Getting from Elafonisos to Chania

If you are heading to Chania from Elafonisos you are making your way from a small island off the southern Peloponnese coast to the most intimate of Crete's three main cities, with a Venetian old town of narrow lanes, a fortress above the sea and a long sandy beach running east from the town centre.

Take the ferry

Elafonisos has no ferry connection to the wider Greek ferry network. The only ferry from Elafonisos is the short 10 minute crossing to Pounta on the southern Peloponnese, which runs every 30 minutes in summer. Getting to Chania means taking the ferry from Elafonisos to Pounta and then driving north to Athens and either flying to Chania or continuing to Piraeus for the overnight Piraeus to Chania ferry, which departs around 9pm and arrives at Souda port in the morning after around 8 to 9 hours.

Getting there by air

Chania has an international airport with daily connections from Athens. Elafonisos has no airport. The nearest airport is Athens, around 3.5 to 4 hours by car from Pounta. Taking the ferry from Elafonisos to Pounta, driving north to Athens and flying from Athens to Chania takes around 50 minutes on the second leg. Total journey time is around 6 to 7 hours. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Your best option

Take the ferry from Elafonisos to Pounta, drive north to Athens and fly from Athens to Chania. It is the fastest and most practical approach. Having a car is essential for the Pounta to Athens leg as the KTEL bus connection is slow and infrequent. If you are traveling with a car, take the ferry from Elafonisos to Pounta and drive to Piraeus for the overnight Piraeus to Chania ferry, which takes your vehicle directly to western Crete and arrives in the morning ready to go.