Getting from Elafonisos to Crete

If you are heading to Crete from Elafonisos you are making your way from a small island off the southern Peloponnese coast to the largest island in Greece, with ancient Minoan sites, mountain gorges, excellent food and a coastline that stretches for hundreds of kilometres.

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 Crete means taking the ferry from Elafonisos to Pounta and then driving north to Piraeus for the overnight Piraeus to Crete ferry, which departs around 9pm and arrives in Heraklion or Chania in the early morning after around 8 to 9 hours. Alternatively drive to Athens and fly to Crete.

Getting there by air

Both Heraklion and Chania have airports 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 Heraklion or 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 Crete. Choose Heraklion for central and eastern Crete, Chania for the west. 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 Crete ferry, which takes your vehicle directly to the island and arrives in the morning ready to go.