Greece

How to get from Kos to Kalymnos

Compare all transport options: bus, ferry, train, flight. Prices, durations and practical tips.

⏱
FASTEST
0h 45min
💶
From
6€
📍
Distance
28 km
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⚡ Quick answer

Checked offer from Kos to Kalymnos: Ferry, about 0h 45min, from €6. Main companies selling this route on 12Go (checked on November 4, 2026): Anem Ferries, Blue Star Ferries; main departure point: Mastichari Kos Port.

Distance: 28 km. Data updated on .

One option to get from Kos to Kalymnos

Select an option below to see the route details and compare prices. Secure booking via our partner 12go.asia.

Ferry
0h 45min
6 – 8 €
View
🚌 Departure from Kos
📍Ferries generally depart from the main port of Kos Town, next to the medieval castle on the waterfront. Ticket offices and cafés are close by. Check your confirmation for the exact quay, as it can vary by operator and season.
🚇Kos Town is compact, so the port is easy to reach on foot from most central hotels. From the airport, a bus or taxi takes you into town, and taxis can drop you right at the harbour with your luggage.
⏰Departure frequency depends on the season, with more sailings in summer and fewer in winter. Always check the timetable for your exact travel date, as not every day has the same schedule.
💸 Transport from 6€ per person
⚡ Fastest: 0h 45min
🗓 Book now Secure payment · via 12go.asia

Companies selling this route on 12Go

Offers listed on 12Go on November 4, 2026 for a departure on November 25, 2026. Timetables and prices change with the date: check them before booking.

CompanyModeDeparts fromFromOffers
Blue Star Ferries Ferry Kos Port €6 2
Anem Ferries Ferry Mastichari Kos Port €8 4
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Practical tips

💡
Book early in high season

Summer sailings between the Dodecanese islands fill up, especially around weekends and holidays. Reserve your ticket online as soon as your dates are fixed, so you are not left searching for a seat on the day.

💡
Check the departure port on your ticket

Some islands have more than one harbour, and mixing them up is an easy mistake, just like confusing Athens ports. Read the departure port on your confirmation before heading out, and ask at the ticket office if unsure.

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Verify the timetable for your exact date

Greek ferry schedules change with the season, and not every link runs daily outside summer. Check the sailing for your specific day rather than relying on last year's times, and recheck a few days before departure.

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Allow a buffer for onward connections

Wind can delay or cancel Aegean sailings. If you have a flight or a long-distance ferry afterwards, leave generous spare time or plan to travel the day before, so a disruption does not strand you.

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Arrive at the port in good time

Pick up your ticket if needed, find the right quay and board without rushing. Boarding is usually informal, but luggage and queues can slow you down in summer, so allow extra time before the scheduled departure.

The journey experience

Hopping from Kos to Kalymnos is one of the simplest island links in the Dodecanese. The ferry is the transport option here, and the crossing is short enough to fit into a morning or an afternoon without rearranging your plans. The comparison table on this page shows the figures at a glance, so you can see right away that this is a quick and inexpensive hop.

On board you get a typical Aegean passenger ferry experience: indoor seating, an open deck for views of the coastline, and room for backpacks and suitcases. Sailings are run by Greek ferry companies serving the Dodecanese, and the exact operator and vessel can change from one day or season to the next. It suits independent travellers well, since you do not need a car on either island and you can walk on with your luggage.

Greek timetables shift with the season, and some island links run fewer days a week outside summer, so check the departure day before you lock in onward plans. Confirm the departure port on your ticket, book ahead in high season, and keep a comfortable margin if you have a flight or another ferry the same day. Wind can affect sailings in the Aegean, so a flexible buffer protects your itinerary and keeps the trip stress-free.

Frequently asked questions — Kos → Kalymnos

Why visit Kalymnos?

  • ✓ Climb world-class limestone sea cliffs at Telendos, Grande Grotta and Arhi, with over 3,000 bolted routes
  • ✓ Watch traditional sponge-diving heritage at Pothia and visit the Sponge Factory and Nautical Museum
  • ✓ Take a short boat ride to car-free Telendos island for beaches, tavernas and views of Kalymnos
  • ✓ Explore the fjord-like village of Vathy and the lush Rina valley by boat or on foot
  • ✓ Descend into the Cave of the Seven Virgins and hike to the ruined Castle of Chrysocheria above Pothia
🌙
Recommended stay
4 to 7 nights — enough time for climbing, island hopping to Telendos and exploring villages

When to visit Kalymnos?

MEDITERRANEAN CLIMATE

April to June and September to November — mild temperatures ideal for climbing, avoiding the intense summer heat

Jan 😞
Feb 😞
Mar 😐
Apr 😊
May 😊
Jun 😐
Jul 😞
Aug 😞
Sep 😊
Oct 😊
Nov 😐
Dec 😞
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In Kalymnos — Plan your stay
Accommodation, activities and tips selected for you
🏨 Accommodation
Hotels in Kalymnos
Compare the best rates available
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What to do in Kalymnos?

Local experiences, must-see sights and activities selected for you

MUST-SEE
🧗
Rock Climbing at Telendos View
Kalymnos is a world-class climbing destination with over 3,000 bolted routes. Sectors like Grande Grotta and Arhi suit all levels. Climb from October to May to avoid summer heat. Rent gear and book guides in Massouri; a half-day guided session starts around 50€.
🧽
Sponge Diving Heritage in Pothia
Kalymnos was the Aegean's sponge-diving capital. In Pothia, visit the Maritime Museum and the Sponge Factory to see traditional diving suits and processing. Entry is usually under 5€. Buy natural sponges directly from local shops along the waterfront rather than souvenir stalls for better quality.
🏝️
Day Trip to Telendos Island
Take the small boat from Myrties, a 5-minute crossing for about 3€ return, running frequently through the day. Telendos is car-free, with quiet tavernas, pebble beaches and a hike up to the ruined Byzantine castle. Bring water and sturdy shoes; the climb takes about 45 minutes.
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Chora Castle and Pera Kastro
Above Pothia, the old Chora settlement is crowned by the Castle of the Knights of Saint John, with Byzantine chapels inside the walls. Free to enter. Climb the stone steps early morning or at sunset for cooler temperatures and sweeping views over Pothia and the harbour.
🕳️
Cave of the Seven Virgins
Near Vathy valley, the Skalia area hosts caves such as Kefalas Cave, with impressive stalactites and a lit walkway. Entry is around 3€ to 5€. Opening hours vary by season, so check locally. Bring a light jacket since the interior stays cool and humid year-round.
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Vathy Fjord and Rina Village
Vathy is a green valley ending in a narrow fjord-like inlet, with citrus groves and the fishing hamlet of Rina. Rent a car or scooter from Pothia (about 25€ per day for a scooter). Have fresh fish at a harbour taverna and ask for the day's catch.
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Local Cuisine: Mermizeli and Octopus
Try Kalymnian specialties: mermizeli (a salad with rusks, tomato and cheese) and octopus grilled or in wine. Local tavernas in Pothia and Emporios serve them in generous portions. Expect to pay around 12€ to 18€ per person. Try the thyme honey sold by village producers.
🌅
Sunset at Emporios and Arginonta
On the quieter north coast, the beaches of Emporios and Arginonta see far fewer visitors than Masouri. Drive the winding coastal road and stop at Arginonta's small taverna for dinner facing the sea. Go in late afternoon for the best light, and bring cash since some places don't take cards.

How long to visit Kalymnos?

4 to 7 days

Plan 5 to 7 days to enjoy Kalymnos properly. With 3 days you can climb or hike around Masouri, Arginonta and Telendos, and explore Pothia and Vathy. With a week, add boat trips to Pserimos, Plati and Emporios, plus diving or sponge-diving heritage visits. Rent a scooter or car on arrival, as the main sights and crags are spread across the island.

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