Travelling To Samos

Samos is located in the Aegean Sea, just off the coast of west Turkey, and 170 miles from the Greek capital, Athens. The island is accessible by air and sea, and transport on the island is mostly by bus. Visitors can easily get around the different towns and villages on foot, but renting a car is also a popular option.

By car

It is possible to island hop by car ferry to Samos from the Piraeus on the Greek mainland via Syros, Mykonos, Agois Kirykos and Fourni. The trip takes 13 hours.

The roads on Samos, although not very old, do not live up to northern European standard. The asphalt is often not of the best quality, making for a soap-like surface in summertime. Every winter leaves its marks on the roads, so beware of bigger holes in the streets each time you return to the island! Motorbike riders in particular should be aware that the road surfaces often consist of small stones.

By bus

There is good public bus service on Samos throughout the year, with significantly expanded summer schedules. The Vathi bus terminal is a block inland from the south end of the port at Kanari. The bus makes the 20-minute trip between Vathi and Pithagorio frequently. Buses also travel to Kokkari, the inland village of Mitilini, Pirgos, Marathokambos, Votsalakia Beach and Karlovassi. Schedules are posted in English at the bus terminal.

By air

Samos Airport is located on the island's southeast coast, about three miles west of Pythagorio. It is served by frequent charter flights to many European destinations. Regular and charter flights are available from London Heathrow and London Gatwick. Flying time is 3 hours 30 minutes.

There are several daily domestic flights to Athens as well as flights to Santorini, Mykonos and Thessaloniki.

Facilities at Samos Airport are very limited. The airport has no banking or currency exchange services, neither is there a post office nor a first-aid station. However, there is an Hellenic duty-free shop plus two luncheonettes offering light refreshments. Several travel agencies and tour operators have booths at the airport to assist arriving passengers with further travel plans. No bus service is available from the airport, but taxis are plentiful.

By ferry

The island of Samos is linked by ferry with all the northeastern Aegean Islands, the Cyclades and the Dodecanese.

Three daily ferries go to the island of Ikaria (2 hours 30 minutes) and one to the small island of Fourni (2 hours). Three weekly ferries sail to Chios (4 hours), one weekly service to Lesvos (7 hours), Limnos (11 hours), Alexandroupolis (20 hours) and Kavala (20 hours). Two daily ferries sail to the harbour at the Piraeus (13 hours).

Daily ferries call at Naxos (6 hours 30 minutes), Paros (6 hours), Mykonos, Ios, Santorini and Syros. Five weekly ferries link Samos to Patmos (2 hours 30 minutes) and one weekly service to Leros (3 hours 30 minutes), Kalymnos (4 hours), Kos (5 hours 30 minutes) and Rhodes (9 hours).

In summer, two daily ferries link the island of Samos with Kushadasi (near Ephesus) in Turkey. Tickets can be bought from various travel agencies. A passport is obligatory and visas can be bought on arrival in Turkey.

By hydrofoil

In summer, two daily hydrofoils link the port of Pythagorio with Patmos (1 hour), Leros (2 hour) and Kos (3 hours 30 minutes).

Two weekly hydrofoils leave from Samos Town for the islands of Fourni (1 hour 45 minutes) and Ikaria (about 2 hours).

Taxis

Taxis carry the sign Taxi on their roof. You can catch a taxi from anywhere in the city, although there is a taxi rank in the main square in Samos Town. All taxis have meters. A call out charge is levied when calling a taxi to collect you from a specific location.