Getting from Zakynthos to Rethymno

If you are heading to Rethymno from Zakynthos you are making your way from one of the most beautiful of the Ionian islands 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. Zakynthos has an international airport with connections from Athens. Flying from Zakynthos to Athens and then Athens to Heraklion or Chania, followed by the bus to Rethymno taking around 1 hour, 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.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Zakynthos to Rethymno. No Ionian island is connected by sea to any Aegean island. Rethymno's port receives very limited ferry connections. Getting there by road means taking the ferry from Zakynthos to Kyllini and driving to Piraeus for the overnight Piraeus to Chania ferry, followed by the bus to Rethymno. The total journey by road and sea takes the better part of two days.

Your best option

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