Getting around Samothraki: buses, taxis, scooters and boats
How to get from the ferry to your stay and around the island: the two main roads, local buses, the island's few taxis, car and scooter hire, bikes, boats and hitchhiking.
Samothraki is small but steep, and it doesn't reveal itself from the beach. To reach the waterfalls, villages and far beaches you need a way to move. Everything starts at the port of Kamariotissa, where the ferry docks.
The roads
Two main roads leave Kamariotissa. One runs east along the north coast through Palaiopoli, Kariotes and Therma and ends at Kipos Beach. The other runs south-west through Lakoma to Pachia Ammos, with a branch climbing to Profitis Ilias. Smaller roads lead off to every village. The wild south-east between Pachia Ammos and Kipos has no road at all: you reach it on foot or by boat.
By bus
Local buses leave from the port of Kamariotissa on three routes: to Chora; to the north coast villages and Therma, with some trips on to Ano Meria and, in summer, Varades campsite; and to Alonia, Lakoma and Profitis Ilias. In high summer extra weekend buses have run to the beaches of Pachia Ammos and Kipos. Outside July and August buses mostly run on weekdays and follow the school timetable. Timetables are posted at the stop in the port; check them on arrival.
By taxi
There are only a few taxis on the island, waiting at the taxi rank by the small lighthouse in Kamariotissa. They are busy when ferries arrive, so ask for a phone number and share rides when you can.
By car or scooter
A car is the easiest way to see everything. Rental offices line the Kamariotissa seafront, among them Kyrkos, Niki and Rabbit, and most also rent scooters. Small cars cope best with narrow village streets, while some dirt roads need more clearance. The island has one petrol station, about 800 metres from Kamariotissa on the road to Chora. Drive slowly: goats, tortoises and walkers share the road, especially at night near Therma. You can also compare car hire before you travel, or bring a car on the ferry from Alexandroupoli.
By bike, boat or thumb
- Bikes have been for hire at Varades campsite near Therma; see our cycling page for routes.
- Boat trips from Therma and Kamariotissa reach the south coast beaches you can't drive to; see the coast by boat.
- Hitchhiking is common and friendly, especially between Varades campsite and Therma.
