Getting from Chania to Kythira

If you are heading to Kythira from Chania you are making your way from the most intimate of Crete's three main cities to an island at the southern tip of the Peloponnese, between the Aegean and the Ionian seas. It has stone villages, deep gorges, a Venetian castle above Chora and a coastline of turquoise coves.

Take the ferry

There is a direct ferry connection from Chania to Kythira via Kissamos port in western Crete. The ferry runs from Kissamos through Antikythera to Kythira and takes around 3.5 to 4 hours from Kissamos to Kythira. Kissamos is around 40 kilometres west of Chania and easily reached by bus or taxi. This is the most natural and direct sea connection from the Chania area to Kythira and runs several times a week in summer, making it one of the most convenient island connections from western Crete.

Getting there by air

Kythira has its own small airport with daily connections from Athens. Chania has an international airport with connections from Athens. Flying from Chania to Athens and then Athens to Kythira takes under 1 hour on the second leg. Total journey time is around 4 to 5 hours. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Your best option

Take the bus or taxi from Chania to Kissamos and board the ferry to Kythira. It is the most natural and enjoyable approach at around 3.5 to 4 hours from Kissamos and avoids Athens entirely. Check the schedule before traveling as the service runs only a few times per week. If you prefer to fly, take the flight from Chania to Athens and then fly to Kythira. If you are traveling with a car the Kissamos ferry takes your vehicle directly to Kythira.