The reality is it’s not very easy to get to Alonnisos because there is no airport on the island. While this makes it more challenging to reach the island, it also tends to limit major tour operators’ ability to bring large groups of tourists to the island at one time. That means Alonnisos doesn’t attract anywhere near the same volume of visitors as the neighboring island of Skiathos, which actually has an airport that can accommodate Boeing 737 aircraft with 200 or more passengers per plane. This of course translates into greater opportunities for experiencing more peaceful and enjoyable holidays.
Flying to Skiathos from Athens
When you fly into Athens, there are flights available from there to Skiathos. In past years there haven’t been a lot of them, but just check one of the major travel websites (e.g., Expedia, Travelocity, etc.) to learn about specific dates and times of departures. Overall, I highly recommend booking reservations as early as the airlines will allow, as these flights tend to fill up quite rapidly since the planes used tend to be quite small.
Making a Boat Reservation from Skiathos to Alonnisos
If you do intend to reach Alonnisos by boat from Skiathos, then prior to your trip you need to reserve and pay for boat tickets in advance. The Ferryscanner.com website is easy to navigate, just enter the departure point and dates you wish to travel, then follow the prompts. Historically, during the summer there typically has been four departures per day from Skiathos to Alonnisos.
As of the summer of 2019, the old Hellenic Seaways (Flying Cats, Skiathos Express Ferry) no longer exists as it’s now part of Blue Star Ferries. When you book with Blue Star it’s best to stop by the office of the Blue Star Ferries’ representative in Skiathos (called “Skiathos O.E.“) with your confirmation and they will print you actual tickets. They also may ask you for a passport for identification. The office is located directly across from where the boats arrive and depart. When you have your ticket(s), if the boat is leaving shortly I recommend you promptly proceed to the boarding area which is across the street from the travel agency.
Please note that a company called Aegean Flying Dolphins also operates older boats called Flying Dolphins that are smaller, and somewhat less comfortable than the Flying Cats. They are however, a bit faster than the Cats, and the price of the tickets is somewhat less. Note that if you have any concerns about rocky seas you may want to limit yourself to only booking a berth on the Flying Cat. I recommend using the Ferryscanner.com site to learn what other boat options exist.
Getting to the Port from the Skiathos Airport
On your day of departure the flight from Athens to Skiathos will take approximately 40 – 50 minutes. After arrival and baggage pickup, proceed to the taxi line and request a ride to the port in Skiathos town (about a five minute ride), and specifically ask to be dropped off near the port agent you need to see to pick up the tickets (i.e., the one for Hellenic Seaways or the one for the Aegean Flying Dolphin). Be aware that if your travel party is just 1 or 2 people, the taxi driver will be quite insistent about taking along another 1, 2, or 3 passengers. You essentially have no choice in the matter unless you want to pay the driver double fare. It’s just one of the many novel quirks about traveling in the Greek islands!
If you have some time to wait for your boat departure (45 minutes or more), there are numerous cafes and bars on the waterfront with outdoor seating that provide Wi Fi access if you need to check email. When it comes to the boat departure, whatever you do, be certain to be ready and waiting for the boat at least 10 minutes in advance of its scheduled arrival time because Greek boat captains are not known for their patience with dawdling passengers. Once they pull up the gangplank they typically will not put it back out there for you if you happen to arrive just as they are leaving.
Staying in Skiathos
If, based on your travel schedule your arrival in Skiathos is too late to connect with a Hellenic Seaways Flying Cat, and Aegean Flying Dolphin, or a ferry to Alonnisos, you will obviously need to book hotel for that evening. To assist you in this regard here’s a link to a property I recommend called the Hotel Stellina, and a link to another recommended property called Fresh Rooms.
To contact me via email with any questions regarding this post click here.
