How to get to Samothraki?

To get to Samothraki island you need to board one of the regular ferries that depart from the port of Alexandroupoli. This is the island's only connection to the mainland.

Getting to Samothraki by car

If you are from Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Albania, North Macedonia or Turkey the easiest way to get to Samothraki is by car. Alexandroupoli is on Egnatia Odos, the great east-to-west Greek highway. It's well-maintained and generally empty. There's no need to pay for a vignette in Greece, but depending on where you enter the country there might be one or more toll stations along the way.

Coming from Romania

Find out more about traveling by car from Romania to Samothraki.

Coming from Bulgaria

Bulgaria shares a long border with Greece with multiple border points, so depending on where you live, you might choose one or the other. The one from Makaza is closest to Alexandroupoli. It is usually less crowded than the one from Kulata and there is only one toll station along the way. If you're coming from the east of Bulgaria the Svilengrad border point is certainly the way to go as it's the least crowded.

Coming from Turkey

Greece shares two land border points with Turkey (Edirne and Kesan). Both are well connected to the Greek road network and are reasonably close to Alexandroupoli.

Flights to Samothraki

Although Samothraki does not have an airport, flying is still the easiest way to get to it from most international destinations. The closest airport to Samothraki is in Alexandroupoli (AXD), from where you take the ferry to Kamariotissa (Samothraki's port). Unfortunately, it's not an international airport, so getting there from outside of Greece involves getting on a flight from Athens to Alexandroupoli. An alternative would be to fly directly to Kavala or Thessaloniki and then rent a car from there.

Getting to Samothraki by bus

Thessaloniki to Alexandroupolis bus

There are buses between Thessaloniki and Alexandroupolis every day of the week operated by the Greek company Ktel. The distance between Thessaloniki and Alexandroupolis is roughly 300 km and the trip takes around 4-4.5 hours. It's 31.8 € for a one-way trip and it's possible to make a reservation (only two weeks in advance). The Thessaloniki to Alexandroupolis bus timetable is available on Ktel's website.

Kavala to Alexandroupoli bus

The distance from Kavala to Alexandroupoli is only 150 km. It takes about 2-3 hours to get from one city to another by bus. There are fewer buses compared to Thessaloniki. The price is 16.7 € and a reservation is possible (up to 14 days in advance). The Kavala - Alexandroupoli bus timetable is also available on Ktel's site.

Istanbul to Alexandroupolis Bus

It's possible to get by bus from Istanbul to Alexandroupolis. The distance is around 300 km and getting through the customs might take some time, especially in high season, so plan ahead. The bus timetable from Istanbul to Alexandroupolis is available.

Getting to Samothraki by train

There used to be a train in the past linking Thessaloniki and Alexandroupoli, but unfortunately, at the moment, there is none.

Parking in Alexandroupoli

Although it's a good idea to bring your car to the island, there are options to leave it in the paid parking lot in the port (by the entrance to the right). There's a free alternative parking by the stadium, about 20 minutes away by foot.

If you don't want to move around much on the island there are ways to get by without a car - like renting a scooter, taking the bus or a cab, or even hitchhiking.