Kythnos island is one of the easiest to reach from Athens, by taking a ferry from either Piraeus or Lavrio ports, with services running daily.
This article is updated with 2024 routes to Kythnos.
The trip from Piraeus, covering about 52 nautical miles, takes around three hours on modern vessels. If you're departing from Lavrio port, it's a shorter trip of roughly 25 nautical miles, taking less than two hours.
There are connections available from Kythnos to most of the other islands in the Cyclades throughout the year. Kythnos lacks an airport, with the only option for air travel being helicopter. The island's heliport is conveniently located near the town center and is mainly used by private helicopter charter services transporting wealthy visitors or for emergency medical airlifts to the Syros hospital or to facilities in Athens. For those who prefer to use their own boats, the island offers numerous anchorage points and two marinas.
How to access Piraeus Port
There are three choices for transportation from Athens Airport to the Piraeus port: the public bus, the metro, or traditional taxis. Opting for a taxi from Athens Airport is the quickest and most convenient method, but it can cost between 40-70€ depending on the hour of the day. A more budget-friendly alternative is the bus, which costs just 6€, though it may take over an hour to make the journey (line X96). Another option is the metro, which charges 10€ for a single trip and typically takes around 85 minutes to arrive at the Piraeus port.
You can also use your Uber App to call a taxi (called UberTaxi in Athens) and go to Piraeus Port using your favourite service.
Piraeus port authority: +30 210 4147800, 1441, +30 210 4511310-17, +30 210 4593000
Kythnos port station: +30 22810 32290
You may find all the info regarding the Public Transport in Athens towards all destinations here.
In order to book your boat ticket to Kythnos from the Piraeus Port, you may choose one of the following services:
How to access Lavrio Port
Lavrio Port is 25 Km from the airport Eleftherios Venizelos and 60 Km from the center of Athens. You can grab a taxi or an Uber, or you can use the public bus. You can also use the KTEL N. Attica bus line for Lavrio with a transfer at Markopoulo. The line departs from the Arrivals Level, between Exits 2 and 3, opposite the airport hotel (Sofitel).
You may see more information on Athens Public Transport here regarding reaching Lavrio.
To book your boat ticket, you may choose one of the following services:
Transportation on the island of Kythnos
The island is not very big, but still, using your own transportation will offer you the freedom to move when and how you want and discover places that public transportation does not reach.
At the Port but also at Loutra, there are many private companies for renting a car. The roads on the island are the ones that public transportation follows, and recently there was another one added that connects Chora and Dryopida, the 2 largest settlements on the island.
On the island there are 2 bus lines. The one goes from Merichas Port, passes from Chora and finishes at Loutra. The other line, goes from Merichas Port, to Dryopida and finishes at Panagia Kanala. There are a lot of taxis on the island if you want to use them.
Kythnos connections to other islands
Daily, Kythnos is connected to Serifos, Sifnos, Kimolos and Milos with boats & ferries. Twice per week, there are also boats that can take you to Santorini, Folegandro and Sikino. You may check the services provided above, for their updated schedules and prices.
All in all, Kythnos is one of the easiest islands to reach from Athens, which can offer you a wonderful experience just a stone's throw away from the city. We'll be delighted to welcome you, let you taste Kythnos' food, enjoy pristine beaches, and its thermal baths. Have a great trip!
