Occasionally emergency helicopters land on Hydra, and you can hire a helicopter to bring you to the island from AIA. However the operator will have to obtain specific permission from the local authorities on the island to land. If you want to get to Hydra in the shortest amount of time possible (about 20 mins flying time) you can book a helicopter (depends on time of day as to whether you can land on Hydra or have to put in at Porto Heli on the mainland and then get a water taxi across to the island), but you need to add a couple of thousand Euros to your holiday costs. Please visit Windmill Street Travel for more info and reservations.

It is not possible to fly direct to Hydra because there isn't an airport or even anywhere level enough for a small plane to land on! The closest airport to the island is Athens International Airport which is about one and a half hours travelling time from Piraeus. Follow the sub-menu links on the left to find a suitable carrier and to find out about the facilities of AIA.

Make sure you bring sensible footwear with you when you come to Hydra because there are NO VEHICLES (well, just two rubbish trucks that you wouldn't want to be in). There are no mopeds, no cars and ONLY DONKEYS for hire if you don't want to walk. Donkeys don't just carry visitors and their luggage, they're used in every activity of life on Hydra. Seasoned travellers to Hydra are more likely to carry their own bags to their accommodation.

During high season you'll find a collection of what look like large fishing boats or caiques that are used to ferry people back and forth from the beaches. They're all moored on the harbour opposite the clock tower.

There are lots of caiques all going to different beach locations. Just look at the boards or stand in front of one and ask for your choice of destination. You'll quickly be pointed to the right boat.

Prices are per person per destination and advertised on the quayside boards. For 2006 it is €2.00 for a single ticket from Hydra Harbour to Vlichos. Sometimes you have to wait a long time before the boat goes as the owner will won't leave until it's as full.

If your accommodation is in on the coast at Kamini, Vlichos or or Mandraki, you will need a water taxi to take you round the coast. Water taxis are small motor boats, moored in the east corner of the harbour where the flying dolphins, cats and catamarans arrive. You can hire by the journey to get round to different parts of Hydra's coast or across to the mainland and neighbouring islands.