Flights to Naxos: How Americans Get There and What to Book

Naxos has a small domestic airport (JNX), and the usual route from the U.S. is a flight to Athens, then a short hop on to the island. Plan on one connection in Athens, and book that last leg as soon as your dates are set, because the planes are small and seats go fast.

How do Americans fly to Naxos?

You fly through Athens. No international flights land on Naxos, and nearly all of the airport's traffic comes from Athens. The standard plan is to cross the Atlantic to Athens International Airport (Eleftherios Venizelos), then connect to a short domestic flight to the island.

Santorini and Mykonos open a second route. Both get direct flights from other European cities, and Naxos is a ferry ride away: roughly 1.5 to 2 hours from Santorini and about 1 hour from Mykonos. You can fly into one, sail to Naxos, and fly home from the other. Paros is a short ferry ride from Naxos, and it works the same way if you find a good flight there.

Which airlines fly to Naxos, and from where?

Sky Express and Olympic Air fly the routes. Aegean also sells tickets to Naxos, and because Olympic Air is an Aegean affiliate, you may board an Olympic plane even if you booked with Aegean.

Athens is the workhorse, with flights all year, roughly 2 to 4 a day, and fewer departures in winter. Seasonal flights also link the island with Thessaloniki (about 1 hour 15 minutes) and Heraklion on Crete. Timetables change from season to season, so check the current one before you plan your connection.

How long is the flight from Athens to Naxos?

The Athens to Naxos flight takes about 45 minutes in the air, on small turboprop planes. Add airport time at both ends. After a transatlantic arrival in Athens, you walk to domestic check-in, clear security again and board. Leave a generous layover, because a missed connection can leave you waiting for the next departure, which in the low season may be the following day.

Is it better to fly or take the ferry?

Your luggage and your schedule decide it. The flight saves hours: the ferry from Piraeus takes about 3 hours 15 minutes on the fastest boats and around 7 hours on the slowest. A short visit with light bags and a fixed return date favors the plane. A family with heavy bags, a flexible plan or a rental car leans toward the ferry, which carries vehicles and takes luggage without fuss. Flights also cost more than ferry tickets. Weather disrupts small planes more easily than big ferries, and one delay can ripple through the whole day.

The ferry adds a transfer in Athens. Piraeus is about 28 miles (45 km) from the airport, roughly 50 to 60 minutes by road depending on traffic. The X96 bus connects the airport with the port around the clock, and a suburban rail service makes the trip in about 65 minutes. In summer, SEAJETS also runs up to 4 daily sailings to Naxos from Rafina, another Athens port. On Naxos the ferry docks right in Naxos Town, steps from the main promenade and many hotels.

When should you book flights to Naxos?

Book as early as you can. Seats on the small planes are limited, and many visitors find they fill up during festivals and holiday weeks, so it helps to book early. Fares move with demand. Reserving early in the low season can be affordable, but summer seats bought at the last minute often cost a lot more. Book directly with the airline or through a reputable agent for the clearest picture of fares, and add your frequent-flyer number when you do, since points from the airline's alliance may apply.

What are the baggage limits on the Naxos flights?

The limits are tighter than on your transatlantic flight. Small planes usually have tighter baggage limits than big jets, so check the exact checked and cabin allowance with the airline before you book. The exact allowance is on your ticket, so confirm it before you pay. Overweight bags may be refused or charged heavily, and hold space on a small plane is scarce. Weigh your suitcase at home before you leave.

How do you get from Naxos Airport to town?

The airport sits about 2.5 miles (4 km) from Naxos Town, roughly a 10-minute drive. Taxis wait at a rank right in front of the terminal, but supply runs thin in busy weeks, so book a driver to meet you at arrivals. Private transfers run around the clock, and some hotels send their own pickup. There are no car rental companies at the airport itself.

The KTEL bus runs from the airport into town, and the ride takes around 20 minutes. It leaves from the camping station just outside the airport, about a third of a mile (500 meters) away on the left side. In summer a bus also connects the airport with the beach areas of Agios Prokopios and Agia Anna. KTEL buses carry luggage free in the hold underneath, so your suitcase rides along at no extra cost.

Wait, the first defect: the distance must have miles first. The airport sits about 2.4 miles from the port of Naxos, so the ride into town is a short one.