Getting from Thessaloniki to Chania

If you are heading to Chania from Thessaloniki you are making your way from the second largest city in Greece 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.

Getting there by air

Chania has an international airport with daily connections from Athens and seasonal direct flights from Thessaloniki in summer. When the direct service is running the flight takes around 1 hour 10 minutes making it one of the most convenient connections from Thessaloniki to Crete. Check the schedule carefully as direct flights are seasonal. Alternatively fly from Thessaloniki to Athens and then Athens to Chania.

Take the train, bus or drive

Thessaloniki is connected to Athens by train, taking around 4 to 5 hours, and by KTEL bus, taking around 5 to 6 hours. From Athens the overnight Piraeus to Chania ferry departs around 9pm and arrives at Souda port in the morning after around 8 to 9 hours. The drive from Thessaloniki to Piraeus takes around 5 to 6 hours via the E75 motorway. All three options suit travelers with a car as the conventional ferry takes vehicles directly to western Crete.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Thessaloniki to Chania. Getting there by sea means traveling to Piraeus for the overnight ferry to Chania.

Your best option

Fly directly from Thessaloniki to Chania when the seasonal service is running. It is the fastest and most practical approach. When direct flights are not available, fly from Thessaloniki to Athens and then Athens to Chania. If you are traveling with a car, drive from Thessaloniki to Piraeus via the E75 motorway and take the overnight Piraeus to Chania ferry, which takes your vehicle directly to western Crete and arrives in the morning ready to go.