Getting from Elafonisos to Rethymno

If you are heading to Rethymno 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. Rethymno's port receives very limited ferry connections. Getting there means taking the ferry from Elafonisos to Pounta, driving north to Piraeus and boarding the overnight Piraeus to Chania ferry, followed by the bus to Rethymno taking around 1 hour. Alternatively drive to Athens and fly to Heraklion or Chania and take the bus to Rethymno.

Getting there by air

Rethymno has no airport. The nearest airports are Heraklion, around 80 kilometres to the east, and Chania, around 60 kilometres to the west. 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, followed by the bus to Rethymno, gives a total journey time of around 7 to 8 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 Heraklion or Chania, then take the bus to Rethymno. Chania Airport is slightly closer to Rethymno and the road between them is a good one. 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 with Rethymno well placed as your first stop.