Getting from Volos to Rethymno

If you are heading to Rethymno from Volos you are making your way from a city on the Pagasetic Gulf at the foot of the Pelion peninsula 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 Volos to Rethymno. Rethymno's port receives very limited ferry connections. Getting there by sea means driving from Volos to Piraeus, which takes around 3 to 3.5 hours via the E75 motorway, and then 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. Volos has a small airport at Nea Anchialos with limited connections from Athens. Driving from Volos to Athens and flying from Athens to Heraklion or Chania, followed by the bus to Rethymno, gives a total journey time of around 5 to 6 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

Drive from Volos to Athens and fly from Athens to Heraklion or Chania, then take the bus to Rethymno. It is the fastest and most practical approach. If you are traveling with a car, 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.