Syros Airport, code JSY, is the quietest airport in the Cyclades. It sits just south of Ermoupoli, the grand old capital of the island, and has only a few flights a week, mostly from Athens. Because Syros is one of the best connected ferry hubs in the Aegean, most visitors arrive by boat, but the short flight from Athens is a handy option when the sea is rough or time is tight. This guide covers everything you need to know about Syros Airport, including flights, taxis, car hire, getting to the port and what to expect in the terminal.
Syros Airport at a glance
Syros Airport (JSY) is about 2.5 km from Ermoupoli and has a small number of flights from Athens, taking about 35 minutes.
- Airport code: JSY (IATA) and LGSO (ICAO)
- Official name: Syros Island National Airport, named after Demetrios Vikelas
- Location: just south of Ermoupoli, about 3.4 km from the ferry port
- Flights: Sky Express from Athens all year, plus seasonal Aegean flights from Thessaloniki
- Taxi to Ermoupoli: about 10 to 15 euros
- Bus: there is no airport bus
Does Syros Have an Airport?
Yes. Syros Island National Airport opened in 1991 and is run by the Greek Civil Aviation Authority. It has a single 1,080 metre runway, which can only take small propeller aircraft, and a very small terminal. It is the least busy airport in the Cyclades, handling just 18,047 passengers in 2018, because Syros has so many ferries. Boats from Piraeus and Rafina, as well as from Mykonos, Tinos, Paros and Naxos, call at Ermoupoli throughout the year, so the airport is used mainly by islanders and by visitors who want to avoid a rough crossing.
The airport carries the name of Demetrios Vikelas, a writer born in Ermoupoli in 1835 who became the first president of the International Olympic Committee and helped organise the first modern Olympic Games in Athens in 1896.
Syros Airport Code and Name
The Syros airport code is JSY, and this is the code on your boarding pass and luggage tag. The ICAO code used by pilots is LGSO. Booking sites may list it as Syros Island National Airport, Syros Airport or Syros Dimitrios Vikelas Airport. They all refer to the same small airport outside Ermoupoli.
Where Is Syros Airport?
The airport is on high ground just south of Ermoupoli, about 3.5 km by road from the harbour. That makes it one of the closest airports to a main town in the whole of Greece. Ermoupoli, with its neoclassical mansions, marble main square and the medieval hilltop quarter of Ano Syros above it, is a few minutes away by taxi.
| From Syros Airport to | Distance | By road | Typical taxi fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ermoupoli centre | 2.5 km | About 5 to 10 minutes | 10 to 15 euros |
| Ermoupoli port | 3.4 km | About 10 minutes | 10 to 15 euros |
| Galissas | 9.8 km | About 15 to 20 minutes | About 15 to 20 euros |
| Vari | A few km south | About 10 to 15 minutes | 15 to 20 euros |
| Posidonia | 11 km | About 20 minutes | 15 to 20 euros |
Syros Airport to Ermoupoli and the Beaches
Taxi
- Call ahead or ask staff
- 10 to 15 euros to Ermoupoli
- 2 taxi companies on Syros
- Best for most arrivals
Hire car
- Collect on arrival
- Good for the beaches
- Parking hard in Ermoupoli
- Best for exploring
Hotel transfer
- Some hotels pick up
- Arrange before you fly
- Useful for beach resorts
- Best for late flights
Bus
- Buses start in Ermoupoli
- Take a taxi into town first
- Then bus to the beaches
- Best for day trips later
Syros Airport Taxi
A taxi is the easiest way to leave Syros Airport. With so few flights, drivers do not always wait at the terminal, so call ahead or ask the airport staff to ring one for you when you land. The 2 local taxi companies are Hermes Taxi, on +30 22810 80000 or +30 22810 84222, and Syros Taxi, on +30 22810 88222 or +30 22810 86222. A taxi into Ermoupoli costs about 10 to 15 euros, and to the beach resorts at Vari or Posidonia about 15 to 20 euros. Fares go up late at night. Our Syros taxi guide has more fares and tips.
Is There a Bus from Syros Airport?
No. There is no public bus to or from Syros Airport. The island’s buses start from the bus station on the waterfront in Ermoupoli, so the usual plan is a short taxi ride into town and then a bus onwards to beaches such as Galissas, Kini, Vari and Posidonia. See our Syros bus timetable for routes and times.
Car Hire at Syros Airport
There is a car hire desk at the airport, and several local firms will bring a car to the terminal or meet you outside. A car is useful for reaching the quieter beaches in the north and west of Syros, but it is not much help in Ermoupoli itself, where the streets are steep and narrow and parking is hard to find. UK visitors can drive in Greece on a UK photocard licence. Our guide to getting around Syros compares cars, buses, taxis and scooters.
Flights to Syros
All flights to Syros are domestic, and there are only a handful each week. Sky Express flies from Athens all year, and Aegean Airlines adds a seasonal route from Thessaloniki.
| Route | Airline | Flight time | How often |
|---|---|---|---|
| Athens to Syros | Sky Express | About 35 minutes | A few flights a week, all year |
| Thessaloniki to Syros | Aegean Airlines | About 1 hour 15 minutes | Seasonal, a few flights a month |
There are no direct flights from the UK to Syros. The Athens to Syros flight is quick, but with so few departures, most travellers find the ferry easier. Conventional and high speed ferries leave Piraeus and Rafina for Ermoupoli every day, and the crossing takes roughly 2 to 4 hours depending on the boat. In summer you can also fly direct from the UK to Mykonos, which is a short ferry ride from Syros. Our guides on how to get to Syros and the Athens to Syros ferry compare every option.
Inside the Terminal
| Facility | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Food and drink | A small canteen |
| Car hire | A car hire desk, with other firms delivering cars to the terminal |
| Parking | A small car park for private cars |
| Shops, duty free and lounge | None |
| Money | Bring cash or use the ATMs in Ermoupoli |
Syros Airport Arrivals and Departures
Arriving at Syros is quick and quiet. You walk from the plane to the terminal, collect your bags and step outside, as there is no passport control on domestic flights. Because there is only one flight at a time, sort out your taxi or car before you land. For departures, arriving about 1 hour before your flight is plenty. The small aircraft used on Syros routes have tight baggage limits, and strong winds can occasionally disrupt flights, so leave a generous gap if you are connecting to an international flight in Athens. Check live Syros Airport arrivals and departures on the Sky Express or Aegean website.
Syros Airport to the Ferry Port
The ferry port is in the centre of Ermoupoli, about 3.4 km from the airport, so a flight to ferry connection is simple. A taxi takes about 10 minutes and costs 10 to 15 euros. Ermoupoli is one of the busiest ports in the Cyclades, with ferries to Mykonos, Tinos, Paros, Naxos, Andros and Athens. See our ferry guides from Mykonos to Syros and Naxos to Syros, and the full list of Cyclades ferry routes.
Nearest Airport to Syros
| Airport | How to reach Syros | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Athens (ATH) | A 35 minute Sky Express flight, or a 2 to 4 hour ferry from Piraeus or Rafina | All year travel and the most UK flights |
| Mykonos (JMK) | Direct summer flights from London and Manchester, then a short ferry to Syros | Summer trips combining Mykonos and Syros |
| Paros (PAS) and Naxos (JNX) | Domestic flights from Athens, then a ferry to Syros | Island hopping in the central Cyclades |
Our guides to Mykonos Airport, Paros Airport and Naxos Airport explain how each one works.
Frequently Asked Questions About Syros Airport
Does Syros have an airport?
Yes. Syros Island National Airport opened in 1991 and sits just south of Ermoupoli, about 3.5 km by road from the ferry port. It is small and only takes propeller aircraft, with a few flights a week from Athens.
What is the Syros airport code?
The IATA code for Syros Airport is JSY, which is the code on tickets and luggage tags. The ICAO code is LGSO.
What is Syros Airport called?
Its full name is Syros Island National Airport Dimitrios Vikelas. It is named after Demetrios Vikelas, who was born in Ermoupoli and became the first president of the International Olympic Committee.
How far is Syros Airport from Ermoupoli?
The airport is about 2.5 km from the centre of Ermoupoli and about 3.4 km from the ferry port. The drive takes about 5 to 10 minutes.
How much is a taxi from Syros Airport to Ermoupoli?
A taxi from the airport to Ermoupoli costs about 10 to 15 euros. To Vari or Posidonia expect about 15 to 20 euros. Call Hermes Taxi on +30 22810 80000 or Syros Taxi on +30 22810 88222, as taxis do not always wait at the terminal.
Is there a bus from Syros Airport?
No. There is no public bus to or from Syros Airport. Take a taxi into Ermoupoli, where the island buses leave from the waterfront for the beaches.
Can I hire a car at Syros Airport?
Yes. There is a car hire desk at the airport, and several local firms will deliver a car to the terminal if you book ahead.
Which airlines fly to Syros?
Sky Express flies from Athens all year. Aegean Airlines runs a seasonal route from Thessaloniki.
How long is the flight from Athens to Syros?
The flight from Athens to Syros takes about 35 minutes. There are only a few flights a week, so book early.
Are there direct flights from the UK to Syros?
No. There are no international flights to Syros. Fly to Athens and take a short flight or a ferry, or fly direct to Mykonos in summer and take a ferry to Syros from there.
Is it better to fly or take the ferry to Syros?
For most visitors the ferry is easier. Boats leave Piraeus and Rafina every day and take roughly 2 to 4 hours, while flights are few. Flying is worth it when you are short of time or the sea is rough.
How far is Syros Airport from the port?
The ferry port in Ermoupoli is about 3.4 km from the airport. A taxi takes about 10 minutes and costs 10 to 15 euros.
What facilities are there at Syros Airport?
The terminal is very small. There is a canteen, a car hire desk and a small car park, but no shops, duty free or lounge.
What is the nearest airport to Syros?
Syros has its own airport. The nearest larger airport is Mykonos, which has direct summer flights from the UK and is a short ferry ride away. All year, Athens is the main option.
Final Thoughts
Syros Airport is tiny, but it is so close to Ermoupoli that you can be sitting on Miaouli Square within 15 minutes of landing. The catch is the small number of flights, so for most trips the ferry from Piraeus or Rafina is the more practical choice. If you do fly, book a taxi or hire car before you land, as there is no airport bus. Before you go, check our guide to the Syros weather to pick the best month for your visit.
