Kos To Patmos Ferry Crossing In 2026

Kos to Patmos Ferry

Kos and Patmos sit at opposite ends of a stretch of the Dodecanese that ferries have worked for decades, and the route still feels like a proper island-hopping leg rather than a shuttle. You leave from Kos town, where the ferry quay sits close enough to the old harbour and the castle walls that you can walk to it with luggage rather than needing a taxi, and you arrive at Skala, the low white harbour that serves as Patmos's only real port and doubles as its main village. Depending on which sailing you catch and how many stops the boat makes along the way, the crossing can be a brisk hop or a longer, more scenic passage -- check the schedule box above to see which of that day's departures suits your plans.

Frequency swings with the season, as it does across the Dodecanese: expect a single daily connection to hold things together outside summer, then extra sailings to appear as demand builds. The table below breaks this down month by month so you can see at a glance when the extra capacity kicks in, but for the exact current picture always work from the panel and schedule above rather than these general patterns.

Monthly Schedule Overview

Here is a month-by-month overview of ferry service from Kos to Patmos:

Month	Available	Avg. Ferries/Day
January	Not yet published	–
February	Not yet published	–
March	Not yet published	–
April	Not yet published	–
May	Not yet published	–
June	Not yet published	–
July	Yes	2.3 (2–3)
August	Yes	2.4 (2–3)
September	Yes	2.3 (1–3)
October	Yes	1.9 (1–3)
November	Yes	1.0
December	Not yet published	–

Kos to Patmos — next 14 days

Actual sailing dates and departure times for the next two weeks (last updated 2026-08-06):

Date	Sailings	Departure times
Thu 6 Aug	3	11:30, 14:00, 20:30
Fri 7 Aug	3	10:25, 13:05, 22:35
Sat 8 Aug	2	10:25, 12:15
Sun 9 Aug	3	10:25, 13:05, 20:30
Mon 10 Aug	2	10:25, 19:45
Tue 11 Aug	2	10:25, 20:55
Wed 12 Aug	2	10:25, 21:35
Thu 13 Aug	3	11:30, 14:00, 20:30
Fri 14 Aug	3	10:25, 13:05, 22:35
Sat 15 Aug	2	10:25, 12:15
Sun 16 Aug	3	10:25, 13:05, 20:30
Mon 17 Aug	2	10:25, 19:45
Tue 18 Aug	2	10:25, 20:55
Wed 19 Aug	2	10:25, 21:35

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Ferry Companies

The Kos–Patmos route is served by 3 companies:

• Dodekanisos Seaways – approximately 1 hour 30 minutes
• Blue Star Ferries – approximately 3 hours
• Superfast Ferries – approximately 3 hours 25 minutes

The spread in journey times comes down to the type of vessel rather than the distance covered. The high-speed catamarans cut straight across and get you there in under two hours, which suits anyone who would rather spend the extra time on Patmos itself than at sea. The larger conventional ferries take longer but tend to be steadier in a breeze, carry vehicles, and are the more comfortable option if you are prone to seasickness or simply prefer being able to walk around on deck during the crossing.

Tips for the Kos–Patmos Ferry

• The harbour sits right beside the medieval Castle of the Knights, with ticket agencies lining the waterfront. For domestic sailings on Dodekanisos Seaways and Blue Star ferries, arrive at least 30 to 45 minutes before departure to buy tickets and locate your berth.
• If you are travelling on to Kalymnos, check which port is printed on your ticket – many sailings, including the frequent local car ferries, depart from Mastichari on Kos's north-west coast, not from Kos Town harbour.
• Left-luggage lockers at Kos Town port are limited, so don't rely on finding one at short notice; pack light enough to carry your bags the short walk from the harbour into the old town yourself.
• Reduced winter frequency sometimes means you must spend an extra night on an island to catch the next available sailing; always check onward connections.
• Once you arrive in Patmos, the UNESCO-protected old town of Hora and the imposing Monastery of Saint John the Theologian – built in the 11th century – dominate the hilltop above the port. The Cave of the Apocalypse, where Saint John is said to have written the Book of Revelation, is one of the most important Christian pilgrimage sites in the world.

Both harbours are compact and easy to navigate on foot, so this is not a route where you need to worry about long transfers once you are off the boat. In Kos, the quay is a short stroll from the town's hotels and restaurants, and in Patmos, Skala itself is where most visitors base themselves, so you can step off the boat and be at your accommodation within minutes. The Aegean between the two islands can pick up a swell when the meltemi is blowing in summer, so if you are a nervous sailor it is worth choosing one of the larger conventional ferries over the faster catamarans on breezier days.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often do ferries run from Kos to Patmos?

Typically 1 ferry per day in winter, increasing to 2-3 ferries per day in summer. Service runs year-round.

Are there ferries from Kos to Patmos today?

Yes – 3 sailings today. See the 14-day timetable above for departure times.

How many ferries run from Kos to Patmos this week?

Around 17 sailings over the next 7 days (typically 2 per day, 3 on weekends).

What time is the first ferry from Kos to Patmos?

The first departure is usually 10:25.

How long is the ferry from Kos to Patmos?

The fastest crossing takes approximately 1 hour 30 minutes, while the slowest takes around 4 hours 20 minutes. Journey times depend on the ferry type and company.

How much does the Kos to Patmos ferry cost?

Ticket prices start from €12 per person for a standard seat. Prices can go up to €48 depending on the company, seat class, and time of year.

Which ferry companies operate the Kos–Patmos route?

The route is served by Dodekanisos Seaways, Blue Star Ferries, Superfast Ferries.

Do you need a car in Patmos?

Not essential, but useful if you want to reach quieter beaches beyond Chora and Grikos at your own pace. Rental desks sit right at Skala port, and buses from the same stop run to Chora, Grikos and Kambos around six times a day, with taxis filling the gaps. Roads are well maintained and quiet, so driving is easy. Compare suppliers at Discover Cars.

Can you rent a car in Kos?

Yes. The ferry port sits right in Kos Town, about 2km from the centre, a 20-25 minute walk or five-minute drive, with rental desks nearby. Buses run regularly between the main towns but thin out fast once you leave them, so a car is worth it if you want to reach the Asclepion, Mount Dikeos villages or the quieter beaches. Compare prices at Discover Cars.