Travel Note
While Ios does not have its own airport, it’s easily accessible by ferry from nearby islands. Option 1: Fly into Athens - The most common route is to fly into Athens International Airport (ATH) and then take a ferry from the Port of Piraeus to Ios. Fast ferries typically take about 4 hours and offer a scenic journey through the Aegean Sea. Option 2: Fly into Santorini - Another great option is to fly into Santorini (JTR) and take a ferry to Ios. This is the quickest route, with fast ferries taking about 45 minutes between the two islands. Getting to Your Hotel: Once you arrive at the Ios port, many hotels offer transportation to their property. Be sure to arrange this directly with your hotel prior to your arrival. If you prefer to explore the island on your own schedule, car and ATV rentals are also available directly at the port. We recommend booking flights and ferries early, especially during the busy summer season. Safe travels—we can’t wait to celebrate with you in Greece! 🇬🇷✨
Travel Note
Taking the ferry is a beautiful and very common way to travel between the Greek islands. The ride itself is part of the experience, with incredible views of the Aegean Sea along the way. Booking Ferry Tickets: We recommend booking your ferry tickets in advance, especially during the busy summer season when ferries can fill up quickly. A good site to search schedules and purchase tickets is: https://www.ferryhopper.com (you should download the App as well). From Athens, ferries depart from Piraeus Port and the fast ferry ride to Ios takes about 4 hours. From Santorini, the fast ferry ride is about 45 minutes. Important Things to Know: - Ferries often make multiple stops at different islands, so be sure to pay attention to announcements and your stop so you don’t miss getting off at Ios. - The boarding and unloading process can be quick, so it’s best to be ready with your luggage when the ferry approaches the port. And when boarding they will leave you be sure to get there early. - Summer ferries can be busy and lively, so arriving at the port 45 minutes before departure is recommended. Particularly for the larger ports, like in Athens, arrive very early to find the dock for your particular ferry. - Seating varies depending on the ferry—some offer airline-style seats indoors, which are assigned, while others have outdoor deck space to enjoy the views. Traveling by ferry is a fun part of the Greek island experience, and the ride between islands is truly beautiful. Just relax, enjoy the scenery, and before you know it you’ll be arriving in Ios! 🇬🇷🌊
Travel Note
Around Ios you can walk a lot of places depending on where you book your hotel, but please note a lot of it is uphill, and can be a lot of stone steps. There are also public buses (KTEL) that take you around the island. This is the cheapest and easiest way to get around (Matthew & Sav's recommended way). It is about 2 Euro per ride/per person for anywhere on the route from the Port, Chora, and Mylopotas Beach. There are a lot of stops along this route, and some buses that go to further destinations. The bus runs regularly through the busy season. Your hotel can also direct you to the closest bus stop. KTEL website: https://ktel-ios.gr/timetable/ You can also rent a car or rent ATV's to get around the island explore some of the more isolated beaches and places. (Please see the "Things To Do" tab for info on the car's and ATV's.) There are car services available to book if you would like: https://ios-transfer.com/en/ or https://www.ioselitetransfers.gr
Travel Note
Athens is extremely easy to get around with their Public Transit! You can take the train from the airport to the city and all the way to the Port of Piraeus.
Travel Note
Chora (Main Town): The heart of the action packed with bars, cafes, and white washed alleys that turn into a very lively party scene at night. The grocery store is here as well. We would recommend not booking a hotel in the Chora but to stay other locations. Mylopotas Beach: The busiest beach with water-sports, beach clubs (like Far Out Beach Club), restaurants, and multiple spots to rent beach chairs. The Port: The port is where the ferries arrive, there are multiple hotels, and cafes, as well as a smaller beach, Gialos. This area is a bit quieter at night than the Chora is.
Travel Note
There are 1 million hotels at all price points available around the island! Feel free to look around and choose what looks best to you, but we have a few recommendations below based on where you want to stay! Matthew & Savannah's Favorite Hotel: - Liostasi Hotel: a bit on the expensive side but an amazing option with two beautiful pools, and a great breakfast offered each morning. Located between the Port and the Chora, and 1 minute from a bus stop. https://www.liostasi.com Hotels by the Port: - Aceton Hotel (https://www.acteonhotel.gr) - Yialos Hotel (https://www.yialosioshotel.gr) Hotels by Mylopotas Beach: - Dionysos Sea Side Resort (http://www.dionysos-ios.gr/) - Hideout Suites (https://www.hideoutsuites.gr) Other options - Extremely close to the Venue and the Chora! Ios Art Suites - https://www.iosartsuites.com/ Lofos Village - http://www.lofosvillage.com/index.php?langid=2