The gateway to Samothraki is the port city of Alexandroupoli from where there's a regular ferry service connecting the island to the mainland.
Getting to Alexandroupoli by car
If you are from Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Albania, North Macedonia or Turkey the easiest way to get to Samothraki is by car. Alexandroupoli is on Egnatia Odos, the great east to west Greek highway. It's well maintained and generally empty. There's no need to pay for a vigniette in Greece, but depending on where you enter the country there might be one or more toll stations along the way.
Coming from Romania
Find out more about traveling by car from Romania to Samothraki.
Coming from Bulgaria
Bulgaria shares a long border with Greece with multiple border points, so depending on where you live you might choose one or the other. The one from Makaza is closest to Alexandroupoli, is usually the least crowded and there is only one toll station along the way.
Coming from Turkey
Greece shares two land border points with Turkey (Edirne and Kesan). Both are well connected to the Greek road network and are reasonably close to Alexandroupoli.
Getting to Alexandroupoli by plane
Flying is the easiest way to get here from most international destinations. The city has a small domestic airport (AXD). So getting here involves a stop in Athens. An alternative would be to fly directly to Kavala or Thessaloniki and then renting a car from there. There are also buses and trains to Alexandroupoli, but the journey takes way too many hours to be considered practical.
Parking in Alexandroupoli
Although it's advisable to bring your car to the island, there are options to leave it in the safe and reasonably priced parking lot in the port.
On the island there are ways to get around without a car - like renting a scooter, taking the bus or a cab, or even hitchhiking.
Getting to Samothraki by ferry
Getting around the island
Ferry schedules to and from Samothraki in 2023
Samothraki bus schedules
Covid RT-PCR and rapid tests in Samothraki
Would it be painful to take busses to various spots on the island?
Thank you.
Martin
May I ask you if you could provide the exact location of the parking at the Alexandroupoli port (3 EUR/day)? Google maps link would be great. :) Thank you!
The parking is in the ferry port, to the right: maps.app.goo.gl/GNddUcgUPv6c9kDy8
The prices for this year changed: 2 EUR for the first hour, 1 EUR for the second hour and then +0,2 - + 0,5 EUR per hour. If you want to leave the car for 24 hours the price will be 10 EUR, so for 9 days the parking will cost you 90 EUR.
You can find the ferry schedules here:
www.insamothraki.com/ferry-schedules-to-and-from-samothrace.html
Usually in June you can buy the tickets directly from the ticket booth in the port of Alexandroupoli. If you want to be extra sure, you can buy them online.
Thanks:)
I think there's a bus at midnight, but please check with Ktel (you can change the language from the bottom left side) :
ktelmacedonia.gr/m/
Furthermore on the ferry website that you mention below there is only a timetable until the end of February. Is there anywhere a timetable for August to be found?
Thank you.
There is a Ktel bus which connects Kavala with Alexandroupoli - it departs at 10.15, 14.30, 18.30:
eticket.ktelevrou.gr/
You have the English language option to the left of the page. You can book tickets a couple of weeks before the departure.
As for the ferry timetable to Samothraki, most probably the summer schedules will be announced around April.