How to get to Samothraki

The ferry from Alexandroupolis

Every trip to Samothraki ends with the same crossing. Fast Ferries runs the route with the Adamantios Korais, a car ferry that leaves the port of Alexandroupolis and reaches Kamariotissa, on the island’s west coast, in about 1 hour 45 minutes.

• June to early September: sailings every day, and two on some days in July and August.
• The rest of the year: usually one a day, and on some days there is no sailing back, so check the dates before you plan your return.
• Some sailings carry on to Lemnos after Samothraki.

Times change with the season, so look at the sailings for your own dates before you book anything else.

Booking your tickets

You can book online, a car or campervan included, and travel with an e-ticket on your phone, or buy at the ferry office in the port of Alexandroupolis or at the kiosk by the harbour in Kamariotissa.

In July and August the boats fill up, and the car spaces go first. Book the vehicle’s place as soon as your dates are set, and book the way back at the same time, since the boats home are just as full in those weeks.

Taking a car, campervan or motorbike

The ferry takes cars, campervans, motorbikes and bicycles. Book the vehicle’s place with your tickets, and be at the port at least an hour before departure. Passengers walk on board; only the driver stays with the car.

Electric, hybrid and gas-powered cars have limits on battery charge and tank level. Check the ferry company’s rules before you travel.

Hiring a car in Alexandroupolis? Ask the rental company before you book whether it may go on the ferry. You can also hire on the island: see getting around Samothraki.

From Athens

The quickest way is to fly from Athens to Alexandroupolis, about an hour, then take a taxi or a transfer to the port. By land it is a long day: the bus takes about 10 hours, and the drive most of a day.

From Thessaloniki

Drive east on the Egnatia motorway to Alexandroupolis, about three and a half hours, or take the bus, about 5 hours. The train also runs to Alexandroupolis. Leave enough time to make the ferry, or stay a night in Alexandroupolis and take the morning boat.

Is there a ferry from Kavala?

No. There is no ferry from Kavala to Samothraki. Most people drive or take the bus from Kavala to Alexandroupolis, about two hours, and take the ferry from there.

In summer you can also go by sea through Lemnos: ferries run from Kavala to Lemnos, and on two or three days a week the Samothraki ferry calls at Lemnos, about 2 hours 30 minutes away.

Driving from Bulgaria, Romania or Turkey

Alexandroupolis is close to the borders. From Bulgaria and Romania, cross into Greece and join the Egnatia motorway east to Alexandroupolis. From Turkey, the border at Kipoi is under an hour from the port. In summer, book the car’s place on the ferry before you set off.

Wind and cancelled sailings

Strong winds can delay or cancel the ferry. Check with the ferry company the day before and on the morning you travel, and leave a spare day between the boat home and a flight.

When you arrive

The ferry docks at Kamariotissa, the island’s port village, with taxis, the island bus, and car and scooter hire by the harbour. See getting around Samothraki and Kamariotissa.