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How to get from Alonissos to Pelion
Alonissos is an island, so the trip starts with a ferry or hydrofoil to Volos, the port at the foot of Mount Pelion, usually calling at Skopelos and Skiathos on the way (about 3–5 h). From Volos the Pelion villages are 20 minutes to about 1 h 30 by car or KTEL bus, so allow most of a day door to door.
Best option: Ferry. Alonissos has no airport or road link, and the boat to Volos lands you right at the base of Pelion.
All the ways to make the trip
| How | Time | How often | Price* | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ferry Ferries and hydrofoils from Patitiri (Alonissos) to Volos, usually via Skopelos and Skiathos | about 3 h by hydrofoil, 4–5 h by conventional ferry | daily in summer, fewer in winter; check current timetables | roughly €30–60 per person; extra for a car on conventional ferries | Hydrofoils carry no cars and are cancelled in strong winds. |
| bus KTEL Magnesia buses from Volos bus station to Pelion villages (Portaria, Makrinitsa, Tsagarada, Agios Ioannis, etc.) | about 20 min to 2 h depending on the village | several a day to the nearer villages, 1–3 a day to the east coast | about €2–8 | Combine with the ferry; schedules thin out in winter and on Sundays. |
| car Take your car on a conventional ferry to Volos, then mountain roads into Pelion | ferry time plus 20 min to 1 h 30 on the road | ferry car fare (roughly €60–120 one way) plus fuel | Pelion roads are narrow and winding; parking in villages like Makrinitsa is limited. |
*Approximate prices and times for 2026. Timetables change by season: check with the operator before you travel.
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Tips
- Book hydrofoil seats ahead in July–August; they sell out.
- If you have heavy luggage or a car, choose the conventional ferry rather than the hydrofoil.
- Rent a car in Volos: buses reach the villages but rarely link them to each other.
- Check the weather forecast; summer meltemi winds can cancel hydrofoils.
Common questions
Is there a direct ferry from Alonissos to Volos?
Yes. Ferries and hydrofoils run between Alonissos (Patitiri) and Volos, normally calling at Skopelos and Skiathos on the way. Hydrofoils take about 3 hours and conventional ferries about 4–5 hours. Services are daily in summer and reduced in winter, so check current timetables before you plan your onward trip into Pelion.
Can I do it as a day trip?
Not realistically. With 3–5 hours on the boat in each direction, plus the drive up from Volos into the mountain villages, you would spend almost the whole day travelling. Pelion is spread out and its villages deserve time, so most people stay at least one or two nights there before returning to the Sporades.
How do I get from Volos port to the Pelion villages?
KTEL Magnesia buses leave from the Volos bus station, a short taxi ride or walk from the port, to villages such as Portaria, Makrinitsa, Tsagarada and Zagora. Nearer villages have several buses a day; distant ones have only one to three. A taxi or rental car gives much more freedom, especially for the east coast beaches.
Do I need to book the ferry ahead?
In July and August it is wise to book hydrofoil seats a few days ahead, and essential if you are taking a car on a conventional ferry. Outside peak season you can usually buy tickets at the port agencies on the day. Remember that hydrofoils are often cancelled in strong winds, so keep some slack in your plans.
Compiled by TonyPlan from operator and transport information and travel knowledge; updated 2026-10-05. Anything we could not confirm is marked as approximate.