Getting from Chania to Telendos

If you are heading to Telendos from Chania you are making your way from the most intimate of Crete's three main cities to a tiny car-free island sitting just 800 metres off the western coast of Kalymnos in the Dodecanese group, on the opposite side of Greece. It has some of the finest rock climbing in the Dodecanese on the limestone cliffs above it and a waterfront of tavernas facing across the narrow channel to Kalymnos.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Chania to Telendos. Telendos is accessible only by local boat from Myrties on the western coast of Kalymnos, with boats running every 30 minutes throughout the day and the trip taking around 5 minutes. Getting there means taking the overnight ferry from Chania to Piraeus, which takes around 8 to 9 hours, and then flying to Kalymnos, followed by a taxi to Myrties and the short local boat across to Telendos. Alternatively fly from Chania to Athens and then fly to Kalymnos.

Getting there by air

Telendos has no airport. The nearest airports are Kalymnos and Kos. Chania has an international airport with connections from Athens. Flying from Chania to Athens and then Athens to Kalymnos, followed by a taxi to Myrties and the local boat to Telendos, 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 Kalymnos and make your way to Myrties for the local boat across to Telendos. The boats run regularly throughout the day and you do not need to book in advance. Give yourself at least two nights on Telendos. The island is small enough to walk around in an hour and tranquil enough to make you want to stay considerably longer.