The distance between Athens and Rethimno is around 380km (236 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to fly which takes around 2h 55m.
We've found 5 different ways to get from Athens to Rethimno by ferry, bus and plane. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.
👋 Also check out Rethimno → Athens if you're planning a return trip.
Fly from Athens (ATH) to Chania (CHQ).
Sky Express
+ 1 othersTake a ferry to Santorini and then to Rethymno.
2 similiar routes
We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.
Take the bus to Heraklion Central Bus Station and then to Rethymno.
Multiple bus operators
There are several options for getting from Athens to Rethimno by ferry, bus and plane. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around €37 ($37) and will take around 12h 30m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can fly and arrive in approximately 2h 55m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately €195 ($195).
The distance between Athens and Rethimno is around 380km (236 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 298km (185 miles)
It takes around 7h 45m to get from Athens and Rethimno by ferry.
The quickest way to get from Athens to Rethimno is to fly which takes around 2h 55m and will set you back approx €195 ($195).
The cheapest way to travel between Athens and Rethimno is to take the bus which will typically cost around €37 ($37) for a standard one-way ticket.
There is no train service that runs between Athens and Rethimno. We recommend that you fly from Athens (ATH) to Chania (CHQ). instead which will take 2h 55m.
Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Athens and Rethimno. It typically takes around 12h 30m and departs once a week.
There are no direct bus services that runs from Athens to Rethimno. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Heraklion Central Bus Station, Heraklion, Rethymno and Perivólia. These services run once a week and will take a minimum of 12h 30m.
Ilias Travel and KTEL Chanion-Rethymnou S.A run regular bus services between Athens and Rethimno. Buses run once a week and take around 12h 30m on average but will vary depending on you book with.
Yes there is a ferry service that runs between Athens and Rethimno. The ferry typically takes around 7h 45m and departs 3 times a week.
Seajets run the ferry services between Athens and Rethimno. Ferries run 3 times a week and take around 7h 45m on average but will vary depending on conditions and travel date.
Yes you can fly from Athens and Rethimno. Flights depart from Athens (ATH) and arrive at Chania (CHQ). The flight takes around 1hr.
Yes there is a direct flight between Athens and Rethimno with no stop-overs required. Flights typically take around 1hr.
Sky Express and Aegean Airlines fly between Athens and Rethimno. Flights depart from Athens (ATH) and and arrive into Chania (CHQ). These flights usually take around 1hr.
The flight from Athens to Rethimno typically takes around 1hr. Flights depart from Athens (ATH) and and arrive into Chania (CHQ).
The closest major airport to Rethimno is Chania International Airport (CHQ) (CHQ) which is approximately 36km (22 miles) from Rethimno. Heraklion International Airport (HER) (HER) and Santorini International Airport (JTR) (JTR) are also nearby and might be a better alternative airport depending on where you are flying from.
No, its not really possible or feasible to drive from Athens to Rethimno. We recommend that you take a ferry to Santorini and then to Rethymno. instead which will take 7h 45m.
If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Athens to Rethimno is to take a ferry which takes, on average, 7h 45m and will usually cost around €160 ($160).
Transport option | Duration | Cost | Frequency | Distance |
---|---|---|---|---|
Fly | 2h 55m | €195($195) | every 30 mins | 380km (236 miles) |
Ferry + 2 similar | 7h 45m | €160($160) | 3 times a week | 472km (293 miles) |
Ferry and Bus | 10h 10m | €76($76) | once daily | 383km (238 miles) |
Ferry to Heraklion, Bus | 20h 10m | €81($81) | once a week | 511km (317 miles) |
Bus | 12h 30m | €37($37) | once a week | 426km (265 miles) |
Ilias Travel
Sky Express
Aegean Airlines
The following major airports near Rethimno offer regular flights to various popular destinations within Greece and internationally.