Getting from Chania to Halkidiki

If you are heading to Halkidiki from Chania you are making your way from the most intimate of Crete's three main cities to a three-pronged peninsula southeast of Thessaloniki in northern Greece, with Kassandra in the west for long sandy beaches, Sithonia in the middle for quieter waters and the monastic peninsula of Athos in the east.

Getting there by air

Halkidiki has no airport. The nearest airport is Thessaloniki, around 60 to 90 kilometres from the various parts of the peninsula. Chania has an international airport with connections from Athens and seasonal direct connections from Thessaloniki. Flying from Chania to Thessaloniki directly avoids Athens entirely and gives a total journey time of around 3 to 4 hours including the transfer to Halkidiki by rental car or KTEL bus. From Thessaloniki a rental car is essential for getting around Halkidiki comfortably.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Chania to Halkidiki. It is a mainland peninsula with no island ferry connections. Getting there by sea means taking the overnight ferry from Chania to Piraeus, which takes around 8 to 9 hours, and then traveling north to Thessaloniki by road or air, which takes around 5 to 6 hours from Athens. The total journey takes the better part of two days.

Your best option

Fly from Chania to Thessaloniki directly when the seasonal schedule allows, then rent a car at the airport. It avoids Athens entirely and is the most practical approach. If no direct flight is available, fly from Chania to Athens and then fly to Thessaloniki. Halkidiki is large and spread out enough that a car is essential for getting between beaches, villages and the different peninsulas.