Getting to Skiathos, Greece, presents few problems for air travellers as , despite it's small size, the island does have an airport that takes both charter flights from across Europe and daily domestic flights from Athens. All types of ferries leave from mainland ports of Volos and Agios Konstantinos, the latter only a short journey from Athens airport. There are also ferries from Thessaloniki that call in at Skiathos on the way to Crete. Skiathos is also the first destination for those travelling on to Skopelos and Alonissos as there are regular hydrofoil services to both these islands.
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Skiathos Airport (JSI), or officially Alexandros Papadiamantis International Airport (Skiathos), is the main flight destination point for holidaymakers visiting the Sporades islands.
The airport is about 3km north of Skiathos Town and takes charter flights from all over Europe during the summer (about 2,000), including many direct flights from UK airports at London Gatwick, Manchester and Birmingham International, East Midlands and from Newcastle.
Athens Airways has daily domestic flights from Athens (20 mins) and there are also flights from Volos by Argo Airways and from Thessaloniki on Astra Airlines.
Skiathos Airport is noted for its short runway (just over 1,600m) sited on a narrow neck of land with sea at both ends.
Passengers are usually warned to expect high engine noise on landing as pilots use reverse engine thrust to slow the plane down.
Aircraft also take off with only enough fuel to get to nearby Thessaloniki as full fuel tanks would probably make them too heavy to lift off . The Thessaloniki fuel stop can add an hour to homebound journey times.
There are few facilities at the airport, no restaurants, banks, cash machines or left luggage for example, and parking outside the airport is very limited. There is a small taverna next to the airport.
There is no dedicated bus service to the airport, only taxis and these can be in very short supply after flights arrive so it is advisable to book ahead. Make arrangements to get to the airport as ther will be few taxis in Skiathos Town at flight times - they are all at the aiport.
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Skiathos is pretty well served by ferries but there are no direct services from Piraeus (Athens). There is a daily high speed ferry service from the mainland port of Agios Konstantinos run by GA Ferries. Agios Konstantinos is quite easy to reach from Athens and many independent travellers book a cheap flight to Athens then make their way to Agios Konstantinos by bus or taxi.
Ferries to Skiathos also run from the mainland port Volos in Thessaly and the journey time here is about two hours. There are also hydrofoil services, both from Agios Konstantinos (90 mins) and the port of Volos (75 mins), throughout the summer.
GA Ferries also run summer ferry services from Thessaloniki to Crete, calling in at Skiathos, Skopelos, Syros, Tinos, Paros, Naxos, Ios and Santorini. Minoan Lines also operate ferries twice weekly from Thessaloniki calling in at Skiathos, Paros, Tinos, Mykonos, Syros and Naxos before heading to Crete.
A new service from Thessaloniki to the Sporades has begun on Mondays and Fridays with a round trip Thessaloniki, Alonissos, Skopelos, Skiathos and Volos run by NEL lines.
Skiathos is also the main embarkation port for those on holiday in Skopelos and Alonissos. There are several ferry services to these islands every day.
The information here is as accurate as I can make it but please note ferry schedules can change at any time.
Skiathos is such a popular island with package tour operators - sandy beaches, short transfers etc - that most accommodation on the island is block booked throughout the summer season by major tour companies.
Nevertheless, owners of rooms and apartments still line the quayside with offers for ferry arrivals and, although you are ill-advised to arrive without a reservation in the summer, you can still strike lucky. If not, there's a Room Owners Association kiosk at the harbour where they post an up-to-date list of available rooms.
Skiathos Town is where to stay if you want nightlife and shopping. There are no beaches here but the nearest is only a short distance away at Megali Ammos or, if you prefer something quieter Xanemos beach is near the airport. There is a plentiful supply of decent hotels and rooms to let all over the town. The most prominent is the 90-room Alkyon Hotel but if you are on a tighter budget it is best to wander away from the harbour and head into the town.
All the main Skiathos beach resorts, and there are plenty along the 12km sough coast, have hotels, rooms and self-catering apartments. The most luxurious is probably the Atrium Hotel in Platanias with its Olympic-size swimming pool and the Skiathos Palace on the headland above Koukounaries beach with a rooftop garden restaurant.
Those on the tightest budgets can head for the campsite at Koukounaries. It is near the beach and has very good facilities including a cafe and mini-market.
There is only a single main road on Skiathos and it follows the south coast pretty closely, snaking through or around all the main south coast beach resorts. The road surface is generally good but potholes and stones may sometimes have to be negotiated, especially in the hilly area around Achladies where sharp turns on a steep bank bring its annual crop of minor accidents. Off the main road the conditions deteriorate sharply and those looking to head into the hills will need a four-wheel-drive vehicle.
Skiathos has an excellent bus service that runs along the main south coast road from Skiathos Town to Koukounaries. Buses roll out every 20 minutes or so and are clean and well kept but they are crammed with tourists at busy time. Perspiring passengers concertina up the aisle and getting off requires the tactical skills of Rommel. Homeward bound passengers will stand stoically at stops watching the packed bus loads roll by until they eventually tire, hail a taxi or start walking. The information kiosk in front of Skiathos harbour has free photocopies of bus timetables.
Numbered Skiathos bus stops are well marked: 0 Skiathos harbour | 1 Skiathos, Delta | 2 Skiathos, Platania | Skiathos, Sfagia | 4 Skiathos, Acropolis | 5 Megali Ammos | 6 Mytikes | 7 Vassilias | 8 Vassilias spring | 9 Aghia Taxiarhis | 10 Achiladias | 11 Sklithri | 12 Tzanaria | 13 Vromolimnos | 14 Kolios | 15 Makri Katalima | 16 Aghia Paraskevi | 17 Poros | 18 Ikonistria | 19 Troulos A | 20 Troulos B | 21 Amoni | 22 Maratha | 23 Mandraki | 24 Stofilia | 25 Aghia Eleni | 26 Koukounaries
Skiathos taxis are not cheap, but with the island only 12 km long they shouldn't break the bank. Taxis abound at the airport to pick up new arrivals but they are quickly snapped up. There is also a taxi rank on the harbour front and they can be flagged down along the island's only main road. Fares are regulated but drivers charge extra for going off the main road and there is an extra charge for phoning the taxi station.
Water taxis are another popular transport option on Skiathos. They leave the old harbour in Skiathos Town every hour to Achladies bay, Kanapitsa beach and other popular island beaches. The last one leaves Skiathos Town old harbour at 11.45 pm for Achlaidies.
