Leros is a remote island of the Dodecanese, very close to Kalymnos. You can reach Leros by ferry (9 hours) from Athens or fly there.
In Leros, you can enjoy laid-back holidays and swim at its amazing beaches. Leros is known as a quiet Greek island with wild beauty, untouched nature, and quaint little villages. Leros has a long history and tradition, and you can learn about it in the Leros War Museum or by visiting the actual sites, such as the chapel of Virgin Kavouradaina in Xirokampos.
Here’s all you need to know about how to get to Leros and how to move around the island:
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The Best Ways to Get to Leros Island
Fly to Leros from Athens
The airport of Leros is a quite small one and only services domestic flights to and from Athens. You can find about 8 flights weekly, but that depends on the season, availability, and weather.
The flight from ATH International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos to Leros Airport (LRS) takes about an hour and this route is serviced by Aegean Airlines and Olympic Air. Prices may start as low as 20 Euros for a single ticket if you book well in advance and find an offer. However, prices always depend on availability and seasonality.
Hop on a ferry from Athens to Leros
You can hop on a ferry from the port of Piraeus in Athens to Leros Island. The island is 160 nautical miles away from Athens so it takes anywhere from 8.5 to 10.5 hours to get there by sea.
You can find schedules four times per week. Schedules may become more frequent during the high season, but generally speaking, most fairies depart from Athens in the evening.
The main company that services this route is Blue Star Ferries. Ticket prices start from 30 Euros and can go as high as 116.50 Euros. This of course depends on season, availability, type of vessel, and whether you choose to buy a ticket for your vehicle. The earliest ferry departs from Piraeus at 15:00 and the latest at 23:55.
Click here for the ferry schedule and to book your tickets directly.
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Private Transfer from ATH airport to the port
The ATH International Airport is approximately 43 km away from the Port of Piraeus. The most convenient option is to take a private transfer to the port and arrive in time if you are arriving in Athens by air to book your private transfer. Your most trustworthy option is to book your private transfer via Welcome Pickups.
Their airport pick-up services include English-speaking drivers, a flat fee equivalent to a taxi but pre-paid, as well as flight monitoring to arrive on time and avoid delays.
In addition, this option is Covid-FREE, as they provide contactless payments & services, frequent airing and disinfection, and all the required safety measures by the book!
Find more information here and book your private transfer.
Fly to Kos, Rhodes, or Samos and take a ferry or catamaran to Leros
From Kos
If you want to avoid a long ferry trip, you have other alternatives. A good option would be to fly to Kos from Athens and take the ferry or the catamaran to Leros.
The flight from ATH International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos to Kos Airport takes about an hour and 5 minutes and it is serviced by Aegean Airlines, Olympic Air, and Sky Express.
After you reach Kos, you can find ferry connections to Leros. The islands are separated by 25.77 miles. You can find ferry routes from Kos mainly from the port of Mastichari to the port of Agia Marina in Leros.
The ferry companies operating the line are SAOS Anes, Blue Star Ferries, and Dodekanisos Seaways. During high season, the crossings are more frequent. According to the ferry type, it can take 1 hour and 25 minutes to 2 and a half hours to get there.
Click here for the ferry schedule and to book your tickets directly.
From Rhodes
You can do the same by flying to the island of Rhodes in the Dodecanese. It is a big island with a good-organized airport (RHO) that receives flights from Athens frequently all year round. The flight lasts about an hour and it is serviced by Sky Express, Aegean, and Olympic Air. The cheapest flights to Rhodes start at 44 Euros.
After you reach Rhodes Island, you can get to Leros easily by taking the ferry. The two islands are separated by 78 nautical miles.
You will find many crossings and mostly two ferry companies operating this line. The companies are Blue Star Ferries and Dodekanisos Seaways, with 4 and 6 weekly crossings respectively. It can take from 3 hours and 55 minutes to 5 hours and 15 minutes to get there.
There are other options such as Zas Ferries as well. The average single ticket is 31.50 Euros and with a vehicle, it can go up to 97 Euros.
Click here for the ferry schedule and to book your tickets directly.
From Samos
Yet another indirect option to get to Leros is by flying to Samos Island. Samos has an airport (SMI) that receives flights on a weekly basis. The flight lasts from 55 minutes to 1 hour. You can find tickets for Samos by Sky Express, Olympic Air, and Aegean Airlines. Prices can start as low as 44 Euros but you might want to book well in advance.
To get to Leros, hop on a ferry from Pythagorio port in Samos to Agia Marian port in Leros. The ferry trip lasts about 4 hours and 20 minutes as the islands are separated by 36 miles. The companies operating this line are Saos Anes (2 weekly crossings), Blue Star Ferries (1 weekly crossing), Dodekanisos Seaways, and ANE Kalymnos (4 weekly crossings each.) Depending on the vessel type and company, it might cost up to 41 Euros for a single ticket to get to Leros from Samos.
Click here for the ferry schedule and to book your tickets directly.
How to get around Leros
Rent a car or a motorcycle
The island has a fairly good road network and you can explore it by renting a vehicle such as a car or a motorbike. This option will allow you to see when the remotest parts of the island.
You can book your vehicle online or simply consult the local travel agencies once you get to the island.
I recommend booking a car through Discover Cars where you can compare all rental car agencies’ prices, and you can cancel or modify your booking for free. They also guarantee the best price. Click here for more information and to check the latest prices.
Take the public bus
You can also choose the cheapest option, hoping on the intercity buses of Leros, known as KTEL. You will find regular buses connecting the capital and various villages in Leros, as well as some beaches. Find further information here or by calling +306970310804.
Book a taxi
You can also grab a taxi on the island to get to locations. You will find taxis in central spots in the capital and the port, but you can also call +306932513643 or +306974316421 to book your private transfer.
Useful Information for Leros
Here’s a list of the most important phones you might need if you are visiting Leros Island.
- Leros Health Center: +302247023251
- Leros Port Authority: +302247022224
- Leros Police: +302247022222
FAQ About your Trip to Leros
Some of the most beautiful beaches to visit in Leros include Dyo Liskaria, Blefoutis, Panteli, Aghia Kioura, Merkies, Alinda, Vromolithos, Gourna Beach, and others.
Yes! Leros is located perfectly for such a trip. It’s very close to Kalymnos and there are frequent connections. You can also find ferry crossings to Kos, Lipsi, Samos, Karpathos, Ikaria, Fournoi, Rhodes, Symi, and more