Getting from Syros to Rethymno

If you are heading to Rethymno from Syros you are making your way from the capital of the Cyclades 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

There is no direct ferry from Syros to Rethymno. Rethymno's port receives very limited ferry connections. Getting there means taking the ferry from Syros to Piraeus, which runs up to 6 daily crossings in summer and takes around 2 hours on the fast boat, and then boarding the overnight Piraeus to Chania ferry, which departs around 9pm and arrives at Souda port in the morning after around 8 to 9 hours, followed by the bus to Rethymno taking around 1 hour. Plan your Syros departure carefully to allow enough time to reach Piraeus for the evening sailing.

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. Syros has a small domestic airport with limited connections from Athens. Taking the ferry from Syros to Piraeus, flying from Athens to Heraklion or Chania and then taking the bus to Rethymno gives a total journey time of around 6 to 7 hours. Chania Airport is slightly closer to Rethymno and the road between them is a good one. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Your best option

Take the ferry from Syros to Piraeus and fly from Athens to Heraklion or Chania, then take the bus to Rethymno. It is the most practical approach. If you are traveling with a car, take the ferry from Syros to Piraeus and board the overnight Piraeus to Chania ferry, which takes your vehicle directly to western Crete with Rethymno well placed as your first stop.