Balos by bus + boat from Chania: Kissamos, prices, times

In short

No direct bus: the lagoon lies at the end of a dirt track. The plan that works: bus Chania → Kissamos port (~1h, ~€5.10-5.50), then the Gramvousa + Balos boat (€40-45 in high season, less shoulder). The « Chania-Balos » buses are timed to the boats.

Where this route sits

The « Chania to the south and west » corridor, within the whole network. The other axes stay visible, in the background.

The north-west axisThe north-east backboneThe MessaraChania to the south and westThe south coastMount Ida from Chanioporta

Drag the map sideways.

high frequencyregular lineseasonal service, or no timetable of its own publishedferry servicebus stationroadless terminal⊘line suspended

Schematic map. City positions are real; the routing of the lines is not.Every underlined name opens the page for that place or route.Verified on 3 September 2026 · ktelherlas.gr

At a glance

OperatorKTEL Chania-Rethymno + Cretan Daily Cruises

Line / crossing« Chania-Balos » bus → Kissamos port, then boat

FrequencyBus ~08:15, 09:00, 10:30, 15:30 (timed to the boats)

DurationBus ~1h · boat depends on package

Indicative priceBus ~€5.10-5.50 · boat €40-45 (high season)

SeasonBoat ~April → October

Where to boardKTEL station, Kydonias, Chania

How to do it, step by step

1
Take a bus marked « Chania-Balos » at Kydonias station (departures ~08:15, 09:00, 10:30, 15:30), ~1h to Kissamos port.
2
At the port, arrive 40 min before the boat departs and board for Gramvousa + Balos.
3
The boat stops at Gramvousa islet then Balos lagoon before returning to Kissamos.
4
Back at Kissamos, take the KTEL bus to Chania (timed to the boat's arrival).

⚠️ The traps to know

The bus does NOT go to Balos: any « bus to the beach » offer is false. The lagoon is reached by boat (or by an unpaved track by car).
Tell Kissamos town from Kissamos port (2-3 km west): not all buses serve the port. Make sure it's a « Balos » bus.
On the boat, on-board payment is card only, and you must arrive 40 min before.

Plan B

By car, you reach the Balos car park via an unpaved track (care needed, plus a peninsula access toll), then ~20 min downhill on foot — a different adventure. The cruise stays the simplest no-driving way. A taxi to Kissamos port is an alternative to the bus if you miss the departure.

Taxis & transfers in Crete Rent a car in Crete

🕑 Today's official timetable

Timetables often change mid-season. Check the day before on the official source:

Gramvousa-Balos cruise — fares ↗KTEL Chania-Rethymno timetables ↗

Frequently asked questions

Can you get to Balos by bus?

Not directly: no line reaches the lagoon. You take a bus Chania → Kissamos port, then a boat to Gramvousa and Balos.

How much is the Balos cruise?

By season, ~€45 (Gramvousa + Balos) in high season, ~€40 shoulder; « Balos only » a little less. Meal extra. Card payment on board. Official fares on the operator's site.

How long should I allow for the day?

A full day: ~1h bus each way, plus the cruise with its stops. Take the morning bus so you're not pressed for time.

Network structure checked in August 2026. Times and fares are indicative and change mid-season — always check the official source the day before you travel.

Bus or car? The honest call

The KTEL bus covers the main routes cheaply. But for remote beaches, early starts and stringing stops together, a car changes everything. Here's what's genuinely doable by bus — and how to rent without getting caught out.

What's doable without a car 🚗 Rent a car: guide + live compare →