Getting from Zakynthos to Chios

If you are heading to Chios from Zakynthos you are making your way to an island in the northeastern Aegean, on the opposite side of Greece. It is famous above all for its mastic trees in the south of the island that produce a resin found nowhere else on earth.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Zakynthos to Chios. The two islands are on opposite sides of Greece with no sea connection between them. Getting there means taking the ferry from Zakynthos to Kyllini and then travelling by road to Piraeus for the Piraeus to Chios ferry, which runs 3 times a week and takes around 9 hours. The total journey by sea and road takes the better part of two days.

Getting there by air

Both Zakynthos and Chios have airports. Flying from Zakynthos to Athens and then Athens to Chios gives a total journey time of around 5 to 6 hours including the connection. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Your best option

Fly via Athens. It is the only realistic approach and considerably faster than any overland and sea combination. If you are travelling with a car, take the ferry from Zakynthos to Kyllini and drive to Piraeus for the overnight ferry to Chios.