Getting to Chios is easier than its off-the-beaten-path reputation suggests: unlike some Greek islands. It has its own airport with daily flights from Athens, as well as regular ferries from Piraeus and its neighbouring islands. You can reach it in under an hour by air or on a scenic overnight boat, and even cross from the Turkish coast opposite.
This guide explains how to get to Chios in full: the ferry from Athens, the flights to Chios airport. Connections from other islands and from Turkey, journey times and costs, where you arrive. How to get around. Read it beside the full Chios travel guide and the guide to the best things to do in Chios.
How to get to Chios: what are the main options?
You get to Chios by ferry or by air. Ferries sail from Piraeus, the port of Athens, in about 7 to 10 hours, often overnight, while daily flights from Athens reach Chios airport in around 50 minutes.
Reaching Chios is straightforward, and the island has the advantage over some of its Aegean neighbours of possessing its own airport, so you are not limited to the sea. The two main ways to arrive are by ferry from Piraeus, the great port of Athens. By a short flight from Athens to Chios Island National Airport. And which you choose depends on your budget, your time and whether you enjoy the sea journey.
The ferry from Piraeus is the classic route, a crossing of roughly seven to ten hours often run overnight. Scenic and relaxed and able to carry cars, while flying covers the same distance in only about fifty minutes and suits those short on time. Both arrive at or near Chios Town, the island’s capital and port on the east coast.
Beyond the Athens connections, Chios is linked by regular ferries to its northeastern Aegean neighbours, above all Lesvos. Samos and Ikaria. To its own satellite islands of Oinousses and Psara, making it easy to include on an island-hopping route. Uniquely, it also lies just across the water from Turkey, with a seasonal boat to Çeşme. The sections below explain each way of getting to Chios in turn.
How do you get to Chios by ferry from Athens?
You reach Chios by ferry from Piraeus, the port of Athens, on a crossing of about 7 to 10 hours, often run overnight.
The classic way to reach Chios is by ferry from Piraeus, the main port of Athens. Which lies about 45 to 50 kilometres from Athens International Airport and is easily reached by metro, suburban rail, bus or taxi. From Piraeus, ferries sail to Chios on a crossing that takes roughly seven to ten hours on the faster boats. Longer on the slower conventional or overnight services. Depending on the vessel and any stops along the way.
Many of these sailings run overnight, leaving Piraeus in the evening and arriving at Chios in the early morning. Which saves both a day of travel and a night’s accommodation. Cabins are available on the larger ferries for a comfortable crossing. Blue Star Ferries is the main operator, alongside others, running the route days a week, with services more frequent in summer than in winter.
Ferry fares from Piraeus to Chios typically start from around forty euros for a deck or seat ticket. Rising for cabins and vehicles. It is wise to book in advance for the peak weeks of July and August and to reserve a vehicle space if you bring a car. The ferry arrives at the central port of Chios Town, right in the heart of the island’s capital.
How do you fly to Chios?
You fly to Chios from Athens to Chios Island National Airport (JKH), a flight of only about 50 minutes, with daily services year-round on Aegean Airlines and Sky Express and fares from around 45 euros.
Flying is the quickest way to reach Chios. The island’s own airport, Chios Island National Airport. Coded JKH and named after Homer, has daily domestic flights to and from Athens throughout the year. The flight from Athens takes only around fifty minutes. A huge saving over the long ferry crossing. Makes Chios a realistic option even for a short trip or a long weekend.
The Athens route is served by the main Greek carriers, Aegean Airlines and its partner Olympic Air, together with Sky Express. Giving flights a day in summer and fewer but still daily services in winter, with one-way fares often starting from around forty-five to fifty euros when booked ahead. In summer, additional seasonal flights connect Chios with Thessaloniki and other Greek cities, and some international charters operate.
Chios airport lies just kilometres south of Chios Town, a short taxi ride from the centre and the port, so transferring on arrival is quick and easy. For visitors coming from abroad, the usual route is to fly into Athens and connect onward to Chios. Booking the two legs together. With enough time between them, makes for a smooth journey.
Should you fly or take the ferry to Chios?
Fly to Chios if you value speed and convenience, as the flight from Athens takes only 50 minutes against 7 to 10 hours by ferry.
The choice between flying and taking the ferry comes down to your priorities. Flying is far quicker, turning a journey of the best part of a day into under an hour. Is ideal if your time is limited or you are coming for a short stay, while fares, booked ahead, are often comparable to a ferry cabin, so the speed can come at little extra cost.
The ferry, on the other hand, is usually cheaper for a basic ticket, lets you bring a car. Offers the option of travelling overnight to save a night’s accommodation. Provides a scenic, relaxed journey through the Aegean that is part of the holiday for travellers. Its drawback is the length of the crossing, seven to ten hours or more, which uses up much of a day unless taken overnight.
For visitors the best solution is to combine the two, flying in one direction to save time and taking the ferry the other for the experience or to bring a car. Or simply choosing according to the fares and schedules on their dates. Either way, both routes deliver you to Chios Town, ready to explore the island, as the full Chios travel guide describes.
How do you get to Chios from other Greek islands?
Chios is connected by regular ferries to its northeastern Aegean neighbours, above all Lesvos to the north and Samos and Ikaria to the south, and by smaller boats to its own islands of Oinousses and Psara.
Chios sits within a group of northeastern Aegean islands and is well connected to them by sea, making island hopping straightforward. To the north, regular ferries link Chios with Lesvos, the large and culturally rich island of Mytilene, while to the south boats connect it with Samos and Ikaria, so Chios fits naturally into a route through the eastern Aegean.
Closer to home, Chios is the gateway to its own small satellite islands, with regular small ferries crossing to Oinousses, the tiny shipowners’ island to the northeast. To Psara. The remote and historic island to the northwest, both making rewarding day trips or overnight escapes from the main island. These local connections are part of what makes Chios a good base for exploring the area.
Ferry frequency on these routes increases in summer and thins out in winter. Services vary by season and weather, so it is best to check the current timetables close to your travel dates and to book ahead for busy weekends. Combining Chios with one or more of its neighbours turns a visit into a wider northeastern Aegean island-hopping trip.
Can you get to Chios from Turkey?
Yes. Chios lies just 7 kilometres off the Turkish coast, opposite the resort town of Çeşme, and a seasonal boat crosses between them in only about 30 to 45 minutes.
One of the most distinctive things about Chios is how close it lies to Turkey. Just seven kilometres across the water from the Turkish mainland, opposite the popular resort town of Çeşme near Izmir. This proximity has shaped the island’s history and gives it an unusual advantage today, as it is easily reached from, or combined with, the Turkish coast.
A seasonal passenger boat crosses the narrow strait between Çeşme and Chios Town in only about thirty to forty-five minutes. Running mainly in the summer months. Travellers can arrive in Chios directly from Turkey, or make a day trip in either direction. For those flying into Izmir in Turkey. This offers an alternative way to reach the island. It lets a Greek island holiday be paired with a taste of the Turkish coast.
Standard passport and border formalities apply. It is worth checking the current schedules, which are seasonal and can change, as well as any visa requirements for Turkey. For the right traveller, the short hop from Çeşme is a unique and convenient way of getting to Chios.
How long does it take and how much does it cost to get to Chios?
Flying to Chios from Athens takes about 50 minutes and costs from around 45 euros, while the ferry from Piraeus takes roughly 7 to 10 hours, often overnight, and costs from around 40 euros for a seat, more for a.
Journey times to Chios vary greatly with the route. The flight from Athens is by far the quickest at around fifty minutes, while the ferry from Piraeus takes roughly seven to ten hours on the faster boats and longer on overnight or conventional services. From the neighbouring islands, crossings range from about half an hour to Oinousses or Çeşme in Turkey up to hours from Lesvos, Samos or Ikaria.
Costs are similarly varied. Flights from Athens often start from around forty-five to fifty euros one way when booked ahead, rising nearer the date, while the ferry from Piraeus starts from around forty euros for a deck or seat ticket, with cabins and vehicle spaces costing more. In practice, a flight booked early can cost little more than a ferry cabin, so it pays to compare both on your dates.
Prices for all routes tend to rise in the peak weeks of July and August, when demand is highest. Booking ahead secures both a better fare and a guaranteed place. Especially for cabins on the overnight ferry and for the popular summer flights. Weighing the total time and cost of flying against the ferry on your own dates is the key to choosing the best way to reach Chios for your trip.
Where do ferries and flights arrive in Chios?
Ferries arrive at the central port of Chios Town, in the heart of the island’s capital on the east coast, while flights land at Chios Island National Airport (JKH) kilometres south of the town.
Ferries to Chios dock at the port of Chios Town, right in the centre of the island’s capital and largest settlement on the east coast. You arrive in the heart of the town. Within easy reach of hotels, restaurants and services, and can often walk to your accommodation if you are staying in or near the centre. The port is the hub of the island’s transport, with taxis and car-hire offices close at hand.
Flights land at Chios Island National Airport, coded JKH, which lies just kilometres south of Chios Town. A short taxi ride of around ten minutes from the centre and the port. The airport is small and straightforward, and taxis meet arriving flights, while car-hire can be arranged there or in the town, making the transfer into the centre quick and easy.
Getting from your point of arrival to the centre or to a nearby base such as Karfas is simple and quick, whether by taxi, pre-arranged transfer or hire car. From there, the rest of the island opens up, as the sections below and the wider Chios travel guide explain.
How do you get around Chios once you arrive?
The best way to get around Chios is by hire car or scooter, essential for reaching the mastic villages, beaches and monasteries spread across the large island.
Once on Chios, a hire car or scooter is the best way to explore, because the island is large and its highlights, the mastic villages of the south. The monastery of Nea Moni and Anavatos in the centre. The beaches and villages of the west and north, are spread widely and often reached by minor roads. Renting wheels, easily done at the airport, the port or in town, transforms what you can see and is close to essential for a full visit.
For those who prefer not to drive, public buses run from Chios Town to the main towns, mastic villages and popular beaches such as Karfas and Komi. Reliably but with limited frequency. They suit visitors happy to plan around the timetable. Taxis are available for shorter trips and can be shared for a day excursion, though they become costly over the island’s longer distances.
Boats and small ferries also help you get around and beyond the island, reaching the beaches and the satellite islands of Oinousses and Psara. For most visitors, though, hiring a car for at least part of the stay is the key to enjoying the whole of this large and varied island, as the guide to things to do in Chios makes clear.
Can you bring a car to Chios?
Yes, you can bring a car to Chios on the ferry from Piraeus or from neighbouring islands, reserving a vehicle space in advance, especially in summer.
You can certainly bring a car to Chios, as the conventional ferries from Piraeus and from the neighbouring islands carry vehicles as well as passengers. If you plan to do so, it is important to reserve a vehicle space when booking your ticket, particularly for the busy weeks of July and August, when car decks fill up quickly. To arrive at the port in good time for loading.
Having your own car on Chios is a genuine advantage, since the island is large and its mastic villages, monasteries. Beaches and mountain scenery are spread widely and often reached by minor roads that public transport does not serve well. A car gives the freedom to explore the whole island at your own pace, which is central to making the most of a visit.
That said, for visitors hiring a car on the island is simpler and cheaper than paying to ship their own across on the ferry. Especially if they are flying in. Rental is easily arranged at the airport, the port or in town. Whether you bring a car or hire one, having wheels is close to essential for enjoying the whole of Chios, as the wider Chios travel guide explains.
What ferry companies serve Chios and how do you book?
Ferries to Chios are run by Blue Star Ferries and other operators on the Piraeus route, with regional and local boats serving the neighbouring islands.
The main ferry route to Chios, from Piraeus, is served principally by Blue Star Ferries, alongside other operators over the years. Running large ferries that carry passengers, cabins and vehicles on the long crossing from Athens. Smaller regional and local companies operate the connections to the neighbouring northeastern Aegean islands and to the satellite islands of Oinousses and Psara, as well as the seasonal boat to Çeşme in Turkey.
Booking is straightforward and can be done online through the ferry companies’ own websites or through ferry-booking platforms that compare schedules and fares across operators. Which is the easiest way to see all the options for your dates. Travel agencies in Piraeus, in Chios Town and elsewhere also sell tickets and can advise on the best connections.
Its cabins and its car spaces can sell out in the peak weeks of July and August, it is wise to book these ahead, while for the shorter island and Turkey crossings booking a day or two in advance is usually enough outside the busiest periods. Checking the current timetables close to your travel date is always sensible, as schedules shift with the seasons.
How do you get to Chios from abroad or internationally?
From abroad, the usual way to reach Chios is to fly into Athens and connect with a 50-minute flight or an overnight ferry to the island.
For visitors coming from outside Greece, the most common route to Chios is to fly into Athens International Airport. The country’s main hub with connections worldwide. Then continue to the island either by the short fifty-minute domestic flight to Chios airport or by the overnight ferry from the nearby port of Piraeus. Booking the international and domestic legs with enough time between them makes for a smooth journey.
In the summer season, a limited number of international charter flights connect Chios directly with some European cities, which can save the transfer through Athens, though these are seasonal and less frequent than the reliable domestic connections. Most international travellers still route through Athens. Thessaloniki in northern Greece also offers seasonal flights to the island.
Uniquely, Chios can also be reached from abroad via Turkey, since it lies just across the water from the Turkish coast: travellers can fly into Izmir and take the short seasonal boat crossing from Çeşme to Chios Town in about thirty to forty-five minutes. This gives an unusual alternative gateway to the island for those combining Greece with the Turkish coast, subject to the usual border formalities.
Is Chios hard to get to, and is it worth the journey?
No, Chios is not hard to get to: it has daily 50-minute flights from Athens and regular ferries, so it is easier to reach than many Greek islands.
Despite its off-the-beaten-path reputation, Chios is genuinely easy to reach. Certainly no harder than many Greek islands and easier than some. Thanks to its own airport with daily flights from Athens and its regular ferry links. The main consideration is simply that it lies in the northeastern Aegean rather than among the busy Cyclades. It sees fewer casual visitors. Which is part of its appeal rather than a barrier.
The short flight from Athens in particular removes any real difficulty, putting the island within an hour of the capital, while the overnight ferry offers a relaxed, scenic and economical alternative for those with more time or a car. Its closeness to Turkey adds a further, unusual way in, so travellers have a genuine choice of routes to suit their plans.
Above all, the journey to Chios is richly rewarded. Few Greek islands offer so distinctive a mix of the unique mastic villages, the UNESCO mosaics of Nea Moni. Dramatic black-pebble beaches, an authentic, lived-in culture and a refreshing lack of crowds, all on a large and varied island. For travellers seeking somewhere genuine and out of the ordinary, getting to Chios is well worth the modest effort, as the full Chios travel guide makes clear.
How do you get from Athens to the ferry or the Chios flight?
For the ferry, reach Piraeus port from Athens or its airport by metro, suburban rail, bus or taxi, about 45 to 50 kilometres from the airport.
You first reach the port of Piraeus, the great harbour just southwest of central Athens. From Athens International Airport, about 45 to 50 kilometres away, Piraeus is reached directly by the metro, by the suburban railway or by express airport buses, as well as by taxi, while from the city centre the metro and buses run frequently to the port. Getting to your ferry is straightforward.
At Piraeus, ferries to Chios generally leave from the gates serving the eastern Aegean. It is worth checking your departure gate in advance, as the port is large, and allowing time to find it and board, especially with luggage or a car. Arriving in good time is wise, particularly for the busy summer sailings.
You simply connect at Athens International Airport, where domestic flights to the island depart. International arrivals transfer to the domestic gates for the short onward hop. Leaving a comfortable margin between an international arrival and the Chios flight guards against delays. Booking the two legs on one ticket where possible can simplify the connection and the baggage.
What is the ferry journey to Chios like?
The ferry journey to Chios is a long but comfortable crossing of 7 to 10 hours, often overnight, on large modern ferries with seats, cabins, lounges, cafes and deck space.
The ferry crossing from Piraeus to Chios is a long one, but on the large, modern ferries that serve the route it is comfortable and even enjoyable. The ships offer a range of seating, from reclining aircraft-style seats to private cabins, along with lounges, cafes, restaurants. Shops and open deck space. There is room to relax, eat, sleep or watch the Aegean slip by over the hours of the voyage.
Many travellers choose the overnight sailing, booking a cabin so they can sleep during the crossing and step off refreshed in Chios in the early morning. Having saved both a day and a night’s accommodation. A cabin is well worth the extra cost on the long overnight route for a proper night’s sleep, though those on a budget can travel more cheaply in the reclining seats or the lounges.
On a daytime crossing, the journey becomes part of the holiday, a relaxing passage across the eastern Aegean with open sea views and islands passing along the way. That travellers find a pleasant and memorable contrast to the speed of flying. Either way, the ferry delivers you right into the heart of Chios Town. Ready to begin exploring. For many the sea approach is part of the pleasure of reaching the island.
When you book, and what tips help for getting to Chios?
Book flights and ferries to Chios well ahead for July and August, when demand peaks and cabins and popular flights sell out.
Timing your booking matters most in the peak season. In July and August, flights and ferries to Chios are busy. The cabins on the overnight boat from Piraeus and the seats on the popular summer flights can sell out well in advance, so booking ahead is strongly advised to secure a place and a better fare. Outside the peak months availability is easier, though booking ahead still guarantees your preferred service.
It pays to compare the two main routes on your specific dates, since a flight booked early can cost little more than a ferry cabin while saving hours. To consider the overnight ferry from Piraeus if you want to save both time and a night’s accommodation. If you plan to bring a car, reserve a vehicle space on the ferry in advance, as these fill up in summer.
Finally, check the timetables close to your travel dates, as both ferry and flight schedules to Chios shift with the seasons. With more services in summer. Ferries in particular can be affected by weather, so keep a little flexibility around tight connections. With the tickets booked and the timings checked, getting to Chios is simple. The island richly rewards the journey with its unique mastic villages. Byzantine mosaics and uncrowded beaches, far from the crowds of the busier Greek islands.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Chios have an airport?
Yes, Chios has its own airport, Chios Island National Airport, coded JKH and named after the poet Homer, who is traditionally associated with the island. It lies just kilometres south of Chios Town, a short taxi ride from the centre and the port. The airport has daily domestic flights to and from Athens throughout the year, operated by Aegean Airlines. Its partner Olympic Air. Sky Express, with the flight taking only around fifty minutes. In summer there are additional seasonal flights to other Greek cities such as Thessaloniki and some international charters. Having its own airport makes Chios much easier to reach than some Greek islands. Which can only be reached by sea.
It means the island is within an hour of Athens for those short on time.
How long is the ferry from Athens to Chios?
The ferry from Piraeus, the port of Athens, to Chios takes roughly seven to ten hours on the faster boats. Longer on slower conventional or overnight services. Depending on the vessel and any stops along the way. Many sailings run overnight, leaving Piraeus in the evening and arriving at the port of Chios Town early the next morning. Which saves both a day of travel and a night’s accommodation. Cabins are available on the larger ferries for a comfortable crossing. Blue Star Ferries is the main operator, alongside others, running the route days a week, more often in summer.
It is worth booking ahead in summer and checking the timetable close to your travel date.
What is the best way to get to Chios from Athens?
The two ways to get to Chios from Athens are flying and taking the ferry, and the best choice depends on your priorities. Flying from Athens to Chios airport takes only about fifty minutes, with daily flights on Aegean Airlines and Sky Express from around forty-five euros. Making it the quickest and most convenient option, ideal for short trips. The ferry from the port of Piraeus takes roughly seven to ten hours, often run overnight. Is usually cheaper for a basic ticket. Lets you bring a car and offers a scenic journey, though it uses up much of a day unless taken overnight.
Many travellers fly one way to save time and take the ferry the other, or simply choose according to the fares and schedules on their dates.
Can you get to Chios from Turkey?
Yes. Chios lies just seven kilometres off the Turkish coast. Opposite the resort town of Çeşme near Izmir. A seasonal passenger boat crosses the narrow strait between Çeşme and Chios Town in only about thirty to forty-five minutes, running mainly in the summer months. This makes Chios easy to reach directly from Turkey, and it lets visitors combine a Greek island with the Turkish coast, or make a day trip in either direction. As this is an international crossing between Greece and Turkey, standard passport and border formalities apply. It is worth checking the current seasonal schedules and any visa requirements for Turkey in advance.
For those flying into Izmir, the short hop from Çeşme is a convenient alternative way of reaching Chios. A reminder of how closely the island is tied to the nearby Turkish coast, just seven kilometres away. The Çeşme crossing runs only in the summer season and is aimed mainly at foot passengers. It is best treated as a scenic extra rather than a year-round route. But for those touring the Turkish Aegean coast it offers an easy and memorable way to step across to Greece and reach Chios directly by sea.