Nisyros from Kos: Volcano Tour or the Ferry on Your Own?
Updated October 20, 2026 · 5 min read
Nisyros is a small volcanic island you can reach from Kos in about 45 minutes to an hour by boat from Kardamena, on the south coast. You can book a tour from Kos Town, a cheaper tour from Kardamena, or just a ferry ticket. The ticket is the cheapest by far, but it leaves everything else to you.
The five options
| Option | Price per person | Rating | Reviews | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nisyros volcano and Panagia Spiliani, from Kos | €32 | 4.4 | 3,318 | 8 hours |
| Nisyros Island day trip from Kardamena | €20 | 4.3 | 316 | 7 hours |
| Nisyros, St Antonios and Yali sailboat cruise from Kardamena | €35 | 4.4 | 273 | 8 hours |
| Nisyros cruise with volcano and Nikia village from Kardamena | €32 | 4.3 | 116 | 7 hours |
| Ferry tickets between Kardamena and Nisyros | €10 | 4.6 | 297 | one-way or round trip |
What you are actually going to see
The headline is the crater. The descriptions promise you can walk into a volcanic crater and “experience lava rumbling beneath your feet”, which is dramatic wording, so read the booking page for what the crater visit involves. One operator page quotes an entrance fee of about €5 for the volcano, paid on the spot. Ask whether it is included in the price you book, because the listings we looked at do not say.
The other fixed points are Mandraki, the island’s port village, and the monastery of Panagia Spiliani above it. The Kardamena cruise to Nikia adds a second village. The sailboat cruise goes via St Antonios, small churches and a swim around the volcanic island of Yali.
Tour from Kos Town: €32
This is the most-reviewed Nisyros trip by a long way, with 3,318 reviews at 4.4. It costs €32, takes 8 hours and starts in Kos. The price is €12 more than the Kardamena day trip at €20. You are paying for not having to get yourself to the south coast.
Tour from Kardamena: €20 to €35
If you are staying in or near Kardamena, the choice is easy: the €20 day trip covers the same highlights. The listing gives you 5 hours on the island, and the other Kardamena trips are in the 7 to 8 hours range. From Kos Town you have to get to Kardamena first, by bus, taxi or a hire car, and that becomes part of the day.
The sailboat cruise at €35 is a different kind of trip. It is a swimming and lunch day with Nisyros as one stop, not a volcano day.
The ferry ticket: €10
The ferry is for people who want the island at their own pace. You can buy a one-way ticket in either direction or a round trip from Kardamena. Noon and evening sailings exist on selected options and days. Because the sailing days and times vary, check them before you plan the return.
What the ticket does not give you is a way to see the island. The crater is not in the port village, so you need a plan for how to reach it, such as a taxi arranged locally. Timetables and fares for that part are not in the listing, so do not assume it will be easy in the off season. If you cannot answer how you get back to the ferry, book a tour.
Which to pick
- Staying in Kos Town and want it simple: the €32 tour from Kos.
- Staying in Kardamena, or happy to get there: the €20 day trip.
- Not interested in the crater, want a swim and a lunch: the sailboat cruise.
- A hire car, a free day and a taste for organising: the €10 ferry, with a plan for the island.
None of these is a quick trip. If you only have a day and cannot decide between islands, the 3-island boat trip is easier on the legs, and the Bodrum day trip is the one that takes you abroad. All the excursions are on the Nisyros and Bodrum day trips page.
