Getting from Agistri to Rethymno

If you are heading to Rethymno from Agistri you are making your way from a small pine-covered island in the Saronic Gulf to the most intimate of Crete's three main cities, with a Venetian old town of narrow lanes, a fortress above the sea and a long sandy beach running east from the town centre.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Agistri to Rethymno. Rethymno's port receives very limited ferry connections, primarily a seasonal service from Santorini and occasional direct services from Piraeus during peak season. The most practical ferry approach is to take the Saronic ferry from Agistri to Piraeus, which takes around 55 minutes to 1 hour 35 minutes, and then board the overnight Piraeus to Chania ferry, which takes around 8 to 9 hours and arrives in the morning. From Chania the bus to Rethymno takes around 1 hour.

Getting there by air

Rethymno has no airport. The nearest airports are Heraklion, around 80 kilometres to the east, and Chania, around 60 kilometres to the west. Taking the Saronic ferry from Agistri to Piraeus, the metro to Athens Airport and flying to Heraklion or Chania, followed by the bus to Rethymno, gives a total journey time of around 5 to 6 hours.

Your best option

Take the Saronic ferry from Agistri to Piraeus and fly to Heraklion or Chania via Athens, then take the bus to Rethymno. Chania Airport is slightly closer to Rethymno and the road between them is a good one. If you are traveling with a car, take the Saronic ferry from Agistri to Piraeus and board the overnight Piraeus to Chania ferry, which takes your vehicle directly to western Crete with Rethymno well placed as your first stop.