Getting from Crete to Kos

If you are heading to Kos from Crete you are going to one of the most historically rich islands in the Dodecanese, the birthplace of Hippocrates, with good beaches, a lively town and ancient ruins that are among the finest in the eastern Aegean.

Take the ferry

There is a direct ferry from Crete to Kos running year-round, departing from Heraklion and taking around 7 to 9 hours depending on the vessel and the stops along the way. The overnight service is the practical approach, departing in the evening and arriving in the morning. The route also stops at Karpathos and Kasos on some sailings. Book ahead in July and August.

Getting there by air

Both Crete and Kos have airports. Flying from Crete to Athens takes around 50 minutes and then Athens to Kos takes around 1 hour, giving a total journey time of around 3 to 4 hours. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights. A direct seasonal flight between Heraklion and Kos may also be available so check before routing through Athens.

Your best option

Check whether the direct Heraklion to Kos flight is available for your dates. If it is, take it. If not, the overnight ferry from Heraklion is a comfortable option on the larger vessels and you arrive in Kos in the morning ready to go. Flying via Athens is the fastest approach if neither direct option is available.