By air

There is no airport on Patmos.

If you are rich or important enough, there is a helicopter pad.

The nearest international airports are on the islands of Samos, Kos and Rhodes, and at Athens.
Leros island has a domestic airport with connections to Athens.

By ferry

NOTE: Due to the economic crisis in Greece many ferry services have been reduced or suspended and fares substantially increased. The latest accurate information is difficult to find, even on the websites of ferry companies. Always check at local travel agents, ferry ports and tourist information offices.

All ferries to Patmos land at the main port Skala.

Patmos is well situated for island hopping, with regular connections with other Dodecanses islands, the Cyclades, Northern Aegean islands and Athens.

There are ferries to/from Turkey at Samos (for Kusadasi and on to Ephesus), Kos (for Bodrum) and Rhodes (for Marmaris).

Ticket prices and schedules change continually and often the information on websites of ferry companies is difficult to find or decipher, or out of date. Try phoning the company (numbers on the respective websites) or ask at a travel agency for the latest information.

Unfortunately, it is often the case that reliable up-to-date information about schedules and fares for all kinds of transport around Greece (ferries, buses, trains) is only available at the place from which you want to travel.

Piraeus to Patmos

There are daily ferries between Piraeus (the port of Athens) and Rhodes, stopping at other Dodecanese islands including Patmos.

The current single fare Piraeus-Patmos is 36 Euros. Infants 0-4 years old and bicycles travel free, and there is a 50% discount for children 4-10 years old.

Ferries for the Dodecanese islands arrive at and depart from Piraeus port Gate E1.

Tickets are purchased at kiosks at the port. Signs above the kiosks indicate which destinations they serve. If you are not sure, ask a local. Get there early as there are often long queues.

Ferries are operated by:

Blue Star Ferries (Piraeus-Patmos 7 hours) bluestarferries.com

ANEK ferries (Piraeus-Patmos 9-10 hours) web.anek.gr

Faster high-speed catamaran ferries are operated by Dodekanisos Lines between Rhodes and the islands of Symi, Kos, Kalymnos, Leros, Lipsi, Patmos and Agathonisi. 12ne.gr/en/index.asp

A single passenger fare Rhodes-Patmos is 46 Euros.
Taking a car costs 109 Euros.

Even faster Flying Dolphin hydrofoils operate between the islands July-September, when there is not too much wind! Hydrofoils are at least twice as fast as normal ferries, and tickets are often double the price. aegeanflyingdolphins.gr

Samos to Patmos

There are also small ferries between the islands operated by local companies. For example there is a daily excursion ferry in summer from the port of Pythagorio on Samos to Patmos. It departs from Pythagorio Sunday-Friday at 8 am, and departs from Patmos for the return trip at 4 pm. Journey time around 2.5 hours. Return fare around 35 Euros. This ferry does not carry vehicles.

The ferry is very small, and the crossing can get rough when the waves are up. Best avoided on windy days, but otherwise a pleasant crossing. 5 hours on Patmos gives you just about time to see Skala and Hora. The monasteries close at 1.30 pm!

Patmos is a small island, only 12 km long from north to south, and 10 km from east to west at its widest point. Its landscape consists of a series of low, rounded hills, the highest being Profitis Ilias which is only 269 metres high. However, some of the hills are quite steep, making walking and cycling strenuous, especially during the hot summer months when temperatures can reach over 40 degrees centigrade.

As ever in Greece, buses are the chepest and most convenient way to travel around. There are bus services connecting the main settlements and tourist attractions of Patmos, although some are not very frequent, even in summer.

Buses to/from Skala ferry port

Hora 7 per day (for the Monastery of Saint John, via the Cave of the Apocalypse)

Groikos 3 per day (via the Cave of the Apocalypse)

Patmos bus times

Skala to Hora
AM: 7.40, 9.15, 11.30
PM: 12.30, 1.30, 3.30, 4.30, 5.30,
7.30, 8.40, 9.30

Skala to Groikos
AM: 9.15
PM: 12.30, 1.30, 3.30, 4.30, 5.30, 9.30

Skala to Kambos
AM: 8.15, 10.30
PM: 2.15, 6.30

Hora to Skala
AM: 8.00, 10.00, 12.00
PM: 1.00, 1.45, 3.45, 5.00, 5.45,
8.05, 9.00, 9.45

Hora to Groikos
AM: 9.30
PM: 1.45, 3.45, 5.45, 7.40, 9.45

Groikos to Hora
AM: 9.45
PM: 12.45, 4.45, 7.50

Taxi

If you are in a hurry or have a lot of luggage, taxis can save you a lot of time and hassle. Taxis in Greece are relatively cheap, especially when the fare is shared between 3-4 people.

There are few taxis on Patmos and they are in great demand in the summer.

Car, motorbike

The larger ferries from Piraeus and Rhodes take motor vehicles.

Walking and cycling

Walking and cycling on Patmos can be a joy, especially as the views of the landscape and the surrounding sea are so beautiful. Distances are short, but the going is often steep and rugged, and can be pretty stenuous in summer. Take plenty of water with you.

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