Getting from Chania to Schinoussa

If you are heading to Schinoussa from Chania you are making your way from the most intimate of Crete's three main cities to one of the Small Cyclades, to the north. It has more than 18 beaches scattered around a coastline that you can walk across in an afternoon.

Take the ferry

There is a seasonal direct ferry from Chania to Schinoussa running in summer on the wider Blue Star route that connects Crete with the Small Cyclades. The service runs a limited number of times per week and takes several hours with stops along the way. Alternatively take the overnight ferry from Chania to Piraeus and then either fly to Naxos and take the local Express Skopelitis ferry to Schinoussa, which takes around 2 hours and runs almost daily in summer, or take the Piraeus to Schinoussa ferry directly, which runs around 3 times a week and takes around 7 to 9 hours.

Getting there by air

Schinoussa has no airport. The nearest airport is Naxos. Chania has an international airport with connections from Athens. Flying from Chania to Athens and then Athens to Naxos, followed by the local ferry to Schinoussa, 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 Schinoussa 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 Naxos and take the local ferry across to Schinoussa. Give yourself at least two nights on Schinoussa and come with everything you need as facilities on the island are limited.