Getting from Chania to Syros

If you are heading to Syros from Chania you are making your way from the most intimate of Crete's three main cities to the capital of the Cyclades, to the north. It has a neoclassical port city of grand mansions and an opera house modelled on La Scala that is one of the most distinctive urban environments in the Greek islands.

Take the ferry

There is a seasonal direct ferry from Chania to Syros running in summer on the wider Blue Star route that connects Crete with the central 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 the Piraeus to Syros ferry, which runs up to 6 daily crossings in summer and takes around 2 hours on the fast boat.

Getting there by air

Syros has a small domestic airport with limited connections from Athens. Chania has an international airport with connections from Athens. Flying from Chania to Athens and then Athens to Syros gives a total journey time of around 4 to 5 hours. However flights to Syros are limited so the ferry from Piraeus is often more practical after flying to Athens. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Your best option

Take the seasonal direct ferry from Chania to Syros 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 take the Piraeus to Syros ferry. At around 2 hours on the fast boat it is one of the quickest Cyclades connections from Athens. If you are traveling with a car, take the overnight ferry from Chania to Piraeus and board the conventional Piraeus to Syros ferry, which takes your vehicle directly to Ermoupolis port.