How to get to Sfakia

Chora Sfakion is located on the south coast of Crete.
Below you’ll find the available travel options — by air, road and sea — to help you plan your journey calmly and confidently.

“Chora Sfakion” literally is the capital of the region of “Sfakia” — you will see both names actually used interchangeably to refer to our village.

Flying to Crete

Chania airport (CHQ) is the closest and most convenient option to reach Chora Sfakion.

The drive from Chania airport takes approximately 1.5 hours. From the airport, you can continue by taxi, bus, or hire a car.

Flights to Chania are available directly from several European cities, or via Athens with domestic connections operated by Aegean Airlines, SkyExpress and Ryanair.

If several guests arrive around the same time, shared taxis can be arranged.

You can also fly to Heraklion Airport (HER), which is approximately a 2.5 hour drive from Chora Sfakion.

Heraklion is a good alternative if flights to Chania are limited or less convenient.

Similarly, if several guests arrive around the same time, shared taxis can be arranged.

You can also fly to Athens Airport (ATH) and continue to Crete either by domestic flight to Chania or by ferry from Piraeus to Chania.

SkyScanner is a trustworthy flight comparison site to assist you in finding the most economical or convenient flight combination.

On occasion, booking two single flights can be cheaper than booking a return flight.

Road travel to Chora Sfakion

Travelling by car or taxi is the most convenient way to reach the village.

A taxi from Chania city centre or airport costs approximately 105 EURO and takes 1.5 hour.
From Heraklion, the cost is approximately 180 EURO and the journey takes 2.5 hours.

When several guests arrive at similar times, we can arrange a shared taxi.
Please provide your arrival details (arrival date and time, flight number, airport name) as soon as you book flights to make this possible.

We can also help you arrange a hired car to meet you at the airport.

Transfers are not included.

To get to the bus station in Chania from the airport, buses run daily to correspond with arriving flights.

  • Cost: 2.50 EURO

  • Duration: 30 minutes

The Chania bus station has luggage storage, operating between 06:30 and 20:00, which can be useful if you have a long wait. The old city is just a few minutes’ walk away.

A taxi from the airport to the bus station costs approximately 15–20 EURO.

From Chania, there are direct buses to Chora Sfakion. During high season (April–October) there are four buses per day:

  • 08:15

  • 11:00

  • 14:00

  • 16:00

  • Cost: 8.70 EURO

  • Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes

Please confirm departure times in advance.

From Heraklion airport, Bus No. 6 runs frequently to the main bus station.

  • Duration: 15 minutes

Ask the driver to inform you where to get off, as it is not always obvious.

From the bus station:

  • Take a bus to Rethymnon (approx. every hour)

    • Cost: 8.70 EURO

    • Duration: 90 minutes

  • From Rethymnon, continue to Chora Sfakion, changing buses at Vrisses

    • Departure times: 08:00 and 13:00

    • Cost: 8.30 EURO

    • Duration: 2 hours

Vrisses does not have a formal bus station; tickets are purchased at a local coffee shop where buses stop.

A car can be hired and picked up at either Chania or Heraklion airport, or during your stay in the village.

The mountain road to Chora Sfakion has undergone extensive improvements in recent years. Three tunnels have replaced sharp curves, making the drive safer and easier.

Recommended car hire companies:

By car – driving directions

Boat travel

There is an overnight ferry from Piraeus, the port of Athens, which is easily accessed by metro from Athens “E. Venizelos” airport.

  • Departure: 22:00

  • Arrival: 07:00 at Souda Port (Chania)

Souda port is a 10-minute bus ride from the main bus station in Chania city centre.

The south-west coast of Crete is served by daily ferry lines travelling from Paleohora, Sougia, or Aghia Roumeli to Chora Sfakion.

This is a convenient option if you plan to spend time on the south coast before arriving.

You can also reach Chora Sfakion this way after hiking the Samaria Gorge.
Consider sending your luggage ahead of you by bus from Chania, to be picked up by us in Chora Sfakion, so you can hike light.

Please check ferry timetables in advance, as they are updated several times during the season.

Need help planning your journey?

If you have questions about transport, transfers, or arriving from a different location, feel free to get in touch — we’re happy to help. You can also read more about our accommodation or explore upcoming retreats while planning your journey.

Contact us