How to Reach Amorgos — The Complete Ferry Guide

Getting to Amorgos is already part of the experience. The island can only be reached by sea, and the ferry crossing — sailing through the Cyclades, with the wind and the Aegean blue all around — is your first taste of what awaits. It all starts with choosing the right airport: here are the main options.

Choosing the Right Airport

Athens (ATH): The most affordable option with the greatest number of flight connections. Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport is Greece's main hub, served by almost every European airline — including Aegean Airlines, Olympic Air, Ryanair, easyJet and Wizz Air — with direct flights from dozens of Italian and European cities. From the airport, the X96 bus takes you to Piraeus in about 90 minutes (ticket ~€6.20); alternatively, Metro Line 3 reaches central Athens in 40 minutes, from where you'll need to continue to the port. Keep in mind that this option still involves many hours of ferry travel once on board.

Santorini (JTR): One of the fastest and most convenient options, provided you can find an early morning flight, allowing you to catch the ferry on the same day without needing an overnight stay. The airport receives seasonal direct flights from numerous European cities — operated mainly by Aegean Airlines, easyJet, Ryanair and Volotea — plus frequent connections from Athens with Aegean and Olympic Air (approx. 45 minutes). Landing here, you can cut the sailing time to Amorgos to just 1–3 hours instead of 6–8.

Mykonos (JMK): Similar to Santorini, this is a convenient option if you can catch a morning flight. This airport is also well connected seasonally to major European cities via Aegean Airlines, easyJet, Ryanair and Volotea, and to Athens with frequent flights (approx. 45 minutes). If your schedule involves waiting at Mykonos port, you can take the opportunity to enjoy excellent traditional Greek food at the tavernas right next to the harbour.

Naxos (JNX): A small domestic airport, reachable mainly from Athens with Olympic Air and Sky Express (approx. 45 minutes, limited frequency: usually 1–2 daily flights depending on the season). From some European cities — particularly German and Austrian ones — there are also seasonal charter flights directly to Naxos: it's worth checking availability based on your departure city. In all cases, landing at Naxos dramatically reduces the sailing time to Amorgos, to just 1–2 hours by ferry.

On board a Greek ferry

Which Port: Katapola or Aegiali?

Amorgos has two main ports, about 45 minutes apart by car: Katapola and Aegiali. The former, more sheltered and traditional, is located in the central part of the island and is the historic main port, offering the highest frequency of annual connections, particularly with large conventional ferries from Piraeus. It's the natural hub for those heading to the Chora (the capital) or the southern part of the island. The latter is located in the north; this is where two of our three accommodations — Andras and Ormos — are situated. Connection frequency is lower than Katapola and often scheduled on alternating days or by different vessels. The two ports are about 45 minutes apart by car along a mountain road.

High-speed ferry crossing the Aegean between Greek islands

Types of Ferries

The fleet operating to Amorgos in 2025 falls into three distinct categories, each with specific booking requirements:

Conventional Ferries (e.g. Blue Star Ferries): The backbone of passenger and freight transport. They operate year-round with vessels such as Blue Star 2 or Blue Star Naxos. They offer greater stability at sea, affordable prices and — crucially for digital booking — full support for e-ticketing and web check-in. The classic departure from Piraeus is at 17:30 and, given the journey length, cabin options often sell out quickly. This route frequently arrives between 1:30 and 2:30 at night: at that hour public transport is nonexistent and taxis on the island are very scarce. We therefore recommend coordinating a transfer in advance with your accommodation to avoid being stranded at the port.

High-Speed Vessels (e.g. Seajets, Hellenic Highspeed): These dramatically reduce travel time from Piraeus (from 7–8 hours to approximately 5–6 hours) but at nearly double the cost. They operate mainly in the summer season (April–October). Their sensitivity to wind (the Meltemi) makes the cancellation policy of the booking platform a key factor when choosing.

Local Operators (Small Cyclades Lines): The legendary Express Skopelitis provides a vital connection between Naxos, the Small Cyclades and Amorgos. It's an authentic and affordable experience, ideal for those who want to experience the island on a historic vessel.

Quick Comparison: Cost & Duration

To manage your itinerary, we recommend the Ferry Hopper platform. It lets you purchase multiple legs in a single basket and offers a live vessel tracking feature, invaluable for coordinating transfers between islands like Naxos, Paros and Amorgos without stress. Book tickets well in advance, as availability fills up fast during peak summer season.

Ferry crew mooring at a Greek island port

Main Connections from Amorgos

Cyclades Islands: Naxos, Paros, Mykonos, Ios, Folegandros, Milos, Santorini, Iraklia, Schinoussa, Donoussa, Koufonissi.

Dodecanese: Astypalea, Patmos, Leros, Kos, Rhodes (less frequently, usually weekly).

Athens: From Piraeus port.

Amorgos is excellently connected, making it the perfect base for exploring other Aegean destinations — island-hopping easily through the Small Cyclades (Koufonisia, Iraklia, Schinoussa and Donoussa) and the Dodecanese.

Practical Examples: Getting There from European Cities

From Milan, the most convenient option in summer is a direct flight to Mykonos or Santorini with easyJet or Vueling from Malpensa (approx. 2h30), ideally choosing a morning departure: you land by noon and can catch the afternoon ferry, arriving in Amorgos by evening with just 1–3 hours of sailing. Alternatively, Aegean Airlines, Ryanair and ITA Airways offer direct flights to Athens (ATH) from both Malpensa and Linate (approx. 2h15): in this case you reach Piraeus by X96 bus and take the 17:30 evening ferry, but arrive in Amorgos in the middle of the night.

From Paris, the most direct connection is to Athens with Air France or Aegean Airlines from CDG (approx. 3h30), with many daily frequencies. In summer there are also seasonal direct flights to Mykonos from CDG and Orly, operated by Air France, Transavia and easyJet — in this case the journey is significantly shorter. Those travelling from Paris to Naxos will almost always need to connect via Athens, but it's worth it given the convenience of the final ferry leg.

From Zurich, one particularly interesting option stands out: Edelweiss Air operates seasonal charter flights directly to Naxos (JNX) from Zurich, making it one of the few continental European cities with a direct connection to Naxos. Outside the season or without availability to Naxos, SWISS and Aegean cover Zurich–Athens in about 3 hours with very high frequency. Seasonal Zurich–Mykonos flights operated by easyJet and Edelweiss are also worth considering.

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These are just a few examples — every journey is different. Your departure city, time of year and personal preferences can significantly change the available options. We're here to help you find the best route for you, whether you're travelling from Milan, Paris, Zurich or any other European city. Get in touch and we'll build the perfect itinerary to reach Amorgos together.