Ios to Kimolos Ferry
Ios to Kimolos — At a Glance
- Season: Year-round service.
- Frequency: Typically 1 ferry per day, year-round.
- Sailing days: Ferries sail several days per week.
The Ios to Kimolos ferry is one of those routes that takes you from one mood of the Cyclades to another. Ios is lively and sociable; Kimolos is quieter, more remote, a place where the volcanic landscape meets the sea on its own unhurried terms. Connecting the two by ferry makes for a rewarding island hop.
Year-round, you can expect around 1 ferry per day on average, making it straightforward to plan your crossing without having to juggle complicated schedules.
Monthly Schedule Overview
Here is a month-by-month overview of ferry service from Ios to Kimolos:
| Month | Available | Avg. Ferries/Day |
|---|---|---|
| January | No | – |
| February | Yes | 1.0 |
| March | Yes | 1.0 |
| April | Yes | 1.0 |
| May | Yes | 1.0 |
| June | Yes | 1.0 |
| July | Yes | 1.0 |
| August | Yes | 1.0 |
| September | Yes | 1.0 |
| October | No | – |
| November | No | – |
| December | No | – |
Tips for the Ios–Kimolos Ferry
- Pets must be kept in the designated pet area and may not enter passenger saloons; bring a lead and any food or water your pet needs for the crossing.
- If you are prone to seasickness and see a Force 5–6 forecast, take preventive medication the night before as well as on the morning of travel.
- Two-berth cabins with a porthole cost more but are worth the premium for overnight crossings – a few hours of genuine sleep transforms how you arrive.
- Summer heat makes sun-exposed upper decks very intense between 11:00 and 16:00; bring sunscreen with a high SPF and a hat even for short crossings.
- In Kimolos, the main settlement of Horio at the foot of Mt Ksaplovouni enchants with its Cycladic simplicity and a castle at its heart. The island’s volcanic origins give the landscape a distinctive character, with grey-white rocks rising from crystal-clear waters that the Venetians once called ‘silvery’.
Useful Resources for Your Greek Island Trip
- Find accommodation in Greece – hotels, apartments and villas on Booking.com
- Book tours and activities in Greece via Viator
- Find guided experiences and day trips via GetYourGuide
- Compare car hire prices in Greece via DiscoverCars
Frequently Asked Questions
How often do ferries run from Ios to Kimolos?
You can generally count on around 1 ferry per day on this route throughout the year. That said, service is not available in all months – check the schedule table above to confirm availability for when you plan to travel.
Which ferry companies operate the Ios–Kimolos route?
Multiple ferry companies operate this route. Check current schedules for the latest operators.