Greece

How to get from Kos to Nisyros

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

⏱
FASTEST
1h 30min
💶
From
9€
📍
Distance
35 km
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⚡ Quick answer

Checked offer from Kos to Nisyros: Ferry, about 1h 30min, from €9. Main companies selling this route on 12Go (checked on November 4, 2026): Anem Ferries; main departure point: Kos Port.

Distance: 35 km. Data updated on .

One option to get from Kos to Nisyros

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

Ferry
1h 30min
9 €
View
🚌 Departure from Kos
📍Ferries to Nisyros generally leave from the main harbour of Kos Town, close to the medieval castle and the waterfront. Ticket offices and cafés are nearby. Always check the departure port printed on your ticket before you head to the quay.
🚇From the centre of Kos Town, the harbour is easy to reach on foot along the waterfront. Taxis are also available if you have luggage. From the airport, take a taxi or a local bus into town first.
⏰Departures depend on the season and the day of the week, and not every day has a sailing. Confirm the exact outbound and return times when you book online.
💸 Transport from 9€ per person
⚡ Fastest: 1h 30min
🗓 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
Anem Ferries Ferry Kos Port €9 2
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Practical tips

💡
Book your return at the same time

Nisyros is small and boats may not sail every day. Secure your outbound and return crossings together, so you aren't stranded overnight without accommodation or a way back to Kos.

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Don't wait for a full boat in summer

In high season, day-trippers and groups fill the seats quickly. Book online ahead of your travel date rather than relying on the quayside ticket office, so your place is guaranteed.

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Check the departure port on your ticket

Kos has more than one harbour, and mixing them up is an easy mistake. Read the departure port on your confirmation and head there directly, so you don't lose time or miss the boat.

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Allow for weather and wind

Strong winds can delay or cancel Aegean crossings. Avoid tight onward plans, such as a flight or long-distance ferry the same day, and keep some flexibility in your schedule.

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Verify the timetable for your exact weekday

Seasonal schedules differ from one week to the next, and some sailings run only on certain days. Check the timetable for your exact date before planning accommodation or activities on the island.

The journey experience

Kos to Nisyros is one of the easiest ways to add a volcano to your Dodecanese itinerary. For this route, the ferry is the option to plan around. You don't need to compare coaches, trains and flights: you just pick a day and a boat. The comparison table on this page shows duration and price at a glance.

The crossing is a short hop across the eastern Aegean, usually on a modest passenger ferry rather than a big overnight ship. Onboard you'll find simple indoor seating and open decks, where you can watch Nisyros's round volcanic outline appear. Many travellers go over for the Stefanos crater and the whitewashed harbour village of Mandraki. The boat suits independent travellers who like flexible plans, especially in the warmer months.

Greek ferry timetables change with the season, and some island links only sail on certain days of the week. Before you commit, check which weekday you want to travel and confirm the departure port on your ticket. Also check the return sailing, so you don't end up stuck on Nisyros. Booking online gives you instant confirmation and removes most of the stress. Once your outbound and return boats are secured, the rest of the trip is easy.

Frequently asked questions — Kos → Nisyros

Why visit Nisyros?

  • ✓ Hike down into the Stefanos crater, a 260 m-wide hydrothermal crater with yellow sulphur deposits and hissing fumaroles
  • ✓ Wander the whitewashed lanes of Mandraki, with its carved wooden church doors and flower-filled balconies
  • ✓ Visit the Panagia Spiliani monastery, perched on a cliff above Mandraki and reached by a stone stairway
  • ✓ Explore the hilltop village of Nikia, with its pebble-mosaic square and panoramic views over the volcanic caldera
  • ✓ Swim at the black volcanic pebble beaches of Pali and Lies, then try soumada, the local almond drink
🌙
Recommended stay
1 to 3 nights — the island is small, and a day trip leaves little time for its villages.

When to visit Nisyros?

MEDITERRANEAN CLIMATE

May to early October — warm, dry and sunny weather, with sea temperatures good for swimming and reliable ferry links.

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

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

MUST-SEE
🌋
Stefanos Volcanic Crater
Descend into the 260 m wide Stefanos crater, one of the world's most accessible hydrothermal craters. Fumaroles hiss and the ground is yellow with sulphur. Entry costs about 3€. Go early morning or late afternoon to avoid midday heat and tour buses, and wear closed shoes.
🏘️
Wandering Mandraki Old Town
Mandraki, the island's capital, is a maze of whitewashed lanes, carved wooden balconies and pebble-mosaic courtyards. Walk it in the evening when the light softens and tavernas fill the main square. Everything is walkable in under an hour, so linger over a coffee near Ypapanti church.
⛪
Panagia Spiliani Monastery
Perched on a rock above Mandraki, this 14th-century monastery shelters a revered icon of the Virgin in a cave-like chapel. Climb the steps for sweeping sea views toward Kos and Tilos. Dress modestly, shoulders and knees covered. Opening hours are irregular, so check locally; a small donation is appreciated.
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Paleokastro Ancient Fortress
Just above Mandraki, the Paleokastro walls date to the 4th century BC and are built from massive, precisely fitted volcanic stone blocks, still standing about 3 m high in places. Free access at any time. Walk up from the Panagia Spiliani road, ideally at sunset, and bring water.
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Emporios and Nikia Villages
Perched on the caldera rim, Emporios and Nikia offer dramatic views into the crater. Nikia's pretty square has a pebble mosaic and a small café. Drive or take the local bus, then walk the paved path between them. Go in the afternoon for the best light over the caldera.
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Pitia and Local Island Cuisine
Try pitia, Nisyros' chickpea fritters, along with soumada, an almond-based drink served at weddings and festivals. Order them in Mandraki's family tavernas or Nikia's café. Expect mezze and a main dish for around 15€ per person. Ask what is fresh that day; the menu is short and seasonal.
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Black Pebble Beaches Hopping
Swim off the dark volcanic shores of Pachia Ammos and Lies. Pachia Ammos is the island's longest beach and calm in summer, with a seasonal taverna. Lies is quieter and pebbly. Bring water shoes because the stones heat quickly, and use the local bus or rent a scooter from about 20€ per day.
♨️
Hot Springs at Loutra
At Loutra, a short walk from Mandraki, natural thermal waters flow near the sea beside a disused spa. Locals have long used them for rheumatism relief. Visit in the evening when it is cooler and less crowded, and check the water temperature before getting in, as it can be very hot.

How long to visit Nisyros?

1 to 2 days

Nisyros is best done in 1 to 2 days. In one day trip from Kos or Kardamena, you can see the Stefanos volcanic crater, Mandraki with its monastery and castle, and Emporios and Nikia villages. Stay one night if you can: the island is much calmer once the day-trippers leave, and you can hike down to the crater floor and swim at Pali or the Lies pebble beach without rushing. Check ferry and excursion boat schedules in advance, as sailings are limited and depend on weather.

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