Karpathos Getting there & around

Getting around

Boat

Excursion boat

In summer there is a daily excursion boat from Pigadia to Diafani (return including the bus to Olymbos €20, one way excluding the bus to Olymbos €8). There are also frequent boats to the beaches of Kyra Panagia and Apella (€10). Tickets can be bought at the quay.

From Diafani, excursion boats go to nearby beaches and occasionally to the uninhabited islet of Saria, where there are some Byzantine remains.

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Car & motorcycle

Car, motorcycle & bicycle

On the east side of Pigadia, Rent a Car Circle (22450 22690; 28 Oktovriou) rents cars and motorcycles. Possi Travel (22450 22148; possitvl@hotmail.com; Apodimon Karpathion) also arranges car rental.

The precipitous, and at times hairy, 19.5km stretch of road from Spoa to Olymbos is being slowly graded and will one day be sealed. You can drive it with care; do not tackle this road by motorcycle or scooter. If you rent a vehicle and plan to drive to Olymbos, opt for a small jeep and fill up your tank before you leave.

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Bus & tram

Bus

Pigadia is the transport hub of the island; a schedule is posted at the bus terminus (22450 22338; M Mattheou). Buses (€1.50 to €2) serve most of the settlements in southern Karpathos, including the west-coast beaches. There is no bus between Pigadia and Olymbos or Diafani in the north, but in summer a bus meets the excursion boats from Pigadia at Diafani and connects to Olymbos.

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Local transport

Taxi

Pigadia’s taxi rank (22450 22705; Dimokratias) is close to the centre of town. A price list is displayed. A taxi to Ammoöpi costs €8, the airport €15, Arkasa and Pyles €16, and Kyra Panagia €20.

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