Overall3.9/10Harder to reach than about 70% of cities
Good to know
Good to Know
- Kalymnos airport only receives domestic flights; no international service. Most international travelers fly into Athens or Kos, then connect to Kalymnos by plane or ferry.
- Kos-to-Kalymnos ferry is the most reliable and frequent route, operating year-round with 5-8+ daily crossings in summer. Service is rarely disrupted.
- Ferry schedules change frequently and seasonally—check 1 month in advance for Piraeus service, 1-2 days ahead for inter-island ferries.
- Kos Mastichari port (not Kos Town) is the preferred ferry departure point if arriving at Kos International Airport (only 7 km away).
- Athens-Piraeus ferry service is overnight and time-consuming (8.5-12 hours), but allows you to bring vehicles.
- Summer high season (April-September) has more frequent ferry connections; winter service is reduced but functional.
- No direct bus connection from airport to port; taxi or seasonal bus required.
- Wind can disrupt Kalymnos airport flights due to its mountainside location; flexible travelers may prefer flying into Kos instead.
- Ferry tickets from Kos (€8) are significantly cheaper than airport taxis to Pothia; consider ferry over ground transfer from Mastichari.
Airports
Kalymnos Airport
- Name
- Kalymnos National Airport (JKL)
- Type
- Domestic airport
- Location
- Southwestern part of island, ~5-7 km from Pothia
- Airlines Operating
- Sky Express (primary carrier)
Flights Available
Athens to Kalymnos
- Frequency
- Few times per week
- Duration Minutes
- 60
- Notes
- Direct domestic flights; may be cancelled on very windy days due to airport location on mountain
Kos to Kalymnos
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Notes
- Less common than ferries
Leros to Kalymnos
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Notes
- Less common than ferries
Ground Transport From Airport
Bus
- Routes
- Connects to Pothia, Myrties, Massouri, Emporios, Vathy
- Frequency
- Seasonal (summer high season only)
- Cost Approximate
- €3.00
- Notes
- Bus stop ~50m left of arrivals hall; check schedule seasonally
Taxi
- Cost
- €18
- Duration To Pothia Minutes
- 10-15
- Notes
- Available at terminal exit; rank outside arrivals
Car Rental
- Available
- Yes
- Notes
- Desks near airport; book in advance during peak season
Alternative Nearest Airport
- Name
- Kos International Airport (Hippocrates)
- Location
- Nearby island of Kos
- Distance To Kalymnos
- ~15-20 km to Mastichari port
- Notes
- Larger airport receiving international and charter flights; many travelers prefer flying here then taking ferry to Kalymnos
Day Trip Access
Nearby Islands
Kos
- Ferry Duration Minutes
- 30-45
- Description
- Main tourist hub with beaches, ruins, nightlife
Telendos
- Departure From
- Myrties port
- Ferry Duration Minutes
- 10-15
- Description
- Small islet accessible via daily excursion boats
Rhodes
- Ferry Duration Hours
- 3
- Notes
- Catamaran connection
Leros, Patmos, Astypalea
- Notes
- Regular ferry connections available
Ferry Connections
- Main Port
- Pothia (main harbor on southeastern coast)
- Secondary Port
- Myrties (8 km west; mainly for day trips to Telendos)
From Kos
- Operators
- ANEM Ferries, ANEK Ferries, Lafasi Ferries
- Reliability
- Year-round service; rarely disrupted except severe weather
- Vessel Types
- Fast ferries (Dodekanisos Seaways) and conventional ferries (can transport cars/motorbikes)
- Departure Ports
- Mastichari (7 km from Kos airport, preferred for ferry) and Kos Town (main port)
- Frequency Per Day
- 5-8 daily (April-October); fewer in winter
- Ticket Cost Foot Passenger
- €8.00
- Duration Fast Ferry Minutes
- 30-45
- Duration Slow Ferry Minutes
- 45-60
From Rhodes
- Frequency
- 1-2 daily (high season); winter ferries on Rhodes-Piraeus line
- Operators
- Various ferries and catamarans
- Duration Ferry Hours
- Varies with winter service
- Duration Catamaran Hours
- 3
- Seasonal Note
- Daily catamarans spring/summer; winter service less frequent
Ticket Cost Range
- Amount USD Max
- 54
- Amount USD Min
- 21
- Currency Local
- EUR
- Amount Local Max
- 47.5
- Amount Local Min
- 18.5
From Turkey
- Route
- Direct to Kalymnos or via Kos
- Origin
- Bodrum Airport / Turkish Aegean coast
- Frequency
- Most months of year; frequent summer routes
- Notes
- Passengers can also fly Bodrum-Kos then ferry to Kalymnos
From Athens Piraeus
- Frequency
- 5 times per week (high season); 2-3 times per week (low season)
- Operators
- Blue Star Ferries (primary), Dodekanisos Seaways
- Cabin Options
- Yes
- Booking Advice
- Book ahead April-September; check schedules 1 month in advance
- Travel time
- 8.5-12 hours (overnight)
- Vehicle Transport
- Yes
- Ticket Cost Foot Passenger
- €50
From Other Dodecanese
- Frequency
- Multiple weekly connections (summer); reduced winter
- Operators
- Dodekanisos Seaways, other regional operators
- Islands Connected
- Leros, Patmos, Astypalea, Nisyros, Lipsi, Symi, Tilos
Ground Transport On Island
Taxis
- Contact
- +30 22430 50300 (Taxi Center)
- Availability
- Available at port and throughout island
- Notes
- Only direct option from airport to main town
Cost Examples
- Airport To Pothia
- €18
- Pothia To Masouri
- €18
Car Rental
- Advice
- Book in advance during peak season (July-August)
- Available
- Yes, various rental companies at port
Public Buses
- Routes
- Pothia to Myrties, Massouri, Emporios, Vathy, Elies, Kantouni, Argos, Vlychadia
- Contact
- +30 22430 51760 (Municipal Transportation)
- Operator
- KTEL (municipal transportation)
- Frequency
- 1-7 routes per day depending on destination
- Limitations
- No direct route airport-to-airport; occasional service disruptions reported
- Central Terminal
- Port exit, opposite Municipal Tourist Office
- Ticket Cost Approximate
- €2.00
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
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More About Kalymnos
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.