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Airport Transportation

Samos International Airport

Also known as: Samos Airport, Aristarchos of Samos Airport.

SMI · LGSM · Samos

Airport facts

Name
Samos International Airport
IATA code
SMI
ICAO code
LGSM
City
Samos
Country
Greece
Coordinates
37.6900, 26.9117
Time zone
Europe/Athens

About Samos International Airport

Samos International Airport "Aristarchos of Samos" (SMI) is the airport for the island of Samos, in the eastern Aegean, Greece. It sits on the south coast, within about 5 km (3 miles) of the harbor town of Pythagoreio, and also serves the island's capital, Samos Town (Vathy). In 2025 it handled about 500,000 passengers.

Aegean Airlines flies year-round to Athens, Olympic Air to Thessaloniki, and Sky Express to Thessaloniki, Rhodes and the neighboring islands of Chios, Lemnos and Mytilene. In summer, Jet2, TUI, Condor, Eurowings and Scandinavian charter flights bring visitors mainly from the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden and Denmark.

The single terminal has two floors and six boarding gates, with no jet bridges. The runway is fairly short, between mountains and sea, and strong northerly meltemi winds blow in summer.

From the airport, most visitors head to Pythagoreio, to Samos Town (Vathy) in the northeast, to Kokkari and the north coast, or west to Karlovasi and Marathokampos.

Airport operator, runways and traffic

Operator

Fraport Greece (40-year concession from 2017)

Runways

One (09/27)

Passengers per year

About 500,000 in 2025

Gates

Six, no jet bridges

Arrival tips for Samos International Airport

All flights arrive at the single terminal, and you walk or take a bus from the aircraft. Flights from Athens and other Schengen countries arrive without passport checks; if you come from outside the Schengen area, for example from the UK, you go through passport control, where non-EU visitors are registered in the EU's Entry/Exit System.

The terminal is small, so baggage claim is quick. Outside, taxis, car rental and pre-booked cars are the main ways to leave the airport. Pythagoreio is a short drive away; Samos Town (Vathy), Kokkari and the north coast take longer. Pre-booked drivers usually meet you outside arrivals.

Strong summer winds can occasionally delay flights, so keep some flexibility in your plans.

Greece is on Eastern European Time (EET), two hours ahead of the UK, and uses the euro.

Ground transportation

Taxis, pre-booked cars and rental cars are the usual way to leave the airport.

  • Taxi from Samos airport

    Taxis wait outside the terminal. Pythagoreio is a short ride; Vathy and the north coast take longer.

  • Private transfer

    A pre-booked car meets you outside arrivals, useful for Kokkari, Karlovasi, villas and families with luggage.

  • Car rental

    Rental cars are popular for exploring the island's beaches and villages.

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Terminals

Terminal

One terminal on two floors, with six boarding gates, a duty-free shop and a café.

Airlines and destinations

International routes run mainly in summer.

Aegean Airlines

Athens

Airline guide

Condor

Germany (seasonal)

Airline guide

Eurowings

Germany (seasonal)

Airline guide

Jet2

The UK (seasonal)

Airline guide

Olympic Air

Thessaloniki

Airline guide

Sky Express

Chios, Lemnos, Mytilene, Rhodes, Thessaloniki

Airline guide

TUI Airways

Europe (seasonal)

Airline guide

Frequently asked questions

Where is Samos airport?

Samos International Airport is on the south coast of the island, within about 5 km of Pythagoreio. It also serves the capital, Samos Town (Vathy), in the northeast, which is a longer drive.

Which airlines fly to Samos?

Aegean Airlines flies year-round to Athens, Olympic Air to Thessaloniki, and Sky Express to Thessaloniki, Rhodes, Chios, Lemnos and Mytilene. In summer, Jet2, TUI, Condor, Eurowings and Scandinavian charters fly from northern Europe.

How do I get from Samos airport to Kokkari?

Kokkari is on the north coast, beyond Samos Town. A taxi, pre-booked transfer or rental car is the easiest way from the airport, as the drive crosses the island.

Do winds affect flights at Samos?

Sometimes. The runway lies between mountains and sea, and strong northerly meltemi winds blow in summer, which can occasionally delay flights.

How big is Samos airport?

Samos has one terminal on two floors with six boarding gates and no jet bridges. It handled about 500,000 passengers in 2025, most of them in summer.

Why book with Airport Transportation?

We provide private transportation from any airport to any hotel at the best price, and we are licensed with complete insurance liability.

Is the transportation private or shared?

Airport Transportation provides private transportation only, in vans, luxury SUVs, or semi-buses.

Are prices per person or per vehicle?

Prices on our website are per vehicle, not per person, based on a range of passengers.

How many people can a van carry?

Regular vans carry up to 9 passengers, semi-buses up to 16, and luxury SUVs up to 6 passengers.

How do I find you at the airport?

Walk all the way out of the airport. You'll see representatives holding boards. Look for the Airport Transportation logo or your name.

What kind of vehicles do you use?

Commonly Toyota Hiace, Volkswagen Transporter, Mercedes Sprinter, Volkswagen Crafter, Chevrolet Tahoe, and Chevrolet Suburban.

Do you have insurance?

Yes. We carry insurance with complete liability for all passengers while using our services.

Do you provide baby seats?

Baby seats are provided with prior notice, subject to availability, one seat maximum per vehicle.

How far in advance should I book?

You can book any time in advance; we suggest one week to one day ahead. Same-day reservations are available.

What payment methods are accepted?

PayPal is our main payment method; a cash option is also available when booking through our website. Credit cards are accepted through PayPal.

Do vehicles have air conditioning?

Yes. For your comfort all our units have air conditioning.

What if my flight is delayed?

During booking we ask for your airline and flight number so we can track delays and wait for you.

Can I make stops during my ride?

Yes, you can add an extra stop to your service during the booking process.

Do children pay differently than adults?

No. Prices are set per passenger range or per vehicle, not per age.

Is my reservation refundable?

Yes. Cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before your pick-up and you are refunded in full. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before service are not refundable.

Do drivers speak English?

Yes. While their English may not be native-level, drivers have the skills to communicate with passengers.

Are tips mandatory?

Tips are not mandatory but are highly recommended; drivers earn them through service quality.

What currencies are accepted?

All prices are in USD. Via PayPal you can pay in almost any currency; cash payments accept USD only.

Are pets allowed?

We can transport domestic pets kept in cages that fit in a normal vehicle.

Is there room for luggage?

Yes. There is plenty of room for one suitcase and one carry-on per person.

What is included in the price?

Every private transfer includes a professional, licensed driver; an insured, well-maintained vehicle; real-time flight monitoring; meet-and-greet service at arrivals; and door-to-door service with no hidden fees added after booking. Your fixed price covers the full route to your destination.

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