Greece Itinerary: Athens/Crete/Santorini
 

Wife and I will be flying into Athens on 9/23 and we have 2 weeks there. We will be getting an apartment in Athens for 3 or 4 nights and want to see Athens and Crete - Chania specifically. Can anyone tell me logistically if it makes more sense to go from Athens to Chania then Santorini or the other way around? We will be flying out of Athens on 10/5.

(Correction)

Wife and I will be flying into Athens on 9/23 and we have 2 weeks there. We will be getting an apartment in Athens for 3 or 4 nights and want to see Santorini and Crete - Chania specifically. Can anyone tell me logistically if it makes more sense to go from Athens to Chania then Santorini or the other way around? We will be flying out of Athens on 10/5.

Hi danlotec,
Fly to Crete ( Iraklion), rent a car, and drive to Chania. Take a ferry to Santorini and continue via ferry back to Athens, or you can fly back.
It is always a treat to arrive at Santorini by boat as the view is spectacular.
You might plan to stop over in Paros or Naxos on your way back to Athens. That will give you a different island experience as well. It depends upon how much time you spend on Crete. The latter is like a country unto itself, so I don't recommend you spread yourself too thin. But if you ferry back to Athens, you will go right by, and will most likely stop, at those other islands.
Here's two possible itineraries: 3 nights Athens, 5 nights Crete, 3 nights Santorini, 2 nights Paros, 1 night Athens; OR, 4 nights Athens, 6 nights Crete, 3 nights Santorini, 1 night Athens. In any case it's a good idea to plan a night back in Athens to assure connections before your flight home.

Since there are no ferries between Chania and Santorini, you will have to go via Heraklion.
Maybe it's better to fly from Athens to Chania, in order not to lose time and ferry from Heraklion to Santori.
The distance from Chania to Her is 150 km.

I agree with clausar — fly to Chania first, then Heraklion. From Heraklion go to Santorini, and save Athens for last.

BTW, I am watching Sea Jets new catamaran Cosmosjet, which has just begun operating this weekend. It's current route seems to be Rethymnon - Souda (Chania) - Santorini - Souda - Rethymnon. I don't know whether it will continue that route through the summer, but if so, it opens new possibilities for tourists based in Chania. :-)

We'll also be doing Athens/Crete/Santorini in Sept. (A few days earlier than you).

After spending time in Athens, we're flying to Chania (Aegean Air - about $141.77 for two people one way), spending a few days in Chania, either driving or taking to bus to Heraklion for one night, then taking the ferry to Santorini.

This seemed to make the most sense after checking air and ferry schedules.

Hope this helps!
Carol

Yes, all above are correct - I forgot you could fly to Chania instead.
You will need to drive to Iraklion to take the ferry.
It will be a great trip - enjoy!








enjoy

Since my last post Cosmosjet has followed a different route every day, so it's looking less likely it will be based in Rethymnon. :-(

I have a similar itinerary as well. Does anyone know how easy it is to get a bus Chania - heraklion in the first week of october? Or how easy to rent a car in chania and drop in heraklion? Thanks!

With Anna Cars, I rented in Chania and dropped off in Heraklion. Autoway also indicated they would also do it.
Cheers,
CC

We are planning a similar itinerary in October, but we are taking an overnight ferry from Athens (Piraeus) to Heraklion ($233 for two in inside cabin-- but no hotel). From there we will explore, probably by rented car. Then we take a ferry to Santorini and fly back to Athens on Aegean Air ($110 total for two).

Seems to be a popular itinerary. Maybe we'll all run into each other.
Enjoy,
nk

Busses are leaving regularly from Chania to Heraklion not only in the summer but also in the winter.
Distance is 150 km.