Getting from Astypalaia to Rethymno

If you are heading to Rethymno 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 Rethymno. Rethymno's port receives very limited ferry connections and only operates seasonal services from Piraeus and Milos. The most practical sea approach is to take the ferry from Astypalaia to Naxos and then the direct Naxos to Heraklion ferry, which takes around 8 hours in total, followed by the bus from Heraklion to Rethymno taking around 1 hour. Alternatively take the ferry from Astypalaia to Piraeus and board the overnight Piraeus to Chania ferry, followed by the bus to Rethymno.

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. Astypalaia has its own small airport with connections from Athens. Flying from Astypalaia 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

Fly from Astypalaia 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 Astypalaia 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.