Samaria by bus + ferry: Omalos, Agia Roumeli, Chora Sfakion

In short

Yes, without a car, but it's a chain to respect: bus Chania → Xyloskalo (Omalos) early morning (~€7.50), a 5-7h hike, then ferry Agia Roumeli → Chora Sfakion at 17:30 (Agia Roumeli has no road), and bus Chora Sfakion → Chania at 18:30. Back in Chania around 21:00. ~€35-36 transport in all.

At a glance

OperatorKTEL Chania-Rethymno + ANENDYK ferry

Line / crossingBus Chania → Omalos · ferry Agia Roumeli → Sfakia · bus Sfakia → Chania

FrequencyOutbound bus ~05:00, 06:15, 07:45, 08:45 · return ferry 17:30 · return bus 18:30

DurationHike 5-7h (18 km) · transport ~4h total

Indicative priceBus ~€7.50 · ferry €17 · bus ~€8.30 · park entry ~€5

SeasonPark open ~May → October (weather permitting)

Where to boardKTEL station, Kydonias, Chania

How to do it, step by step

1
Early bus Chania → Xyloskalo (Omalos), departures ~05:00, 06:15, 07:45, 08:45, ~1h-1h15, ~€7.50.
2
Enter the park between 07:00 and 13:00 for the full traverse; 18 km, 5-7h, exit before 18:00. Ticket ~€5, keep it (re-checked at the exit).
3
At Agia Roumeli (no road), take the 17:30 ferry to Chora Sfakion, ~1h, €17.
4
At Chora Sfakion, the 18:30 bus (timed to the ferry) returns to Chania, ~1h50, ~€8.30. Back around 20:30-21:00.

⚠️ The traps to know

Most walkers reach Agia Roumeli around 14:00-15:00 and wait 2-3h for the 17:30 ferry. Bring food and swim gear.
Agia Roumeli has no road: the ferry is the ONLY way out. Missing the 17:30 strands you there.
The return bus from Chora Sfakion is often full in high season — book ahead on e-ktel.com.
West variant possible: ferry Agia Roumeli → Sougia, then bus Sougia → Chania at 18:15.

Plan B

Without the bus logistics, the simplest option is an organised trip (round-trip transport included, park ticket handled). By car you can't loop on foot: you'd leave the vehicle on one side and need transport back — which is why bus + ferry wins. Book the park ticket and the ferry ahead in high season.

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:

Samaria park ticket (NECCA) ↗KTEL Chania-Rethymno timetables ↗South-coast ferries (ANENDYK) — fares ↗

Frequently asked questions

How do you get back from Samaria Gorge?

By a mandatory chain: ferry Agia Roumeli → Chora Sfakion at 17:30 (~1h, €17), then bus Chora Sfakion → Chania at 18:30 (~1h50, ~€8.30). Agia Roumeli has no road: you can only leave by boat.

How much does Samaria transport cost?

About €35-36 per person in total (bus ~€7.50 + ferry €17 + bus ~€8.30), excluding park entry (~€5). All figures are indicative.

What time do I need to leave Chania?

Early: buses leave around 05:00, 06:15, 07:45 and 08:45. Park entry for the full traverse closes at 13:00, so aim for one of the first departures.

Can you do Samaria by car?

Not as a loop: the hike is linear and ends at road-free Agia Roumeli. Leaving your car at Omalos means coming back for it by bus/ferry. For many, bus + ferry (or a tour) stays simpler.

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 →

Samaria by bus & ferry: the full loop

Where this route sits