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Lesvos: Ferries and Planes

Sailing to Lesvos

The best way to get to Lesvos is by ferry boat. There are daily ships leaving Pireaus in the evening and arrives in Mytilini early the next morning. There is also the brand new Nissos Chios that leaves around noon and takes only 8 hours to Lesvos.

The recommended boats are the Mytilini and the Nissos Chios which have bars, restaurants, lounges though the Mytilini is getting on in years.  First class cabins are about 100 eu per person for a double and many contain tv's if the prospect of a long ferry ride seems boring. Generally it's a relaxing and enjoyable trip and sailing along the coast of Lesvos and into Mytilini harbor at dawn is an experience you will always remember. It is especially exciting for kids. If you are arriving from the USA by plane its a great way to unwind and the fact that the boats generally leave in the evening make them catchable. The ferry Nissos Chios began service in 2008 and only takes about 8 hours to get to Lesvos and stops 3 times a week in Mykonos and 5 times a week in Syros. In my opinion this is the best ferry in Greece with comfortable and clean cabins, air-conditioning that actually works, decent food in the self-service cafeteria and the restaurant, and large spacious and comfortable lounges.

The ferries also stop in the port of Chios for an hour or so. Most people miss it because it is 4 am and they are sleeping, but on the return trip to Athens you can get off and walk around the town since you get there around 9pm. Just be sure not to miss the boat. Even better yet, ignore the calls on the ferry public address sysetm prompting you to have dinner in the self-service or ala-carte restaurants and when you get to Chios get off the boat, cross the street and walk about half a block to your right to the ouzeri Tsibaeri, right on the waterfront, get yourself a table and order a bottle of the local ouzo, Kakitsi, their sunfish or liasta which is sundried mackeral which is then grilled, the smoked skoumbri (another kind of mackeral), marinated octopus, fava (mashed green split-peas) and their tomato-balls, and tell the owner, whose name is Stavros, that you are on the ferry and need to eat quickly. Pay when you get your last dish so you don't miss the boat. You can keep your eyes on the line of tractor-trailor trucks across the street and when there are only a couple left you should make a move towards the boat. (You should also ask one of the ship's officers what time the boat is leaving as you get off and keep your eye on your watch). Anyway when you return to the ship you will have eaten in one of the best restaurants in Chios. Tell them I sent you because the last time I did this (5 minutes ago-I am writing this on the ferry) Stavros, did not remember me.

In the summer there is a boat from Lavrion to Sigri that takes about 8 hours, leaving Friday at 9pm and arriving around 5am. Its return trip leaves Sigri at 1am on Monday morning and gets to Lavrion at 8:30, just in time for me to miss the boat to Kea.

There is at least two boats a day leaving Pireaus for Chios and Mytilini , sometimes more.
Several days a week the ferry continues on to Lemnos , Kavala and Thessaloniki .

In the  summer there is a Blue-Star ferry that connects Lesvos with the Dodekanese islands and Samos and goes all the way to Thessaloniki.

There are also boats that originate in Rhodes that come to Mytilini  but you will have to ask a local travel agent on one of the two islands when it goes. It stops at most of the islands between Rhodes and Lesvos .

There are daily boats in the summer and several boats a week in the off-season between Mytilini and Avalik in Turkey . The schedule seems to change by the year, month, week or whatever. That means you need to contact one of the agencies in Lesvos and ask them if you want to get from Turkey to Lesvos.

For ferry information contact see Travel Agents or you can see the weekly ferry schedules at www.athensguide.com/greek-island-ferry-schedules keeping in mind they change every week. The best thing to do is book your hotels with one of the travel agencies and they can figure out the ferries and get your tickets for you.

Flying to Lesvos

There is a modern jet port with at least 4 daily flights to and from Athens. There are also daily flights from Thessaloniki and other points in Europe and Scnadinavia. The cost is around $60 each way. Mytilini airport is unique in that you can take a swim while you are waiting for your plane since it is right across the street from the beach. There are also some really nice seaside fish tavernas right down the street. Hahathakis Travel in Lesvos books direct flights from Europe to Mytilini!

For bookings to and from Athens see Travel Agents

For flights to Lesvos from the USA visit www.greeceflights.com

For flights to Lesvos from Europe or Athens see www.greecetravel.com/tickets or go to the page for Travel Agents

From the Port or Airport of Mytilini

Most people who book their trip to Eressos through an agency arrange to have a taxi transfer. Skala Eressos is almost two hours away from the airport or Mytilini town. Molyvos is about an hour. Vatera is under an hour and Plomari around half an hour. It is a beautiful trip and in a way even if you have rented a car it makes sense to take the taxi and get your car delivered to your hotel so you can enjoy the scenary, especially if you are getting off a long flight. You can contact any of the Lesvos Travel agencies about taxi transfers. If you are using an Athens agency they may not be as able to help you with this.

Rental cars can be delivered to the airport or the port. There is a bus terminal in Mytilini right by the small park on the waterfront (next to the government building and the theater). Backpackers can easily get from the ferry to the bus station. From the airport you have to take a taxi or the local bus. Buses all over the island are pretty frequent.

Getting from Venizelos International Airport in Athens to the Port of Pireaus or Back

If you arrive from abroad and you need to get to Pireaus to catch the ferry to Lesvos I recommend George the Famous Taxi Driver whose transfer rates are cheaper than the travel agencies. Plus if you have some time to spare, as some of you will, you can do a little tour of the city. For your return to Athens from Lesvos I also recommend using him to get to your hotel or the airport. When the ferries arrive in Pireaus there are usually just 3 or 4 taxis waiting for several hundred disembarking passengers. You will be very relieved to see a guy holding up a sign with your name on it. See his website at www.greecetravel.com/taxi

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