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It has been announced that a new sea plane service will be provided as an alternative mode of transportation in the region.

ArGo Airways will offer short haul flights interconnecting Volos, Thessaloniki, Skiathos, Skopelos and Alonissos. This new service is expected to start this summer (2009).  We are awaiting conformation of a start date and schedules.

ArGo Airways will mainly use seaplanes as the core of its fleet. It presently operates one type of aircraft, the De Havilland DHC-3 Turbine Single Otter.

Passenger capacity is 9 seats.

Flights to Skopelos will land at Agnontas on the south western coast. Prices will be approximately 40 Euros one way per person and journey times around 30 minutes.

This new mode of transport may not suit all travellers to the Islands as baggage allowance is 10 kilos per person.  Excess baggage will be charged at 10 Euros per kilo. Carry on luggage allowed is 4 kilos.

Children between 5 and 12 years can travel alone. Their parents or guardians will have to provide all the necessary documentation before departure. Pets are allowed to fly as long as they are in a proper container and will be charged accordingly. Guide and service dogs, together with their containers and food, will be carried free of charge.

ArGo Airways say on their website that passengers with disabilities must be able to board the plane on their own. They say it is important for people to understand their policy to have a maximum of one PRM (Persons with Reduced Mobility) on the flight.

It is always best to contact them directly regarding any questions you may have via their website: http://www.argoairways.com

This is an exciting time for the Sporades group of Greek islands as another much needed form of passenger transport becomes available in making getting to Skiathos, Skopelos and Alonissos easier.

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By Jonathan, Angels Greek Island Homes
Getting to Skiathos, Skopelos and Alonissos is easy. There are a variety of routes available. Fly direct to Skiathos during the tourist flight season (May to October). Fly to Athens and take an internal flight to Skiathos. Fly to Volos or Thessaloniki.

There are no airports on Skopelos Island or Alonissos.

From Skiathos

Once you arrive in Skiathos Airport it is about a 5 minute taxi ride to the Port where you can take the car or fast ferries – flying dolphin / flying cat to the Skopelos ports of Loutraki (for Glossa), Skopelos Town and then on to Alonissos. It is advisable to check ferry schedules before your departure to Skiathios as these can change. It is also advisable to book a ticket in advance during the high season. This can be done on websites or by telephoning Skiathos ticket agencies direct. One company is Hellenic Seaways Tel: 0030 24270 22209.

Travel times from Skiathos are about 25min on the fast ferries to Glossa Skopelos, 45min to Skopelos Town and about 90min to Alonissos.

From Athens airport

you can get an internal flight to Skiathos. For travel by bus and ferry or you can either take the Metro to Omonia Square and walk to Alkon Travel in Kanigos Square. You can also take the Metro / Airport Bus to Syntagma Square and then take a Taxi to Kanigos Square. There are also Taxi’s from the Airport however; the journey by bus or metro is quite easy and cheaper!

On the corner of Kanigos Square (97 Akademias Street) you will find Alkon Travel Agency, a company which runs special buses to connect with the ferry at Aghios Konstantinos. They generally  open at around 6.30am. Next door there is a coffee shop where you can wait. I always order a Greek Coffee.

It is important to buy the combined bus and ferry ticket. The coach leaves from outside Alkon Travel, generally around 7am but, this is dependent on the schedules. It is important to check these before you travel as it can change. You can’t book the bus ticket online at the moment so it is best to telephone. Alkon Travel Tel: (00 30) 210 3832545 or 3843220.

The coach takes about two and half hours to Aghios Konstantinos where a connecting Flying Dolphin or ferry awaits.

From Thessaloniki (Salonika)

At most times of year you can get flights to Thessaloniki (Salonika). There are many airlines operating services and from 2008 Easy jet have a regular flight from the UK to Thessaloniki.  You can then take the public bus to Volos and the flying cat to the sporadic islands. At certain times of the year there is a car ferry service from Thessaloniki to Skiathos and Skopelos. It is best to contact SAOS Ferries or G.A Ferries for information and schedules.

Adverse Weather Conditions

Sometimes in winter there is no sea transport due to bad weather, if this happens it can be fun to stay a night in Athens. Book into a hotel, do some sightseeing, go to a good restaurant and try again the next day.

Alternatively you can travel on the public bus from Athens to the port of Volos from where ferries and Flying Dolphins may run more frequently.

Go to the Liossion Street bus station in Athens and take a bus to Volos (about a five hour journey).  This bus also passes through Agios Konstantinos. From Volos the Flying Dolphin / Flying Cat to Skiathos takes around 90 minutes, and around 2 hours to Skopelos.

If you need to stay in Volos overnight there are hotels opposite the port. There is often a Flying Dolphin or Ferry at 8.00 am, but again you must always check the schedules and availability.

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