Getting from Andros to Rethymno

If you are heading to Rethymno from Andros you are making your way from the northernmost island in the Cyclades 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 Andros to Rethymno. Rethymno's port receives very limited ferry connections. The most practical sea approach is to take the seasonal direct ferry from Andros to Heraklion in summer, which runs a limited number of times per week and takes around 7 to 9 hours, and then take the bus from Heraklion to Rethymno, which takes around 1 hour. Alternatively, take the ferry from Andros to Rafina, drive to Piraeus and board the overnight Piraeus to Chania ferry, followed by the bus to Rethymno taking 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. Andros has no airport either. Taking the ferry from Andros to Rafina, flying to Athens and then Athens to Heraklion or Chania, followed by the bus to Rethymno, gives a total journey time of around 5 to 6 hours. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Your best option

Take the ferry from Andros to Rafina, fly to Athens and then fly to Heraklion or Chania and 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 ferry from Andros to Rafina, drive 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.