Getting from Chania to Psara

If you are heading to Psara from Chania you are making your way from the most intimate of Crete's three main cities to a small rocky island off the northwestern coast of Chios in the northeastern Aegean, on the opposite side of Greece. It has one of the most moving histories in Greece, almost entirely destroyed by the Ottoman fleet in 1824 and never fully recovered.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Chania to Psara. Psara is accessible only via Chios, with a daily local ferry from Chios main port taking around 3 hours. Getting there means taking the overnight ferry from Chania to Piraeus, which takes around 8 to 9 hours, and then flying to Chios, followed by the local ferry across to Psara. Alternatively fly from Chania to Athens and then fly to Chios.

Getting there by air

Psara has no airport. The nearest airport is Chios. Chania has an international airport with connections from Athens. Flying from Chania to Athens and then Athens to Chios, followed by the local ferry to Psara taking around 3 hours, gives a total journey time of around 6 to 7 hours. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Your best option

Fly from Chania to Athens and then fly to Chios and take the local ferry across to Psara. Check the daily ferry schedule from Chios before booking your flights and plan your Chios arrival around the morning departure. Give yourself at least two nights on Psara and bring everything you need with you.