Most travelers reach Chania through Athens, though many European cities also fly straight to this corner of Crete. From Athens, the plane is the quick, simple choice. The ferry from Piraeus sails overnight, so you can rest on board and arrive in Crete in the morning, and the ships also carry vehicles.
How do you get to Chania from Athens?
There are two real choices: the plane and the overnight boat. Both start in Athens, but they feel like different trips.
Check one thing before you plan around the boat. Minoan Lines lists its Piraeus to Chania line as temporarily suspended, while ANEK Lines runs the route once daily. Sailings change, so check current timetables before you go. Minoan's booking centre gives timetables and fares at +39 071 201708.
Flying from Athens
Athens International Airport (ATH) lies roughly half an hour from downtown, and taxis, private transfers, buses and the metro all connect the two. Ryanair, Sky Express and Aegean fly daily to Chania airport (CHQ), with departures spread through the day. The flight itself takes 55 minutes, plus airport and transfer time at both ends. Fares change with the date and how early you book, so compare them before you choose.
Taking the ferry from Piraeus
Ferries leave from Gate E3 of Piraeus port. Exact departure times appear when you book, and your reservation confirms the gate. Crossings from Piraeus are usually overnight on conventional ships that arrive at the port of Souda in Chania. They carry cars and foot passengers. You can choose a numbered airplane-style seat, economy or business class, or a cabin with a bed. Cabins cost more, but they give you a private place to sleep, and the restaurants and lounges on board help pass the evening. If you're awake as the ship pulls in, step out on deck to watch the sunrise over Crete.
Is it better to take the ferry or fly to Chania?
Door to door, the plane wins easily. Even with time set aside at the airports on both ends, the trip is far shorter than the ferry. The ferry takes a full night, plus the trip to Piraeus and check-in. Flying is also the safer bet in fall and winter, when weather can affect ferries.
The ferry still makes sense in three cases:
- You're traveling with family and a pile of luggage. Ferries are relaxed about bags, there's no need to squeeze your liquids into little plastic bags, and you'll have room for souvenirs on the way home.
- You're watching your budget. The ferry has generally been the cheapest way from Athens to Chania, and a seat costs less than a cabin. Compare current fares for both the boat and the plane before you decide.
- You're bringing a car or motorbike. Vehicles go on board, and the fare rises with what you bring.
How long is the ferry to Chania?
Plan on about 9 hours and 25 minutes from Piraeus. Times differ by boat. If you can sleep on a boat, that's a night's rest. If you have a morning tour booked on arrival, don't count on being fresh.
How do you book ferries to Chania?
Book early, since early booking often means lower fares. If you plan to sail back to Piraeus, buy both directions at once.
When its line is running, Minoan Lines has offered these discounts (check current terms before you book):
- 20% off passengers and vehicles on a return trip, when both directions are bought at the same time.
- 20% off for passengers 13 to 18.
- 50% off for children 5 to 12.
- Free deck passage for children up to 5, with 50% off other accommodation.
- 25% off for anyone 60 and over.
- 50% off accommodation (except Deluxe and A1 cabins) for students of Greek universities and for European Youth Card or ISIC holders, plus 20% off their accompanying cars and motorbikes.
- A 3 + 1 free offer in a 4-bed cabin, if at least two tickets are full fare and all four passengers share the cabin.
How do you get from central Athens to Piraeus?
Piraeus is about 25 minutes by car from the center, and a taxi or private transfer is easiest with bags. The metro works too. Line 1 (the Green Line) from Monastiraki station takes about 30 minutes and drops you between gates E5 and E6.
Chania ferries use Gate E3, so you'll need to move along the terminal. A free shuttle bus runs every 20 minutes from E7 to gates E1, E2 and E3. If you're driving, there's a free parking lot right by the seafront, though another lot charges. Piraeus is the largest port in Greece, so leave plenty of time. Foot passengers should arrive at least an hour before departure.
How do you get to Chania from other islands?
Milos in the Cyclades has a ferry route to Chania. From the Cycladic or Dodecanese islands, the usual plan is to sail to Heraklion, the capital of Crete, then continue west to Chania for about two hours by rental car, taxi or private transfer. Mykonos, Naxos and Paros have direct ferries to Heraklion, while boats from islands such as Amorgos, Syros and Folegandros stop at other islands along the way.
Chania also has direct boats from Kythira and Antikythira, and from Gythio on the mainland, mostly in summer. These boats arrive at Kissamos, on Crete's northwest coast.
Flying between islands means a stop in Athens, since flights to the Greek islands route through the capital.
How do you get to Chania from Thessaloniki or Europe?
Thessaloniki has a few weekly flights to Chania. Check whether yours is direct or connects in Athens.
From Europe, many cities fly straight to Chania, mostly in summer. If you're already in Europe, that can save you a stop in Athens. Athens connects easily too, so if your dates don't match a direct flight, you can fly there and continue by domestic flight or ferry.
How do you get from the port or airport to your hotel?
From Chania airport
The airport sits about 9 miles (14 km) from the city center, in the Akrotiri area, and Old Town is about a 20-minute drive away. Taxis are the easy choice with bags. The green suburban KTEL buses also run into the center, though they are the slowest option. Check the current schedule on the official KTEL site before you travel.
From Souda port
Souda lies roughly 4 miles (6.5 km) from central Chania. A taxi station and a bus station both sit about 330 feet (100 m) from the port. A taxi is often the better choice into the historic center, because parking in Old Town is hard if you have a car. The main bus station is a short walk from Old Town, which makes later day trips to Samaria Gorge and Rethymno easy.
From Kissamos
Kissamos lies about 25 miles (41 km) west of Chania town. Arrange your ride into town before your boat arrives.
What should Americans know before they go?
U.S. citizens can enter Greece without a visa for up to 90 days for tourism. Your passport should have at least three months of validity beyond your planned departure date. If asked, you must show proof of sufficient funds and a return or onward ticket. Carry your passport or a photo ID at all times.
Pickpocketing occurs at popular tourist sites and on public transport, especially the metro, so keep valuables close on the ride to Piraeus. Transportation strikes can interrupt public transit, taxis, seaports and airports.
If you're driving, Greek law requires a valid U.S. driver's license, and insurance companies may require an international driver’s permit. Thieves break into rental cars to steal passports, valuables and luggage, so don't leave them in the car.
Book the plane or the cabin as early as your plans allow. The day before you travel, check for strikes, look at the weather, and have your gate or terminal written down.
Sources
- rome2rio.com (https://www.rome2rio.com/s/Athens/Chania), checked October 18, 2026
- kimkim.com (https://www.kimkim.com/ab/getting-to-chania), checked October 18, 2026
- greeka.com (https://www.greeka.com/crete/chania/travel/), checked October 18, 2026
- omio.com (https://www.omio.com/ferries/athens/chania-jeeh8), checked October 18, 2026
- ferries.gr (https://www.ferries.gr/en/ferry-routes/piraeus-chania/), checked October 18, 2026
- U.S. Department of State (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Greece.html), checked October 15, 2026
- e-ktel.com (https://www.e-ktel.com/en/), checked October 15, 2026
- minoan.it (https://www.minoan.it/en/11-uncategorized/165-timetable-ferry-piraeus-chania), checked October 15, 2026
- anek.gr (https://www.anek.gr/en-gb/destinations/chania), checked October 15, 2026
- U.S. Department of State (https://travel.state.gov/content/tsg_aem/us/en/home/international-travel/travel-advisories/destination.grc.html), checked October 15, 2026
- Visit Greece (GNTO) (https://www.visitgreece.gr/en/islands/crete/chania), checked October 15, 2026