Getting from Astypalaia to Chania

If you are heading to Chania from Astypalaia you are making your way from a butterfly-shaped island between the Cyclades and the Dodecanese 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 Astypalaia to Chania. Getting there by sea means taking the ferry from Astypalaia to Piraeus, which runs around 5 times a week and takes around 8 to 12 hours, and then boarding the overnight Piraeus to Chania ferry, which departs around 9pm and arrives at Souda port in the morning after around 8 to 9 hours. The total journey takes the better part of two days. Alternatively take the seasonal ferry from Astypalaia to Naxos and connect towards Crete from there.

Getting there by air

Chania has an international airport with daily connections from Athens. Astypalaia has its own small airport with connections from Athens. Flying from Astypalaia to Athens and then Athens to Chania takes around 50 minutes on the second leg. Total journey time is around 4 to 5 hours. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Your best option

Fly from Astypalaia to Athens and then fly to Chania. It is the fastest and most practical approach. If you are traveling with a car, take the ferry from Astypalaia to Piraeus and board the overnight Piraeus to Chania ferry, which takes your vehicle directly to western Crete and arrives in the morning ready to go.