Ferry from Kos to Patmos (Skala)

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.

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.

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.

Kos to Patmos Ferry Fares

Weekly Kos to Patmos Ferry Schedule

The repeating pattern behind the dated timetable, without dates. Each row is one scheduled departure and the days it runs.

Hiring a car

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.

Next 14 days

Every scheduled departure from Kos to Patmos between 5 September 2026 and 18 September 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tips for the Kos to 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.

Plan a journey

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