Getting from Chios to Kylini

If you are heading to Kylini from Chios you are making your way from one of the most overlooked islands in the northeastern Aegean to a port town on the northwestern Peloponnese coast, on the opposite side of Greece. It has a long sandy beach and the medieval castle of Chlemoutsi nearby, one of the best preserved Frankish fortifications in Greece.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Chios to Kylini. 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 west to Kylini, which takes around 3 to 3.5 hours from Athens via the E65 motorway and Patras. The total journey takes the better part of two days.

Getting there by air

Kylini has no airport. The nearest airport is Athens. Chios has its own airport with daily connections from Athens. Flying from Chios to Athens and then driving west to Kylini gives a total journey time of around 6 to 7 hours. Flying is not a practical option beyond the initial Athens connection for this route. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Your best option

Fly from Chios to Athens and drive west to Kylini via the E65 motorway through Corinth and Patras. It is the most practical approach. Kylini is the main departure point for ferries to Zakynthos and Kefalonia, making it a useful hub if you are continuing your journey into the Ionian islands. If you are traveling with a car, take the overnight ferry from Chios to Piraeus and drive west to Kylini via Patras.