Getting from Chania to Nisyros

If you are heading to Nisyros from Chania you are making your way from the most intimate of Crete's three main cities to one of the most geologically dramatic islands in the Dodecanese group, on the opposite side of Greece. The entire island sits inside a volcanic caldera and the crater at Stefanos is one of the most accessible volcanic landscapes in Europe.

Take the ferry

There is a seasonal direct ferry from Chania to Nisyros running in summer on the wider Blue Star route that connects Crete with the Dodecanese. The service runs a limited number of times per week and takes many hours with stops along the way through multiple islands before reaching Nisyros. Alternatively take the overnight ferry from Chania to Piraeus and then fly to Kos, followed by the local ferry from Kos to Nisyros taking around 1 to 1.5 hours.

Getting there by air

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

Your best option

Fly from Chania to Athens and then fly to Kos and take the local ferry across to Nisyros. Check the Kos to Nisyros schedule before booking your flights as the service does not run daily. If you prefer to travel by sea, check whether the seasonal direct ferry from Chania aligns with your dates as it avoids Athens entirely. If you are traveling with a car, take the overnight ferry from Chania to Piraeus and board the overnight Piraeus to Nisyros ferry, which takes your vehicle.