Samos · Getting there
Samos is close to Turkey and has three ports, so it's a natural gateway to the eastern Aegean. Fly in direct in summer or via Athens, then take a boat to Ikaria, Patmos or Kuşadası.
By plane
3 km west of Pythagorion
Flights from Athens and Thessaloniki all year, and direct flights from parts of Europe in summer.
Into town: A taxi takes about 10 minutes to Pythagorion and 20 to Vathy or Kokkari. Buses are infrequent.
By ferry
Ferries from Piraeus, the port of Athens, about 40 minutes from the city centre by metro.
Piraeus (Athens) Vathy or Karlovasi
Via Syros, Mykonos and Ikaria. Karlovasi is closest to the west and Potami.
Island hopping
Karlovasi or Vathy Ikaria
Pythagorion Patmos & the Dodecanese
High-speed boats that go on to Leros, Kalymnos and Kos.
Karlovasi Fourni
Vathy Kuşadası (Turkey)
For Ephesus. Bring your passport and check visa rules.
When you land
Hire a car
The mountain villages of Manolates and Vourliotes and the west-coast beaches are hard to reach by bus.
Three ports
Vathy is in the north-east, Karlovasi in the north-west and Pythagorion in the south. Check which one your boat uses.
Leave a spare day
Summer winds can delay ferries, so don't book a boat on the same day as an international flight.
Times and frequencies are typical for the summer season and change every year. Check the current timetable before you book.
Rooms with a view, picked for how they feel, not for star ratings.
See where to stay