Getting from Chania to Alexandroupoli

If you are heading to Alexandroupoli from Chania you are making your way from the most intimate of Crete's three main cities to the far northeastern corner of Greece, a city on the Thracian coast close to the Turkish border and the gateway to Samothrace.

Getting there by air

Alexandroupoli has its own airport with connections from Athens. Chania has an international airport with connections from Athens. Flying from Chania to Athens and then Athens to Alexandroupoli takes around 1 hour 10 minutes on the second leg. Total journey time is around 5 to 6 hours including transfers. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Chania to Alexandroupoli. Getting there by sea means taking the overnight ferry from Chania to Piraeus, which takes around 8 to 9 hours, and then traveling by train to Thessaloniki and bus to Alexandroupoli, which adds another 8 to 9 hours. Alternatively take the overnight ferry from Chania to Piraeus and drive northeast via the Egnatia motorway to Alexandroupoli, which takes around 8 to 9 hours from Athens. The total journey by sea and road takes the better part of two days.

Your best option

Fly from Chania to Athens and then fly to Alexandroupoli. At around 5 to 6 hours total it is the fastest and most practical approach by a significant margin. If you are planning to visit Samothrace from Alexandroupoli, ferries depart daily in summer and take around 1 hour 45 minutes. If you are traveling with a car, take the overnight ferry from Chania to Piraeus and drive northeast via the Egnatia motorway to Alexandroupoli.