Getting there.

The semi-native way to Volos.

Volos sits on the Greek mainland between Athens and Thessaloniki, roughly halfway. There's no major international airport in the city itself — the nearest (Skiathos) operates seasonal flights only. For most sailors, Athens or Thessaloniki plus a bus is the simplest route. Arriving overland is part of the experience: Greece scrolls past the window.

1. Fly to Athens or Thessaloniki.

• Athens (ATH) — multiple direct daily flights from most European hubs. Modern, efficient airport. About 4 hours by bus to Volos.
• Thessaloniki (SKG) — fewer direct flights from northern Europe but only ~3 hours by bus. The faster route if you can get a direct flight.

Skiathos airport (JSI) runs direct seasonal charters from Northern Europe in summer — from Skiathos, a short ferry to Volos. Easiest if you can find the flights.

2. Airport → KTEL bus terminal.

Take a taxi. Fastest route, not expensive by Western European standards.

Athens → Kifissos KTEL terminal

• 30–40 minutes, €35–45, cash or card.
• Address: Kifisou 100, Athens (Kifissos Bus Terminal A).

Thessaloniki → Macedonia KTEL terminal

• 15–20 minutes, €20–25 by taxi.
• Address: Giannitson 244, Thessaloniki (Macedonia Inter-city Bus Terminal).

3. Bus to Volos.

KTEL is the Greek intercity bus network. Departures roughly every 1–2 hours in high season from both Athens and Thessaloniki.

Or: take the direct taxi — luxury start.

If you're filling the boat (typically 4–8 people), a private taxi straight from the airport to the Volos harbour is only modestly more expensive per head than airport-taxi-plus-KTEL-bus. You save 1–2 hours of transit time, skip the bag-change, and arrive onboard without stress. Especially good if you land late in the day and want dinner on the waterfront the same evening.

4. Arrival in Volos.

The Volos KTEL terminal is a 10-minute walk from the waterfront, or €5 by taxi with luggage. Xanemo is moored at ⟨placeholder: marina/quay name⟩.

Alex, the Odyssey manager in Volos, will meet you at the boat. Check-in is normally 5:00 PM; if you arrive earlier you can leave luggage and explore the town. Alex shows you the boat, walks through systems, hands over keys.

If you've ordered provisions via Odyssey, they'll already be onboard. You can sail out the same evening — the Volos bay is typically warmer than the outer Pagasitic gulf, so the breeze picks up as you head out.

5. Arriving late — go for tsipouro.

Volos is known for its tsipouradiko tradition: order a flask of tsipouro (Greek pomace brandy) and a stream of small meze plates arrives — fish, octopus, cheese, olives, vegetables — until you wave it off.

It's a Volos signature and lives on the waterfront. Recommended spots:

Practical notes.

• Timing: If possible, arrive the day before the charter starts. One night ashore means you're fresh for day 1 on the water.
• Luggage: Soft bags beat hard cases — storage onboard is limited. A weekend bag + small daypack per person is plenty.
• Cash: Carry €100–200 in small bills. Many tavernas and small shops prefer cash. Larger places take cards.
• Connectivity: EU roaming works fine; alternatively a Greek SIM (Cosmote at the airport).
• Shoes: Soft soles or barefoot onboard. Sandals ashore. Slick-soled leather is dangerous on a wet deck.

Questions?

Write directly — I usually reply same day.

Write about the trip →