Travelling to Samos

Thomsonfly, the charter airline, fly direct from Gatwick and Manchester to Samos having taken over the route previously operated by XL Airways who collapsed in September 2008. Early booking is a good idea as these flights will get booked up by the major holiday companies.

As an alternative, it's very easy to fly to Athens and then use one of the daily hops from Olympic Airlines or Aegean Airlines. Olympic generally have four flights to Samos per day and Aegean have two.

Flights to Athens are readily available from many sources, including

As well as booking direct with the airline, you can always create an itinerary with one of the many online travel agents such as Expedia and Travelocity.

Samos International Airport is small but efficient at dealing with the influx of tourists and baggage handling is done quickly (generally to ensure the package tourists are 'processed' with maximum speed!). Departure is relatively well-run, depending on whether you are flying with one of the "package company" airlines or a scheduled flight. If you are flying with a "package airline" be prepared for long queues at check-in and ensure that you arrive with plenty of time prior to your flight.

Getting to Studios Ioanna from the airport

Samos Airport is approximately 30 to 40 minutes from Studios Ioanna. The actual travelling time is dependent upon many factors including the road works taking place at the time, getting stuck behind a coach or farm vehicle or stopping to admire the views!

There are two ways to get to us: by taxi or by rental car. Please see our details on booking either of these.

On arrival, most taxi drivers will stand in the Airport entrance hall (just after baggage reclaim) with a card proclaiming your name (or sometimes an approximation of!). If you hire a car, the rental firm will give you with details of where to meet their representative – generally, in the arrival hall – or they will leave your car in the airport car park with your name on the dashboard and the keys in an agreed location.

If you are driving to Studios Ioanna for the first time, it is ideal to have a map prior to arrival. Many rental firms will provide one but it is always best to be prepared.

To get to Limnionas:

  • drive out of the airport on to the main road that runs between Hora and Pithagorio (it is easy to find and well sign posted) and take a left turn towards Hora
  • as you enter Hora, you will see a left turn signposted for Pirgos; take this left
  • follow this road; it will take you through the villages of Gionides and Koumadarei and finally through the large village of Pirgos (around which is the main area on the island for honey production)
  • drive through Pirgos staying on the main road; the road will take you through some wonderful countryside and eventually crest the island to show the bay of Marathokambos
  • approximately four miles from Pirgos you should see a left turn signposted for Koumeika and Balos Beach; take this turn
  • follow this road down the hillside (lots of bends to have fun with!) to the village of Koumeika where you will see a right turn signposted Kambos; take this right turn
  • you can now follow this road all the way through to Kambos and Votsolakia (the largest tourist resort on this side of the island); once through Votsolakia, stay on the road, going past the wonderful beach of Psili Amos, and onto Limnionas
  • the road into Limnionas is a left turn and is signposted (along with some signs advertising the local tavernas!); Studios Ioanna is on the left hand side of the road opposite the mini market and is the first building you will see on the left hand side