The quickest way to Rethymno from Athens is a 55 minute flight to Chania followed by about an hour and a quarter on the road. Heraklion works just as well from the other side of town. Ferries from Piraeus take longer, and a newer route stops in Milos before docking right in Rethymno's own harbor.
How do you get to Rethymno from Athens?
Rethymno has no airport of its own. It sits roughly midway along Crete's north coast, between the island's two main airports. Chania Airport is about 47 miles (75 km) from the Rethymno Marina, and Heraklion is about 53 miles (85 km). That position makes the town an easy base: you can land at one end of the island and fly home from the other without doubling back.
From Athens, that leaves three realistic routes. You can fly to Chania, fly to Heraklion, or take a ferry from Piraeus, the city's big port.
Flying via Chania
Flights from Athens International Airport to Chania take 55 minutes, and the drive on to Rethymno takes 1 hour and 19 minutes. No other route gets you there faster.
Flying via Heraklion
Athens to Heraklion flights run daily and take about 52 to 54 minutes. From the airport, the road follows the BOAK highway around Heraklion and then runs west along the coast to Rethymno.
Mixing airports is easy. You can fly into Heraklion and home from Chania, for example. Just book the Chania flight as a separate route.
Taking the ferry from Piraeus
A newer Seajets route from Piraeus stops in Milos and docks in Rethymno's own harbor. Confirm that it runs on your dates before you build a trip around it, and check whether your sailing offers cabins or takes vehicles.
Many more Piraeus ferries serve Crete, and the conventional ships take vehicles and offer cabins. Some Piraeus sailings dock at Heraklion or at Souda, the port for Chania, rather than at Rethymno, so read your ticket closely.
Is it better to take the ferry or fly to Rethymno?
Flying wins on time. The ferry makes sense when you want your own car on Crete or when you have a spare day to spend at sea.
- First trip, two adults, carry-on or a couple of bags: fly to Chania, then take the bus or a rental car.
- Family with kids and luggage: fly, then book a private transfer or collect a rental car at the airport. A taxi takes up to four passengers, a minivan up to eight and a minibus up to sixteen, depending on luggage.
- Bringing a car: take a conventional ferry to Heraklion or Souda and drive the rest of the way.
- Tight budget with time to spare: an economy ferry seat is an option, but plan for a bus or car transfer if your boat docks somewhere other than Rethymno.
How long is the ferry to Rethymno?
Seajets says its route via Milos takes 5 hours and 45 minutes, the shortest crossing from Piraeus to Rethymno. Other Piraeus to Rethymno sailings take noticeably longer. Piraeus to Chania takes 9 hours and 25 minutes.
Add the trip to Piraeus, which lies about 6 to 9 miles (10 to 15 km) from central Athens. Metro Line 1, the green line, runs from Monastiraki or Omonia to Piraeus station in around 20 to 30 minutes. From the airport, the metro takes roughly an hour and the X96 bus about 70 minutes. A taxi from central Athens takes about 30 minutes, depending on traffic.
Foot passengers should reach the port at least an hour before departure. Gate E3 is listed for the Chania ferries, and other Crete sailings may leave from different gates, so check your ticket and the displays on arrival. The port has Wi-Fi, ATMs, parking, taxis, restrooms and a ticket office.
How do you get to Rethymno from other islands?
Santorini has the established direct link. Boats leave Athinios Port twice a week in high season and arrive at Rethymno's port, with fewer sailings in low and mid season; check the timetable before you go.
Rethymno ferries are also listed to Mykonos, Paros, Naxos, Ios, Amorgos, Koufonissi, Milos, Syros, Folegandros, Sifnos and Serifos. Connections from Rethymno to the islands can vary, so confirm any route other than Santorini before you count on it. Heraklion is reachable from several islands and connects easily, so you can also sail there and finish by bus or car.
How do you get from the port or airport to your hotel?
From Rethymno port
If you land at Rethymno itself, you're nearly there. The port is at Sofokli Venizelou 37, within walking distance of the Old Town. The city center is about 650 feet (200 m) away, the taxi station about 100 feet (30 m) and the bus station about a third of a mile (500 m). Rethymno taxis answer at 28310-25000 and 28310-22316.
From Chania Airport
The airport bus connects Chania Airport with Chania, Rethymno and other destinations. The stop is across from the Departures area on the east side of the terminal, and you buy your ticket from the driver. KTEL also runs a bus route between Chania and Rethymno along the north coast. Check current departures on the official KTEL website, and buy in advance to get the departure time you want. For schedules or help, KTEL answers at 28210 93052 or [email protected].
If you'd rather be met, shared transfers start from $19 and private transfers from $42 (2026).
From Heraklion Airport or port
Taxis and buses serve Heraklion Airport around the clock, all year, and buses between Heraklion and Rethymno run easily along the north coast. A shared transfer starts from $18, and a private transfer starts from $134 per group of up to four (2026 prices).
If you plan to explore beyond town, a rental car from the airport is handy. Beaches, villages and gorges are a big part of a Crete trip. Preveli Beach is a 40 minute drive south of Rethymno, while Elafonissi and Balos are each about 2 hours away.
How do you book ferries to Rethymno?
Book online, either with the operator or through a ticket seller that compares the companies side by side. Search Piraeus to Rethymno first, then also try Piraeus to Heraklion and Piraeus to Chania, since those two ports are the main gateways on Crete's north coast. Fares change daily and depend on availability, and tickets bought on the day tend to cost more, so book as early as you can. Economy seats, airplane-type seats and cabins are priced separately, and the gap between them can be large.
Read the cancellation terms before you pay, because they vary by company. Extra luggage can cost a fee on many ferries, and some fast boats set a weight allowance per passenger, so check your ticket before you pack.
What do Americans need to know before traveling to Rethymno?
The U.S. State Department says U.S. citizens can enter Greece without a visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days, and your passport should have at least three months of validity beyond your planned departure date. Transportation strikes in Greece can interrupt public transit, taxis, seaports and airports. Pickpocketing and purse-snatching happen at popular tourist sites and on public transportation, especially the metro, which is worth remembering on the ride to Piraeus. If you plan to drive, Greek law requires a valid U.S. license, and insurance companies may require an international driver’s permit.
What should you check the day before you travel?
Confirm that your sailing or flight is still running, in case of a strike or a schedule change. Keep a printed or offline copy of your tickets, and put your passport and valuables in your carry-on. If you hire a car, keep your bags with you rather than in the parked car, since thieves in Greece target rental cars for passports and luggage.
Sources
- rome2rio.com (https://www.rome2rio.com/s/Athens/Rethymno), checked October 18, 2026
- omio.com (https://www.omio.com/ferries/athens/rethymno-adka3), checked October 18, 2026
- greeka.com (https://www.greeka.com/crete/rethymno/travel/), checked October 18, 2026
- ferryscanner.com (https://www.ferryscanner.com/en/ferry-routes/ferry-athens-rethimno), checked October 18, 2026
- omio.com (https://www.omio.com/ferries/rethymno/athens-7twt2), 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
- 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/rethymno), checked October 15, 2026
- seajets.com (https://www.seajets.com/media-center/news/2025/06/27/new-route-from-piraeus-to-rethymno-in-5-hours-and-45-minutes), checked October 15, 2026
- Hellenic Ministry of Culture, Odysseus (http://odysseus.culture.gr/h/1/eh155.jsp?obj_id=3310), checked October 15, 2026