Getting from Thessaloniki to Rethymno

If you are heading to Rethymno 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

Rethymno has no airport. The nearest airports are Heraklion, around 80 kilometres to the east, and Chania, around 60 kilometres to the west. Thessaloniki has an international airport with connections to Athens and seasonal direct flights to both Heraklion and Chania in summer. Flying from Thessaloniki to Chania and then taking the bus to Rethymno, which takes around 1 hour, gives a total journey time of around 3 to 4 hours when the direct service is running. Chania Airport is slightly closer to Rethymno and the road between them is a good one.

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, followed by the bus to Rethymno taking around 1 hour. The drive from Thessaloniki to Piraeus takes around 5 to 6 hours via the E75 motorway.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Thessaloniki to Rethymno. Getting there means traveling to Piraeus for the overnight ferry to Chania and then taking the bus to Rethymno.

Your best option

Fly directly from Thessaloniki to Chania when the seasonal service is running and take the bus to Rethymno. 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 with Rethymno well placed as your first stop.