Greece - Korina Miller [616]
to the Dodecanese
to Evia
to the Northeastern Aegean Islands
to the Saronic Gulf Islands
to the Peloponnese
Chios
Northeastern Aegean Islands; Click here
DOMESTIC FLIGHTS FROM CHIOS
BOAT SERVICES FROM CHIOS
Corfu
Ionian Islands; Click here
DOMESTIC FLIGHTS FROM CORFU
BOAT SERVICES FROM CORFU
Crete
Click here
AIR
Crete’s major Nikos Kazantzakis Airport in Iraklio receives the bulk of the island’s national and international flights, though Hania in the west is also busy. Sitia in the far northeast has been pegged for expansion, but remains much less used. For this reason, air tickets are sometimes cheaper from mainland Greece to Sitia, though you will want to factor in the cost of ongoing ground transport, logistics and time that will accrue if you are not planning on staying in this remote area.
To reach Crete by air from other Greek islands usually requires changing in Athens, except for some flights operated by newcomer Sky Express; the direct flight offers between Crete and other islands in the tables here are all offered by Sky Express. However, all travel agents and the online booking websites of the other individual airlines can provide actual cumulative prices that involve flying via Athens. Note, cheaper Sky Express flights restrict baggage to 12.5kg.
In the high season, it’s best to book in advance, as Crete is a very popular destination and tickets may sell out quickly for the dates you wish to travel. Remarkably, international direct flights to Crete are sometimes cheaper than flying to the island from elsewhere in Greece, even from Greek carriers themselves. Aegean Airlines has direct scheduled flights from Iraklio to Milan, Rome and other European cities, while Olympic serves even more airports abroad.
If coming from a Western European country, it may be possible to score a cheap seat on a charter flight operating for package tourists – without actually having to buy the rest of the package (accommodation, food etc.). However, you’ll have to check with a travel agency in such a country to see if it’s feasible.
European budget airlines are also starting to serve Crete in summer months.
BOAT
While ferry schedules to and from Crete tend to stay more stable than with other islands, you should always check ahead as routes and prices may change without much notice. Since Crete is such a large island, many visitors choose to drive while here; prices for bringing a car from Athens start at around €90.
Crete’s major ferry ports are all on the north coast. Iraklio is the major one, followed by Souda (for Hania), Rethymno and Sitia in the east. The small western port of Kissamos (Kastelli) exists exclusively to service Gythio in the Peloponnese and the nearby island of Kythira.
Crete also has several southern ports. From Paleohora and Hora Sfakion, it’s possible to visit the most southerly point in Europe, Gavdos, two hours south in the Libyan Sea. There’s also an important ferry route that hugs the coast between Paleohora and Hora Sfakion – otherwise separated by impassable mountains – making stops along the way at Sougia, Agia Roumeli and Loutro.
DOMESTIC FLIGHTS FROM CRETE
Finally, numerous minor excursion boats and boat taxis run by local travel agencies and even fishermen serve small coastal towns and satellite islands such as Paximadia and Gaidouronisi (Hrysi) in the south and Spinalonga in the north.
Information given in the below table pertains only to north-coast ports. For schedules, prices and other information involving the south-coast ports and local excursion boats, see the relevant sections of the Crete chapter (Click here).
BOAT SERVICES FROM CRETE
Donousa
Cyclades; Click here
BOAT SERVICES FROM DONOUSA
Evia
Evia & the Sporades; Click here
BOAT SERVICES FROM EVIA
Folegandros
Cyclades; Click here
BOAT SERVICES FROM FOLEGANDROS
Fourni Islands
Northeastern Aegean Islands; Click here
BOAT SERVICES FROM FOURNI
Halki
Dodecanese; Click here
Two local ferries, the Nissos Halki and Nikos Express, run daily between Halki and