Chania Cruise Port to the Old Town: Bus, Taxi or Walk
Quick answer: Cruise ships dock at Souda, a working naval and ferry port about 6.5–7 km east of Chania. You cannot walk to town. Take the cruise shuttle (15–25 minutes), city bus 13 (€1.80 if you buy the ticket before boarding, €2.80 on board, 2026) or a taxi (about 15–20 minutes; agree the fare first). Once in Chania, the Venetian Harbour is about 10 minutes' walk from the Municipal Market (Agora). Be back at the shuttle stop by the market 105 minutes before all-aboard.
Where the cruise ships dock
Ships use the Port of Souda, at the head of a sheltered bay shared with the Greek Navy and NATO. There is nothing to see inside the gates, and Chania is 6.5–7 km away by a busy main road, so walking in is not an option.
- ·Souda cruise and ferry piers: about 6.5 km from the centre of Chania. Ships berth at the passenger port. Shuttle buses and the city bus leave from near the pier, and taxis wait at the taxi rank.
- ·Tendering: large ships dock, so there is normally no tender. Anchoring is allowed in the bay, and an occasional small ship may anchor and tender. Check your daily programme.
Cruise shuttle bus
- ·Where to board: near the pier; it is signposted.
- ·Time: 15–25 minutes.
- ·Frequency: runs frequently on ship days.
- ·Price and drop-off: check your ship's port information. Note where you get off, photograph the pick-up point and check the last shuttle time.
- ·Gotcha on the way back: the bus may stop at several ships in Souda. Check the ship name on the bus and get off at yours.
City bus 13
Line 13 (Souda Port – Naval Hospital) is run by Astiko KTEL Chanion, the Chania urban bus company.
- ·Fare: €1.80 bought before boarding, €2.80 bought on board (Zone B, 2026). A return on two advance tickets is €3.60.
- ·How to pay: buy tickets at a kiosk or ticket point before you board to save €1. On-board tickets are cash only.
- ·Time: about 20–25 minutes.
- ·Timetable: weekday, Saturday and Sunday timetables differ. Check chaniabus.gr for your date.
- ·Getting off: ask the driver for the stop nearest the Municipal Market (Agora).
- ·Gotcha: the bus is not timed around ships. The shuttle is easier unless you want to keep costs down.
Taxi
- ·Where: taxis wait at the rank at the port.
- ·Time: about 15–20 minutes.
- ·Fare: there is no published fixed fare. Agree the price before you leave.
- ·Capacity: up to four people.
- ·Gotchas: taxis can be scarce when several ships arrive at once. Ride-hailing apps are not reliable here. Souda Radio Taxi is on +30 28210 89555.
A taxi also suits Aptera, the ancient city above Souda Bay, about 15 minutes from the port, which has no practical public transport.
On foot in Chania
From the Municipal Market, walk down through the Old Town to the harbour front in about 10 minutes.
- ·Harbour and lighthouse loop: 45–60 minutes. The breakwater is exposed and uneven, with no railing in places.
- ·Archaeological Museum: in Halepa, about 30 minutes' walk or 12 minutes by car from the market. €15 full, €8 reduced (2026). Closed on Tuesdays.
- ·Nea Chora beach: 20–25 minutes' walk west of the Old Town.
Shuttle, bus or taxi compared
| Option | Cost (2026) | Time | Where to board | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cruise shuttle | Check your ship's port information | 15–25 min | Near the pier, signposted | Most passengers; runs on ship days |
| City bus 13 | €1.80 in advance, €2.80 on board (cash) | About 20–25 min | Near the pier | Lowest cost, if the timetable fits |
| Taxi | Agree the fare before you leave | About 15–20 min | Taxi rank at the port | Groups of up to four, Aptera |
| Walk from Souda | Not possible | — | — | 6.5–7 km on a busy road |
| Walk in Chania | Free | 10 min from the market to the harbour | Municipal Market | The Old Town and harbour |
When to head back
The rule: be at the shuttle stop by the Municipal Market 105 minutes before all-aboard, and be back on board 60 minutes before all-aboard. For a 17:30 all-aboard, that means the market stop by 15:45.
The ride is only 15–25 minutes, but the margin covers shuttle queues on multi-ship days, buses that stop at several ships and scarce taxis. On bus 13, catch one that reaches Souda at least 60 minutes before all-aboard. From the harbour leave 115 minutes before, from Nea Chora 130 and from the museum 135.
| All-aboard | Leave the harbour | Be at the market stop | Leave Nea Chora | Leave the museum |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16:00 | 14:05 | 14:15 | 13:50 | 13:45 |
| 17:30 | 15:35 | 15:45 | 15:20 | 15:15 |
| 18:00 | 16:05 | 16:15 | 15:50 | 15:45 |
If something goes wrong, take a taxi from the rank in town or call Souda Radio Taxi (+30 28210 89555); the ride is about 15–20 minutes. If you will miss all-aboard, call the port agent number on your daily programme straight away. To work out times for your own call, plan your day with your own all-aboard time.
Common mistakes
- ·Trying to walk from Souda to Chania. It is 6.5–7 km on a busy road. Take the shuttle, bus 13 or a taxi.
- ·Boarding the wrong return shuttle, or getting off at the wrong pier. Check the ship name on the bus. Return buses may stop at several ships.
- ·Buying the bus ticket on board. It costs €2.80 instead of €1.80, and on-board sales are cash only.
- ·Planning the Archaeological Museum on a Tuesday, or expecting it in the Old Town. It is closed on Tuesdays and is in Halepa, 30 minutes' walk from the centre.
- ·Booking Balos or Elafonisi from the port. Both are more than 1.5 hours each way from Chania. Choose Nea Chora or Agii Apostoli instead.
Accessibility
There is no tender transfer. Old Town paving is uneven and polished, and the breakwater is not suitable for wheelchairs. City buses and taxis may not take wheelchairs without advance arrangement, so a ship shuttle or pre-booked accessible transfer is safer. The harbour front is the most level route.
For sights, beaches and food, see the full Chania port guide.
FAQ
Can you walk from Chania cruise port to the Old Town?
No. Ships dock at Souda, 6.5–7 km from Chania by a busy main road. Take the shuttle, bus 13 or a taxi, then walk the Old Town.
How do I get from Souda cruise port to Chania Old Town?
Take the cruise shuttle from near the pier (15–25 minutes) or city bus 13 (about 20–25 minutes, €1.80 bought before boarding, 2026). From the Municipal Market it is about 10 minutes' walk to the Venetian Harbour.
How much is the bus from Souda port to Chania?
€1.80 each way if you buy the ticket at a kiosk or ticket point before boarding, or €2.80 on board, cash only (Zone B, 2026). A return on advance tickets is €3.60.
How much is a taxi from Souda to Chania?
There is no published fixed fare, so agree the price before you leave. The ride takes about 15–20 minutes and a taxi takes up to four people.
How long before all-aboard should I leave Chania?
Be at the shuttle stop by the Municipal Market 105 minutes before all-aboard: 15:45 for a 17:30 all-aboard. Leave earlier from the museum or the beach.
Sources
- ·Chania Urban KTEL – Tickets (fares and zones)
- ·Chania Urban KTEL – Routes (line 13 Souda Port)
- ·Hellenic Heritage (hh.gr) – Archaeological Museum of Chania
- ·Adventour Begins – Chania cruise port guide (May 2026)
- ·Cruise Deals Tips and Tricks – Chania (Souda) port guide (2026)
- ·CruiseMapper – Souda-Chania port
- ·Greeka – Chania ports
- ·The Mediterranean Traveller – Chania bus guide