Getting from Chania to Ios

If you are heading to Ios from Chania you are making your way from the most intimate of Crete's three main cities to an island in the southern Cyclades, to the north. It has some of the finest beaches in the Cyclades on its south coast and a Chora above the port that comes alive in the evening.

Take the ferry

There is a seasonal direct ferry from Chania to Ios running in summer on the wider Blue Star and Seajets routes. The service runs a limited number of times per week and takes several hours with stops along the way. It is one of the more natural sea connections between Crete and the southern Cyclades and avoids going through Athens entirely. Alternatively take the overnight ferry from Chania to Piraeus and then the Piraeus to Ios ferry, which runs multiple times daily in summer and takes around 4 to 7 hours.

Getting there by air

Ios has no airport. The nearest airport is Santorini. Chania has an international airport with connections from Athens. Flying from Chania to Athens and then Athens to Santorini, followed by the short ferry from Santorini to Ios taking around 35 minutes, gives a total journey time of around 5 to 6 hours. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Your best option

Take the seasonal direct ferry from Chania to Ios when the schedule works for your dates. It avoids Athens entirely and is the most enjoyable approach. If the timing does not align, fly from Chania to Athens and then fly to Santorini and take the short ferry across to Ios. If you are traveling with a car, take the overnight ferry from Chania to Piraeus and board the conventional Piraeus to Ios ferry, which takes your vehicle directly to the island.