Getting from Chania to Astakos

If you are heading to Astakos from Chania you are making your way from the most intimate of Crete's three main cities to a port town on the western coast of central Greece, on the opposite side of the country. Astakos sits on a quiet bay surrounded by hills and is the departure point for ferries to Kefalonia and Ithaca.

Getting there by air

Astakos has no airport. The nearest airport is Athens. Chania has an international airport with connections from Athens. Flying from Chania to Athens and then driving or taking the KTEL bus to Astakos, which takes around 3.5 to 4 hours from Athens via the E65 motorway and Agrinio, gives a total journey time of around 6 to 7 hours. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Chania to Astakos. Getting there by sea means taking the overnight ferry from Chania to Piraeus, which takes around 8 to 9 hours, and then driving or taking the KTEL bus to Astakos, which takes around 3.5 to 4 hours from Athens. The total journey takes the better part of two days.

Your best option

Fly from Chania to Athens and drive or take the KTEL bus to Astakos. It is the most practical approach. If you are traveling with a car, take the overnight ferry from Chania to Piraeus and drive northwest to Astakos via the E65 motorway and Agrinio.