Getting from Chios to Kalamata

If you are heading to Kalamata from Chios you are making your way from one of the most overlooked islands in the northeastern Aegean to the capital of Messenia in the southern Peloponnese, on the opposite side of Greece. It has a renovated waterfront, good food and easy access to the Mani peninsula and the Byzantine ruins of Mystras.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Chios to Kalamata. Getting there by sea means taking the overnight Chios to Piraeus ferry, which runs around 3 times a week and takes around 9 hours, and then driving or flying south to Kalamata, which takes around 2.5 to 3 hours from Athens via Corinth and Tripoli. The total journey takes the better part of two days.

Getting there by air

Kalamata has an international airport with connections from Athens. Chios has its own airport with daily connections from Athens. Flying from Chios to Athens and then Athens to Kalamata takes around 55 minutes on the second leg. Total journey time is around 4 to 5 hours. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Your best option

Fly from Chios to Athens and then fly to Kalamata. It is the fastest and most practical approach. The KTEL bus from Athens Kifissos terminal to Kalamata runs several times daily and takes around 3 hours, which is a good alternative if you prefer not to fly the second leg. If you are traveling with a car, take the overnight ferry from Chios to Piraeus and drive south through the Peloponnese to Kalamata via Corinth and Tripoli.