South coast · Between towns
Chania to Omalos and the Samaria Gorge start.
- Road distance
- 42.1 km
- Drive time, no traffic
- 47 min
- Public bus
- KTEL Chania–Rethymno
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Photo: Salih Akbudak / Pexels
Quick answer
Xyloskalo, the start of the Samaria Gorge on the Omalos plateau, is about 42 km from Chania, roughly 47 minutes by car on the Chania–Samaria road. KTEL runs a Chania–Omalos (Samaria) bus, and a Rethymno–Omalos line is listed too. The catch is the return: the gorge ends at Agia Roumeli, which has no road, so you come back by ANENDYK boat to Sfakia and then a bus or car.
Key points
- Road distance: 42.1 km and about 47 minutes from Chania to Xyloskalo (OSRM, no traffic).
- The gorge ends at Agia Roumeli, which has no road; boats run to Sfakia, Sougia or Paleochora.
- The national park opens seasonally; check the official announcement for opening dates.
- A one-way ride up to Xyloskalo and a pickup at Sfakia is a common plan.
Climbing the Chania–Samaria road to the Omalos plateau
The drive heads south out of Chania on the Chania–Samaria road, through foothill villages and then up into the White Mountains. The bends tighten as the road gains height, before it levels out on the Omalos plateau, a high, flat basin of fields surrounded by peaks. Xyloskalo, the gorge entrance, sits at the edge of the plateau where the road ends.
OpenStreetMap routing puts Chania to Xyloskalo at 42.1 km and about 47 minutes, free-flow. Gorge days start early, so in season the road can be busy with buses and cars heading up in the morning. The plateau is high and much cooler than Chania, especially at first light, so bring a warm layer even in summer and pack it once you start walking.
Xyloskalo to Agia Roumeli: solving the one-way walk
Samaria is a one-way walk. You start at Xyloskalo and finish at Agia Roumeli on the Libyan Sea, a village with no road connection. From there ANENDYK boats carry walkers along the coast, usually to Sfakia, and also to Sougia or Paleochora. At whichever port you land, a bus or a pre-booked car takes you back over the mountains to Chania.
That is why a car parked at Xyloskalo is often a nuisance: after the walk and the boat, you are on the wrong side of the mountains and must travel back up to collect it. Many walkers prefer a one-way taxi or the bus up in the morning and a return booked from Sfakia. Our Chania to Sfakia page covers the road from that end.
Planning a Samaria day: opening dates, bags and children
The Samaria national park opens seasonally, and the opening dates come from an official announcement, so check before you book anything. KTEL Chania–Rethymno runs the Chania–Omalos (Samaria) line from the station at Kydonias and Partheniou Kelaidi streets, and walkers based in Rethymno have a Rethymno–Omalos line. Confirm the departure that matches your walking day, and check the return side from Sfakia at the same time.
Travel light: whatever you take up the mountain, you carry through the gorge, onto the boat and home again. Leave suitcases at your hotel. If you need child seats for the ride up, request them when you book a taxi or private driver. The walk is long and rocky, so think honestly about whether it suits younger children before planning transport around it, and pack proper walking shoes for everyone.
Chania to Omalos (Samaria Gorge)
Pickup and drop-off points
Chania KTEL bus station
The Chania–Omalos (Samaria) bus starts at Kydonias and Partheniou Kelaidi streets. Check the season, and settle how you will get back from Sfakia too.
Chania hotels
A licensed taxi or private driver booked the evening before can collect you early, so you start walking at Xyloskalo before the day warms up.
Rethymno
The Rethymno–Omalos line is listed for walkers staying in Rethymno. Check whether it runs on your date and how it fits the return.
Xyloskalo, Omalos plateau
The drop-off at the head of the Samaria Gorge, where the road ends. Buses, taxis and private cars all set you down at the entrance.
Compare your options
Ways to make this trip
KTEL bus to Omalos
The Chania–Omalos (Samaria) line takes you up to Xyloskalo, and buses from Sfakia bring you back after the boat. It runs in the gorge season, so check the timetable for your date.
One-way taxi or driver
Book a licensed taxi or private driver in advance for the climb to Xyloskalo, and a second pickup at Sfakia harbour. The most relaxed plan for families and small groups.
Rental car
Fine for the drive up, but the walk ends far from Xyloskalo. Consider parking in Chania and using the bus, or plan a long trip back to the plateau for the car.
ANENDYK boat from Agia Roumeli
The only way out of Agia Roumeli apart from walking. Boats usually run to Sfakia, with sailings to Sougia and Paleochora too; check the schedule for the season.
Chania to Omalos (Samaria Gorge)
Local tips
Check the park’s official opening announcement before booking a taxi or a room; the gorge only opens in season.
Book your return before you walk. A pickup arranged at Sfakia harbour takes away the worry of catching the last bus north.
Driving? Leave the car in Chania and take the bus up, so it is waiting where your day ends rather than up on the plateau.
Missed the Sfakia boat? Agia Roumeli also has boats to Sougia and Paleochora; our Chania to Sougia and Chania to Paleochora pages cover those roads.
FAQ
Questions about this route.
How do I get from Chania to the Samaria Gorge?
Head for Xyloskalo on the Omalos plateau, the gorge entrance. It is 42.1 km and about 47 minutes by road from Chania according to OpenStreetMap routing. Take the KTEL Chania–Omalos (Samaria) bus, a pre-booked taxi or private driver, or drive.How do you get back after walking the Samaria Gorge?
By boat, then road. The gorge ends at Agia Roumeli, which has no road, so you take an ANENDYK boat, usually to Sfakia, and then a bus or pre-booked car back to Chania. Boats also run to Sougia and Paleochora.Can I drive to Xyloskalo and leave my car there?
You can, but you finish the walk on the south coast and have to travel back up to collect it. It is usually easier to park in Chania, ride up by bus or taxi, and return from Sfakia.Is there a bus from Chania to Omalos?
Yes. KTEL Chania–Rethymno runs a Chania–Omalos (Samaria) line from the central Chania station, and a Rethymno–Omalos line is listed. Both are tied to the gorge season, so check the timetable for your date and look up the return buses from Sfakia at the same time.When is the Samaria Gorge open?
The national park opens seasonally, and the dates are set by an official announcement. Check that announcement before booking transport or accommodation, because buses and boats for walkers depend on the park being open. If your dates fall outside the opening period, leave Samaria out of your transport plans.Can I book a transfer to Samaria from Chania?
Not as a verified listing: we have not found one covering Omalos or Xyloskalo. Book a licensed taxi or private driver directly and in advance, ideally for both the ride up to Xyloskalo and the pickup at Sfakia. See our Chania to Sfakia page for that end.