Arrival on Andros: what to expect in Gavrio

Mr Flip Flops Included boarding the bus at Gavrio port, Andros, after arriving on the ferry

Gavrio is the location of the ferry port on Andros, on the island’s west coast. It’s the gateway to the rest of the island, and where you’ll get your first glimpse of what Andros is like.

Right in front of the port there’s a selection of cafés, restaurants and mini-markets, along with taxis and buses to onward destinations.  I’ve arrived at many ports and they can often be a bit of a stressful and hectic mess.  I found Gavrio to be a lot more calming, thankfully.

I arrived in Gavrio in mid-moring and was relieved to see buses waiting at the port. I was nervous they might have gone if the ferry was delayed, but they are actually timed to wait for the ferry arrivals.

The buses connect Gavrio with the two other main towns on Andros, Batsi and Chora, though outside the summer months services may be more limited.

Buses leave from a parking area to the left of the harbour, as you look towards the shops, with your back to the sea.  Look for Captain’s Car Rental and the bus area is opposite it.

Buses leave from over the road from this Captain’s Car Rental shop

Once you’re on the bus, you pay the ticket inspector onboard in cash, and there’s plenty of space under the bus for your luggage. 

The taxi rank hut at Gavrio port, Andros, Greece

There’s also a taxi rank in front of the harbour. This is useful if you do miss the bus, want to explore Gavrio first, or prefer a more comfortable ride.

Getting around Andros

Public bus sign at Gavrio port

Andros is the second largest island in the Cyclades, so getting around takes a bit of planning, especially if you want to explore beyond the main towns.

I spent two weeks travelling around Andros without a car, using buses, hiking, biking and taxis.

Although the bus routes are limited, I used them quite a bit and found them useful for getting between key spots. Just make sure to check the local bus timetables, as they change with the seasons.

On one day on my trip, I took the bus to get from Chora to Tis Grias To Pidima beach at Korthi. The journey took about half an hour longer than the advertised time, as the bus stopped to pick up passengers transferring from the bus from Batsi to Chora, but the views were beautiful whilst we waited.

I used some taxis on Andros to get around.  I found them to be very reliable and easy to book in English over WhatsApp. Fares were reasonable too, they worked out at roughly €1 per minute of travel for most journeys.  From Chora you can use Vicki Manesi Taxi: +30 698 052 8250.

Andros is also one of the best Cycladic islands for hiking. If you’re up for a slower pace, the walking trails are brilliantly marked.  Check the Andros routes website for details of all the hiking routes. I loved exploring many of the trails on my trip and they often lead to spots you wouldn’t see by car.

If you want to go a bit faster than walking, bicycle hire is available in Batsi and Chora. It’s a fun option for going on an outdoor adventure in Andros.  Although the island is hilly, so an e-bike is necessary.  I paid €35 per day from Riva Rentals in Chora.

Car hire or scooter hire is an option if you want to explore further afield.

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