foot passengers on high-speed ferries, significantly more than standard ferries but offering considerably less travel time.

High-speed ferries are more popular during summer months. Winter schedules are more limited, so check availability before booking if travelling outside peak season.

Comfort on high-speed ferries is excellent with air-conditioned lounges, snack bars, and Wi-Fi access on many services.

Ferry Companies Operating This Route:

Blue Star Ferries operates year-round services on the Piraeus to Ios route, offering both standard and high-speed options. They are known for reliability and good service standards.

Seajets specialises in high-speed ferry services and operates multiple daily sailings during summer, with reduced service in winter.

Fast Ferries, Golden Star Ferries, Zante Ferries, Minoan Lines, and Aegean Sea Lines also serve this route seasonally, particularly during summer months.

Ferry Port Details:

Piraeus Port is well-developed with clear signage, ticketing areas, restaurants, shops, and bathrooms. The port is easy to reach from anywhere in Athens via public transport or taxi. KTEL buses run directly from Athens airport to Piraeus for approximately £7 to £10.

The main ferry terminal has separate areas for different companies, so confirm which terminal your ferry departs from when you book.

Inter-Island Connections

Ios benefits from excellent connections with neighbouring Cyclades islands, making it perfect for island hopping.

Ferry Route to Mykonos:

Ferries connect Ios to Mykonos, taking approximately 2 to 3 hours on high-speed services. Seajets and Blue Star Ferries operate this route.

Cost ranges from £27 to £50 for foot passengers. This route operates daily during summer with reduced frequency in winter.

Multiple daily sailings are available in summer (June to September), making day trips possible.

Ferry Route to Paros:

Direct ferries run from Ios to Paros, with travel time of approximately 1 to 1.5 hours on fast ferries. This is one of the quickest island connections.

Cost starts from £8 to £15 for foot passengers.

Daily services run year-round, though winter schedules are less frequent.

Ferry Route to Naxos:

Ferries operate from Ios to Naxos with journey times of 45 minutes to 1 hour on high-speed services.

Expect to pay £8 to £14 for foot passengers, making this one of the cheapest inter-island routes.

Up to 3 direct ferries run daily, offering flexibility for island hoppers.

Ferry Route to Santorini:

The short ferry from Ios to Santorini (Athinios Port) takes just 35 to 40 minutes on high-speed ferries. This is one of the quickest connections in the Cyclades.

Cost is very affordable at £6 to £23 depending on the ferry company and season.

Multiple daily services operate (typically 7 ferries per day in summer), making this an easy route to plan around.

Ferry Route to Folegandros:

Ferries run from Ios to Folegandros, taking approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes to 1 hour and 40 minutes.

Tickets cost from £5.50 (low season) to £69.70 depending on the ferry type and season.

The route operates daily in summer with at least 1 daily service available. This is a fantastic route for exploring the less visited western Cyclades.

Ferry Route to Milos:

The journey from Ios to Milos takes 2 hours and 50 minutes to 4 hours depending on the ferry type.

Cost ranges from £13 to £39 for foot passengers.

Up to 2 daily services run during summer months. This route is great for those wanting to explore Milos’s dramatic volcanic landscapes.

Ferry Route to Sikinos:

Ferries connect Ios to the quiet island of Sikinos, taking approximately 1.5 to 2 hours.

This route operates primarily in summer (June to September) with limited winter service.

Cost is very affordable, typically around £8 to £20 for foot passengers.

Cruise Ship Arrivals

Ios does receive cruise ship visits, particularly during summer months. However, it is a smaller port compared to Mykonos or Santorini, so not all cruises include Ios.

Port Facilities:

Ios has one main port called Ormos (also known as Gialos) on the western side of the island. The port is well-equipped with supermarkets, cafes, restaurants, ATMs, and hotels, making it convenient for cruise passengers.

The port is located just 2 kilometres from Chora (the main town), approximately a 5-minute drive or 20-minute walk.

Tender Boat Process:

Ios has adequate port facilities for vessels to dock directly at the pier, so most cruise passengers disembark directly rather than via tender boats. This is a significant advantage compared to Santorini, where passengers must be tendered to shore.

Time Constraints for Cruise Passengers:

Cruise ships typically stay for 6 to 8 hours in Ios, giving passengers reasonable time to explore Chora, visit beaches, and enjoy meals.

The short time window means planning activities in advance is helpful. Focus on nearby attractions like Chora’s nightlife, Mylopotas Beach, and local tavernas rather than trying to see the entire island.

Transfer Options from Cruise Ports:

Upon disembarking, you have several options. Taxis are available at the port, though they fill quickly during cruise ship arrivals. Pre-booking a taxi or transfer in advance is recommended.

Buses run regularly from the port to Chora and other locations on the island, costing just £1 to £2 per ticket.

Walking to Chora is absolutely feasible (20 minutes) if travelling light.

Getting from Airport/Port to Your Destination

From Santorini Airport to Ios

After arriving at Santorini airport, you must make your way to Athinios Port (approximately 15 kilometres away) to catch your ferry to Ios.

By Taxi:

Taxis are readily available outside Santorini airport 24 hours a day. The ride to Athinios Port takes approximately 15 minutes and costs around £12 to £15.

This is the most straightforward option, particularly if you have luggage or want to avoid navigating public transport whilst tired from travel.

By Bus:

Public buses operate from Santorini airport to various locations on the island. You can take a bus to Fira (the main town) and then catch a connecting bus to Athinios Port.

Total journey time is approximately 40 minutes to 1 hour, and cost is very budget friendly at around £2 to £4.

By Rental Car:

If planning to explore Santorini or continue to other islands with a rental car, picking one up at the airport works well. The drive to Athinios Port is straightforward and takes 15 to 20 minutes.

However, if you are only visiting Ios, renting a car is unnecessary as it simply adds expense with no benefit.

From Athens Airport to Piraeus Port

Reaching Piraeus Port from Athens airport is straightforward with multiple transport options available.

By Metro:

The metro is the most budget-friendly option costing around £7 to £10 for a single ticket. The journey takes approximately 1 hour depending on which terminal you are departing from and train service schedules.

Take the metro line towards Piraeus, which runs regularly throughout the day and most of the night.

This option is ideal if you do not have much luggage and want to save money.

By Taxi:

A taxi from Athens airport to Piraeus Port typically costs £30 to £45 depending on traffic conditions and time of day. The journey takes approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Night surcharges apply after 10 PM, typically adding 50 percent to the meter fare.

This option is convenient if you have luggage or prefer not to navigate public transport.

By KTEL Bus:

KTEL airport buses run directly from Athens airport to Piraeus Port multiple times per day. Cost is approximately £7 to £10, and the journey takes about 1 hour.

Buses run regularly from early morning through late evening. This is an excellent budget option and more comfortable than the metro if carrying luggage.

By Hotel Pickup Service:

If your accommodation offers airport transfers, take advantage of this option. Many hotels in Ios can arrange pickup from Athens airport with transport directly to Piraeus Port ferry terminal, though this is typically more expensive than public options.

From Piraeus Port to Ios and Beyond

Once you arrive in Ios at Ormos port, several options exist for reaching your accommodation.

By Taxi:

Taxis are available at the port, though summer arrivals can create queues. There are a few taxis on the island, so booking in advance via phone (0030 694 4693 957) is recommended, particularly during peak season.

Cost from the port to Chora ranges from £5 to £10. Prices to Mylopotas Beach or other locations vary based on distance.

Night surcharges (50 percent premium) apply to trips after 10 PM, so factor this into your budget for late-night arrivals.

By Bus:

Regular buses connect Ormos port with Chora and Mylopotas Beach, typically departing every 20 minutes during summer. Cost is very budget-friendly at approximately £1 to £2 per ticket.

Buses are comfortable and air-conditioned, making them an excellent option if you are not in a hurry. The journey to Chora takes about 10 to 15 minutes.

By Hotel Shuttle:

Many accommodations offer complimentary or low-cost shuttle service from the port. Contact your accommodation in advance to arrange this, as booking a spot ensures transport is available when you arrive.

This option provides convenience and peace of mind, particularly if arriving late at night.

By Water Taxi:

Water taxis operate from Ormos port serving various beaches and coastal areas around Ios. These are perfect if your accommodation is near a beach or in a remote location not easily reached by road.

Water taxis offer privacy and beautiful coastal views during your journey. Booking in advance is recommended, particularly for remote destinations.

By Rental Car or Scooter:

Car and scooter rental companies operate near the port and in Chora. Rental options include small cars starting around £45 to £50 per day, ATVs, and scooters at competitive rates.

Scooters are particularly popular on Ios for exploring the island’s roads and accessing remote beaches. However, ensure you have appropriate driving licences and insurance.

Walking:

Walking from the port to Chora takes approximately 20 minutes using a scenic stepped path, though the uphill walk with luggage is challenging in summer heat.

This option works best if you are not heavily laden with luggage and arriving during cooler morning or evening hours.

Cost Comparison Table

Transport Method	Cost (per foot passenger)	Most Economical	When to Use
Standard Ferry: Athens to Ios	£7-£23	Budget-conscious travellers	More time available, flexibility
High-speed Ferry: Athens to Ios	£22-£50	Medium budget	Time-sensitive travellers
Flight: Athens to Santorini + Ferry to Ios	£40-£100 + £6-£23	Those wanting speed	Short holidays, minimal time
Ferry: Ios to Santorini	£6-£23	Day-trippers and cheap options	Island hopping between southern Cyclades
Ferry: Ios to Paros	£8-£15	Budget island hoppers	Central Cyclades exploration
Ferry: Ios to Folegandros	£5.50-£69.70	Budget in low season	Western Cyclades exploration

Duration Planning

From United Kingdom to Ios:

Flying London to Athens plus ferry: Depart London early morning (6-8 AM), arrive Athens by afternoon (allowing 2-3 hours for airport procedures), then catch an evening ferry (typically 4-6 PM departures available). Total journey time is approximately 12 to 14 hours, arriving in Ios late evening or early next morning.

Flying London to Santorini plus ferry: Depart London early morning, arrive Santorini by afternoon, catch a late afternoon or evening ferry to Ios. Total journey time is similar at 12 to 14 hours.

From USA or Canada to Ios:

Allow 16 to 20 hours total journey time including connections through major European hubs. Most travellers overnight in Athens or another European city, which breaks up the journey and reduces fatigue.

Flying via one major hub city to Athens or Santorini then ferrying to Ios is the standard routing.

Connection Time Buffers:

Allow at least 2 hours between arrival at Athens airport and ferry departure from Piraeus to handle baggage claim, airport exit, and transport.

If flying to Santorini for connection to Ios, allow 1 hour minimum between plane landing and ferry departure, as the airport to port drive is quick.

For tight connections, consider pre-booking transport or arranging hotel pickups to minimise risk of missing your ferry.

Jet Lag Considerations:

From the UK, time difference is minimal (only 1 hour), so jet lag is not a significant factor.

From North America, expect 6 to 8 hours time difference creating moderate jet lag. Arriving in the afternoon and spending an evening settling in helps body clock adjustment.

Sleep Planning Advice:

On overnight ferries or flights, try to sleep when the journey occurs naturally (evening departures mean you can sleep as normal, arriving refreshed).

Avoid back-to-back days of travel when possible. If flying transatlantic plus ferry, consider staying a night in Athens to rest and adjust before heading to the islands.

Travel Documents and Requirements

Passport Validity:

Ensure your passport is valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned travel dates. Greece is part of the Schengen Area and technically requires this validity period.

UK citizens can enter Greece visa-free for tourist visits up to 90 days within any 180-day period.

Visa Requirements by Nationality:

UK citizens require no visa for stays under 90 days.

USA, Canadian, Australian, and New Zealand citizens also qualify for visa-free entry for tourist visits under 90 days.

European Union citizens can enter freely with any valid ID document (no passport required, though it is recommended).

Those planning stays longer than 90 days must apply for appropriate long-stay visas before travelling.

Citizens of other countries should check Greece’s official embassy website for visa requirements specific to their nationality.

ETIAS (New from 2026):

From 2026, visa-exempt travellers (including UK, US, Canadian citizens) will need to register for ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) before entering the Schengen Area.

This is an online pre-screening process (not a traditional visa) that typically takes minutes to complete and costs approximately €7 per person.

Registration is valid for 3 years, allowing multiple entries during this period.