Getting from Crete to Kythira

If you are heading to Kythira from Crete you are going to one of the most beautiful and most overlooked islands in Greece, a rugged island of stone villages, deep gorges and turquoise coves that sits between the Aegean and the Ionian and belongs to neither world entirely.

Take the ferry

There is a direct ferry from Crete to Kythira departing from Kissamos on the western coast of Crete, running a few times per week and taking around 3 to 3.5 hours to the port of Diakofti. This is one of the most practical and most underused connections in southern Greece and avoids going through Athens entirely. Check the schedule before planning around it as the frequency is limited.

Getting there by air

Kythira has its own small airport with connections from Athens. Flying from Crete to Athens takes around 50 minutes and then Athens to Kythira takes around 50 minutes, giving a total journey time of around 3 to 4 hours. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Your best option

Take the ferry from Kissamos if the schedule works for your dates. At around 3 to 3.5 hours it is a manageable trip and one of the few direct connections between Crete and the Ionian world. If the timing does not align, fly via Athens. Either way check the schedule in advance as both options have limited frequency.