Getting from Chania to Patmos

If you are heading to Patmos from Chania you are making your way from the most intimate of Crete's three main cities to an island in the northern Dodecanese group, where John the Apostle wrote the Book of Revelation and the 11th century monastery of Saint John the Theologian above Chora is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Take the ferry

There is a seasonal direct ferry from Chania to Patmos running in summer on the wider Blue Star route that connects Crete with the northern Dodecanese. The service runs a limited number of times per week and takes many hours with stops along the way. Alternatively take the overnight ferry from Chania to Piraeus and then board the overnight Piraeus to Patmos ferry, which runs 3 to 5 times a week and takes around 7 to 8 hours. Flying via Leros is considerably more practical for most travelers.

Getting there by air

Patmos has no airport. The nearest airports are Leros and Kos. Chania has an international airport with connections from Athens. Flying from Chania to Athens and then Athens to Leros, followed by the short ferry from Leros to Patmos taking around 1 hour, 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 Leros and take the short ferry across to Patmos. It is the most practical approach. 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 Patmos ferry, which takes your vehicle and arrives in the morning.