Kos and Lipsi sit within easy reach of each other in the Dodecanese, and the crossing between them is one of the more relaxed island-hops in this part of the Aegean. Kos is the bigger, busier island of the two, with a lively harbour town and an airport that brings in most of the region's visitors; Lipsi is the opposite end of the scale, a small, quiet island that many people only reach by boat. The ferry link between them makes it straightforward to combine a stay on Kos with a day, or a few days, somewhere much slower-paced.
Service runs year-round rather than shutting down out of season, though how many boats you get on a given day varies with the time of year -- busiest in the summer months, quieter through the winter. Check the schedule box above for the current sailing count and confirmed dates, since operators file their timetables in stages rather than publishing the whole year at once.
Dodekanisos Seaways runs high-speed catamarans built for hopping between the smaller Dodecanese islands, so their crossing is the quicker of the two. Blue Star's conventional ferries take longer because they're routed through other stops along the way, but they're roomier and a steadier ride if you'd rather not be on a fast boat.
Useful Resources for Your Greek Island Trip
- Find accommodation in Greece – hotels, apartments and villas on Booking.com
- Book tours and activities in Greece via Viator
- Find guided experiences and day trips via GetYourGuide
- Compare car hire prices in Greece via DiscoverCars