Kissamos in brief
Kissamos lies on a bay between Gramvousa and the Spathas peninsula, about 38 km west of Chania. The municipal guide lists the Skalidi street, the Telonio waterfront and the Archaeological Museum among the sights in town. The port and the road to the lagoon both start here, which makes it a practical base for Balos.
The bus timetable and many maps use "Kasteli" for the town, so you may see both names. The municipality of Kissamos publishes the rules for Balos and collects the €1 fee.
Town and port are not the same place
Know which one you need.
| Place | What starts there | Bus stop name |
|---|---|---|
| Kissamos town | The land transfer to Balos, which departs opposite the Museum of Kissamos; the Strata office on Tzanakaki Square | Kasteli (Kissamos) |
| Port of Kavonisi | The day boats to Balos and Gramvousa, with the ticket office opposite the ships and free parking | Kissamos Port |
The land transfer costs €27 per person in 2026 and runs in three slots: 08:00 to 13:00, 09:30 to 14:30 and 11:30 to 16:30. It ends at the upper car park, so a walk of about 1 km follows. Children up to 4 travel free without a seat. The municipal fee of €1 applies from age 13, or from 12 according to the transfer operator. Closed shoes are recommended, and the operator advises against the trip for pregnant women. Confirm 10 minutes before departure. For the boat, see the boat trip page.
Our picks: tours from Kissamos
The boat, the jeep and the off-road bus all start in Kissamos.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Off-road 4x4 jeep safari to Balos from Kissamos
Air-conditioned jeep with an English-speaking driver, plus water and a local pastry. The €1 Balos fee is not included.
Check availability →
Boat cruise to Balos Lagoon from Kissamos
Return boat ride with crew, time at Balos and an audio guide. The municipal fee of €1 per passenger over 13 is not included.
Check availability →
Off-road bus to Balos Beach from Kissamos
A 4x4 bus transfer with air conditioning and an English-speaking driver. The €1 Balos entry fee is not included.
Check availability →Tours from Kissamos
Boat trips and transfers to Balos and Gramvousa that start from Kissamos, with live prices and availability.
Buses from Kissamos in October 2026
Times from the KTEL plan valid from 9 October 2026. They are not guaranteed for the whole year.
| Connection | Days | Departures |
|---|---|---|
| Kasteli to Chania | Daily | 06:15, 07:00, 08:30, 09:30, 11:00, 12:15, 13:15, 14:30, 15:30, 17:30, 19:00, 20:45 |
| Kissamos Port to Chania | Daily | 18:30, after the Balos and Gramvousa ships arrive |
| Kasteli to Falasarna | Daily | 09:30, 10:30, 11:45, 17:00 |
| Falasarna to Kasteli | Daily | 10:00, 11:00, 12:30, 17:30, some changing at Kasteli to continue to Chania |
| Kasteli to Elafonisi | Daily | 10:00 |
| Elafonisi to Kasteli | Daily | 16:00 |
The timetable lists no fares, so ask at the bus station or check the current KTEL plan before you travel. There is no regular bus to the lagoon itself. The commercial land transfer above is a private service, not a public bus line.
Driving from Kissamos to Balos
The road starts near the town and ends at an upper car park.
The distance from Kissamos to the lagoon is given as 15 to 17 km, and a rental company's guide estimates 40 to 60 minutes. The gravel track alone is described as 8 km from Kaliviani by one source and 10 km by the municipality, so the figures depend on where they start. Allow 25 to 40 minutes for the track itself.
From the car park the path is about 1 km. It takes 20 to 30 minutes down and 30 to 45 minutes back up, which is harder in the heat. Take water and shoes with grip. A municipal kiosk at the start of the track collects the €1 fee, according to the transfer operator. Full insurance on a rental car does not always cover the track, so read your contract before you go. The getting there page has the details.
Why stay in Kissamos
Reasons for and against, compared with the other bases.
For
You are close to the port, to the start of the road to Balos and to the bus connections for Falasarna and Elafonisi. If you plan the early boat, you avoid the transfer from Chania of about 43 km to the port.
Against
The town is smaller than Chania. Elafonisi has one bus a day each way from Kasteli. Check the current opening hours and prices before you plan a museum visit.
For a comparison of Kissamos, Falasarna and Chania as bases, see where to stay. For the larger city, read about Chania.
Kissamos: frequently asked questions
Where do the Balos boats leave from?
From the port of Kavonisi, about 3 km west of Kissamos town. The boat operator's ticket office faces the ships and parking is free according to the operator.
Is Kissamos the same as Kasteli?
On the bus timetable, "Kasteli (Kissamos)" means the town and "Kissamos Port" means the harbour. They are separate stops, so check which one your bus serves.
How far is Kissamos from Chania?
About 38 km, according to the municipal guide. The October 2026 timetable lists daily buses between Chania and Kasteli.
Can I get to Balos by public bus?
No. Buses go to Kissamos and its port, and from there you take the boat or a private transfer. The regional profile of Balos states that there is no bus access.
What does the land transfer to Balos cost?
€27 per person in 2026, with three departure slots. The ride ends at the upper car park, and you walk the rest. The €1 municipal fee is extra.