Ferry to Kalymnos 2027: routes, prices & tickets
You can reach Kalymnos on a direct ferry from Piraeus, with tickets from €60. It is an overnight trip for the Dodecanese. Here is how to choose a sailing, when to book, and how to get there if you are coming via Kos.
Ferry tickets to Kalymnos
- Departure ports
- 1
- Travel time
- 8.5 hours – 11h 50m
- Tickets from
- €60
- Ferry companies
- 1
Ferries to Kalymnos from Athens and the mainland
| Route | Travel time | Type | Ferry companies | from | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Piraeus to Kalymnos | 8.5 hours – 11h 50m | Conventional |  | €60 | Schedule → |
Ferry times to Kalymnos
Indicative schedule — times change by season. Confirm in the search before booking.
| Departs | Arrives | Vessel / Company | Type | Days | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12:00 | 22:45 | Blue Star Delos | Conventional | Sun | — |
| 15:00 | 01:30 | Blue Star Delos | Conventional | Tue | — |
| 15:00 | 01:20 | Blue Star Delos | Conventional | Thu | — |
| 18:00 | 05:05 | Superfast XI | Conventional | Wed | — |
| 18:00 | 05:05 | Superfast XI | Conventional | Fri | — |
| Departs | Arrives | Vessel / Company | Type | Days | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13:00 | 00:50 | Blue Star Patmos | Conventional | Thu | — |
| 15:00 | — | Blue Star Patmos | Conventional | Sun | — |
| 17:00 | 03:50 | Blue Star Patmos | Conventional | Tue | — |
| 18:00 | 05:05 | Blue Star 2 | Conventional | Wed | — |
| 18:00 | 02:30 | Blue Star 2 | Conventional | Fri | — |
How much is the ferry to Kalymnos
Conventional
from €60Starting prices per person, economy seat, one way.
When to book: for July–August 3–4 weeks ahead; May, June and September have more availability. Discounts for students, large families and island residents.
Ferry companies serving Kalymnos
Port information
- Arrival port: Pothia, the capital, built around the harbour. Cafés, tavernas and accommodation are all close by, so you can get around on foot.
- Arrival times: many sailings arrive in the evening or early hours. If you have a hotel booking, let them know your arrival time, especially if you are staying outside Pothia.
- Getting around: there are usually taxis at the port. For Massouri or Myrties, allow for about 8–10 km and roughly €16–20, though the fare may have changed.
- Airport: Kalymnos airport is about 6 km from the port. There is no bus connecting them, so you will need a taxi.
- Vehicle hire: you can hire a car or scooter on the island. It is best to book ahead for July and August.
- Boats from Pothia: an excursion boat runs to Pserimos. For Telendos, go to Myrties, where the water taxis leave from.
- Boarding: arrive in good time, as the ferry usually comes from another island and its schedule can shift depending on the weather.
How to get to Kalymnos by ferry
The Piraeus – Kalymnos route is operated by Blue Star Ferries, the only company with a direct connection from Athens. Tickets start from €60 for a deck or economy seat. The final price depends on the date, the type of seat and whether you are travelling with a vehicle. On peak-season dates, or if you book a cabin, the cost is noticeably higher.
The ferry does not stop only at Kalymnos. The route continues to Kos, Nisyros, Tilos, Symi and Rhodes, and it often calls first at Leipsoi, Astypalea, or Patmos and Leros. That is why the journey time varies, from roughly 8.5 to 11 hours depending on the sailing and the intermediate stops. So don't book based on the departure time alone. Check the arrival time too.
Which sailing to choose
Departures from Piraeus are usually around midday or in the afternoon, with arrival in Kalymnos in the evening or early hours. Recent timetables have followed roughly this pattern, with departures around 12:00, 15:00 and 18:00. There are two main options:
- Departure around 12:00–15:00: you arrive late in the evening or after midnight. You get a whole daytime journey on board, but you need to have arranged somewhere to stay and a way to get there from the port.
- Departure around 18:00: you sleep on the ferry and arrive early in the morning. This gives you a full day on the island, but to sleep properly you will need a cabin or at least an airline-style seat.
Kalymnos is served almost daily, but not at the same time every day. Timetables change depending on the day of the week, so start your search with the day that suits you rather than with a particular ship.
With a car or without
The ferry carries vehicles. Distances on the island are short, but the roads to Massouri, Myrties and Arginonta are winding and narrow in places. If you are staying in Pothia and mainly plan to wander around and take boat trips, you don't necessarily need a car. If you are staying on the west coast or want to get around freely, it is better to hire a vehicle on the island than to pay to bring your own. It depends on how long you are staying.
When to book for 2027
The 2027 timetables have not been announced yet. Summer schedules in the Dodecanese usually come out around spring, so if you see a provisional timetable, treat it as indicative. A practical rule of thumb:
- July–August, Greek Orthodox Easter and long weekends: book as early as you can, especially if you want a cabin or need to take a vehicle. The overnight sailing is the first to fill up.
- May–June and September: there is usually availability and slightly milder prices. These are also the months favoured by climbers and divers.
- Winter: the route runs all year round, but with fewer departures and a greater risk of weather delays.
Weather and the meltemi wind
In the Aegean in the summer months, the meltemi wind can delay or cancel sailings, particularly those on smaller vessels. The risk is lower for the ferry from Piraeus, but a coastguard sailing ban can still disrupt the whole timetable. Don't book a return flight for the same evening, and leave a one-day buffer if you have an important commitment afterwards.
If you are coming from Kos or by plane
Many people reach Kalymnos via Kos, because Kos airport has plenty of flights. From there, the most practical option is the port of Mastichari, close to the airport. Boats run from there to Pothia, taking about 30–45 minutes. Ferries to Kalymnos also leave from Kos Town port, but it is about 30 km from the airport and the taxi transfer costs more.
Kalymnos also has its own small airport, about 6 km from Pothia. There is no bus linking the airport directly with the port, so you will need a taxi.
What to do after you arrive
- Pothia: the capital and the main port. An amphitheatre-style town of cafés, tavernas and museums, where island life centres on the waterfront.
- Massouri and Myrties: the most touristy villages on the west coast, with views of Telendos and rock-climbing sectors. They are about 8–10 km from Pothia.
- Telendos: across the water from Myrties, reached by a water taxi that takes just a few minutes. No cars are allowed on the island.
- Pserimos: a daily boat from Pothia, running on a day-trip schedule.
- Vathy: a valley of tangerine groves and a fjord-like inlet, about 11 km from Pothia.
Kalymnos ferry FAQ
How much is the ferry to Kalymnos?
On the Piraeus – Kalymnos route, tickets start from €60. The price varies with the date, the type of seat (deck, airline-style seat or cabin) and whether you are taking a vehicle. It goes up in July and August.
How long does the Piraeus to Kalymnos ferry take?
Roughly 8.5 to 11 hours, depending on the sailing and how many intermediate stops the ferry makes. You will often travel overnight and arrive late in the evening or in the early hours.
Which company runs ferries from Piraeus to Kalymnos?
Blue Star Ferries operates the direct route from Piraeus. For inter-island routes within the Dodecanese, such as Kos – Kalymnos, other companies also operate.
When will the 2027 timetables be released?
They have not been announced yet. Summer schedules usually come out in spring. If you want to book earlier, look for provisional timetables and check the times again before you travel.
Can I get to Kalymnos from Kos?
Yes. There are daily connections to Pothia from Mastichari, near Kos airport, and from Kos Town port, taking about 30 to 60 minutes. The route from Mastichari is usually the most convenient for people arriving by air.
Which port does the ferry arrive at in Kalymnos?
Pothia, the island's capital. Boats to Pserimos also leave from there, while the water taxi to Telendos leaves from Myrties.
Can I take a car on the ferry?
Yes, the ferry carries vehicles. If you are staying in Pothia or only planning boat trips, it may work out better to hire a car on the island.
Does the ferry run all year round?
Yes, the route operates all year, but there are fewer departures in winter and weather delays are more frequent.