Getting from Crete to Patras

If you are heading to Patras from Crete you are making your way to the third largest city in Greece and the main gateway to the Ionian islands and western Europe, a working port city on the southern shore of the Gulf of Corinth with a Venetian castle above the centre and the largest carnival in Greece.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Crete to Patras. Getting there by sea means taking the overnight ferry from Crete to Piraeus and then travelling by road west to Patras, which takes around 2 to 2.5 hours from Athens via the E65 motorway. The total journey by this route takes the better part of a day.

Getting there by air

Patras has no airport. The nearest airport is Athens. Flying from Crete to Athens takes around 50 minutes and then the drive or bus to Patras takes around 2 to 2.5 hours. Total travel time is around 4 to 5 hours.

Your best option

Fly to Athens and drive or take the KTEL bus to Patras. The bus from Athens Kifissos terminal runs frequently and takes around 2.5 to 3 hours. If you are heading to Patras to connect to the Ionian islands or to Italy, the ferry connections from Patras are extensive and run year-round.