How to travel from Chania to Athens, Greece

The distance between Chania and Athens is around 286km (178 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to fly which takes around 2h 10m.

3 routes found

We've found 3 different ways to get from Chania to Athens 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 AthensChania if you're planning a return trip.

🚀 Fastest
1
plane
+

Fly

Fly from Chania (CHQ) to Athens (ATH).

  • Duration2h 10m
  • Flight time1hr
  • Typical cost
    €105($105)
Operated by

Sky Express

+ 1 others
2
ferry
+

Ferry

Take a ferry to Piraeus.

  • Duration8h 20m
  • Departsonce daily
  • Typical cost
    €61($61)
💰 Cheapest
3
bus
+
bus
+

Bus

Take the bus to Heraklion and then to Athens Agiou Konstantinou.

  • Duration14h 35m
  • Departstwice a week
  • Typical cost
    €15($15)
Operated by

Multiple bus operators

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Chania and Athens

There are several options for getting from Chania to Athens by ferry, bus and plane. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around €15 ($15) and will take around 14h 35m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can fly and arrive in approximately 2h 10m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately €105 ($105).

The distance between Chania and Athens is around 286km (178 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 276km (172 miles)

It takes around 8h 20m to get from Chania and Athens by ferry.

The quickest way to get from Chania to Athens is to fly which takes around 2h 10m and will set you back approx €105 ($105).

The cheapest way to travel between Chania and Athens is to take the bus which will typically cost around €15 ($15) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

There is no train service that runs between Chania and Athens. We recommend that you fly from Chania (CHQ) to Athens (ATH). instead which will take 2h 10m.

Bus travel

Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Chania and Athens. It typically takes around 14h 35m and departs twice a week.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Chania to Athens. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Heraklion and Heraklion Central Bus Station. These services run twice a week and will take a minimum of 14h 35m.

KTEL Chanion-Rethymnou S.A and Citylines run regular bus services between Chania and Athens. Buses run twice a week and take around 14h 35m on average but will vary depending on you book with.

Ferry/Boat travel

Yes there is a ferry service that runs between Chania and Athens. The ferry typically takes around 8h 20m and departs once daily.

Blue Star Ferries run the ferry services between Chania and Athens. Ferries run once daily and take around 8h 20m on average but will vary depending on conditions and travel date.

Flights and Airlines

Yes you can fly from Chania and Athens. Flights depart from Chania (CHQ) and arrive at Athens (ATH). The flight takes around 1hr.

Yes there is a direct flight between Chania and Athens with no stop-overs required. Flights typically take around 1hr.

Sky Express and Aegean Airlines fly between Chania and Athens. Flights depart from Chania (CHQ) and and arrive into Athens (ATH). These flights usually take around 1hr.

The flight from Chania to Athens typically takes around 1hr. Flights depart from Chania (CHQ) and and arrive into Athens (ATH).

The closest major airport to Athens is Athens International Airport (ATH) (ATH) which is approximately 20km (12 miles) from Athens. Skiros Airport (SKU) (SKU) and Skiathos Airport (JSI) (JSI) are also nearby and might be a better alternative airport depending on where you are flying from.

Drive yourself

No, its not really possible or feasible to drive from Chania to Athens. We recommend that you take a ferry to Piraeus. instead which will take 8h 20m.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Chania to Athens is to take a ferry which takes, on average, 8h 20m and will usually cost around €61 ($61).

How do I get from Chania to Athens

Compare travel optionsbetween Chania and Athens

Transport options from Chania to Athens
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Fly
2h 10m
€105($105)
hourly315km (196 miles)
Ferry
8h 20m
€61($61)
once daily286km (178 miles)
Bus
14h 35m
€15($15)
twice a week508km (315 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Chania and Athens

Airlines

Bus companies

Ferry operators

Airports near Athens

The following major airports near Athens offer regular flights to various popular destinations within Greece and internationally.

ATH
Athens International Airport (ATH)
International Airport
Distance
20km (12 miles) from Athens
SKU
Skiros Airport (SKU)
Domestic Airport
Distance
127km (79 miles) from Athens
JSI
Skiathos Airport (JSI)
Domestic Airport
Distance
134km (83 miles) from Athens