How Balos tours differ
You reach Balos Lagoon by road with a final walk, or by boat from Kissamos. Tours follow the same split. A boat trip takes you to the lagoon and usually to the island of Gramvousa as well. A land transfer drops you at the upper car park, and you walk the last stretch yourself. A jeep safari is a different product again, priced per vehicle.
The examples below come from single operators. They show what one product costs, not a market range. A listed price does not show whether seats are free on your day, and several fees sit on top of the ticket.
Balos tour examples compared
Prices for 2026 as published by the operators. Each row is one operator's product.
| Tour | Time | Season or windows | Adult price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boat to Balos and Gramvousa (Cretan Daily Cruises) | About 7 hours, express 5 hours in high season | Daily, April to October | €40 (€45 from 15 July to 15 September) |
| Boat to Balos only (Cretan Daily Cruises) | Shorter, no Gramvousa stop | Daily, April to October | €36 (€40 from 15 July to 15 September) |
| Bus transfer to the upper car park (Strata Tours) | Departures 08:00–13:00, 09:30–14:30, 11:30–16:30 | Start opposite the museum in Kissamos | €27 |
| Sunset jeep safari to Balos and Falasarna (Strata Tours) | 4 hours | – | €300 per jeep |
| Boat to Gramvousa and Balos (Blue Cruises) | Departs Kissamos 10:50, back from Balos 16:20 | Check the season on the booking page | Check the booking page |
Children pay less on the boat: €24 for ages 3 to 12 on the combined trip outside high season, free up to 2 years. The jeep safari is a separate product from the bus transfer, so do not read its price as a per-person fare.
Our picks: Balos tours compared
A boat from Kissamos, a jeep from Kissamos and a day trip with lunch from Chania.
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.
Balos and Falasarna day trip with lunch and loungers
Balos entry is included, along with lunch at Falasarna, a first beer or wine, loungers and umbrellas, and air-conditioned transport.
Check availability →
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.
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Full-day boat cruise to Balos and Gramvousa
Return boat ride to both stops, with crew and an audio guide. The €1 municipal fee per passenger over 13 and any hotel transfer are extra, and food and drinks only come with the matching option.
Check availability →Balos tours and day trips from Chania
Boat trips, jeep tours and day trips to Balos and Gramvousa, with live prices and availability.
Which kind of tour fits you
Four ways to see Balos, with the trade-offs.
Boat from Kissamos
The boat covers both the lagoon and Gramvousa. The programme lists about 2 hours on Gramvousa, a 20-minute crossing and about 2.5 hours at Balos, though the order can vary. Arrive at the harbour 40 minutes before departure. The operator describes the trip as unsuitable for guests with significant mobility limits.
Boat trip guide →Land transfer and walk
The transfer saves you the drive on the gravel track. You still walk down to the lagoon and back up, and the way back takes longer in the heat. The operator recommends closed shoes and says the transfer is not suitable for pregnant women. Children up to 4 years travel free without a seat.
Getting to Balos →Your own car
This gives the most freedom, but the final stretch of road is a track. Some rental contracts exclude tyre and underbody damage on it, even with full insurance. Read your own terms before you drive.
Day trip from Chania
Chania is about 43 km from the port at Kavonisi. Published offers differ in what they include: transfer, boat, a meal and the local fee. Do not add up prices from different sources, and compare complete offers instead.
Chania as a base →What to check before you book
The details differ more than the headline prices do.
Extra fees
The municipality collects €1 per passenger over 13 on the boat, paid before boarding. The land transfer operator names €1 for visitors over 12, paid at the municipal kiosk. A meal on the boat costs €13. The audio guide and VAT are included in the boat ticket.
Weather and cancellation
The boat operator's terms promise a refund of the ticket price if the trip is cancelled because of weather. Route and times can change for weather or an order from the authorities. Cancel at least 24 hours before departure for a full fare refund, according to the same terms.
Time slots
A system of electronic time slots for Balos has been proposed in the press, with a limit of 1,200 people per 3 hours. It is a proposal, not a booking requirement for visitors. Check the current rules before your date.
Heat and footwear
There is little natural shade at the lagoon. Bring water, sun protection and sturdy shoes, especially for the walk from the car park. If you take the boat, the operator advises sturdy shoes for the Gramvousa climb too.
Rules in the protected area
Balos is part of a Natura 2000 area. The municipality lists a ban on camping, fires, smoking on the beach, littering and damaging vegetation. Do not take sand or shells away.
Balos Beach and the rules →Plan the rest of your trip
Where the tours fit.
Balos tours: frequently asked questions
What is the best way to see Balos?
It depends on what you want. The boat includes Gramvousa and spares you the road. The land transfer is cheaper and leaves time at the lagoon, but you walk down and up. Your own car gives freedom, with a gravel track and a walk at the end. The table above compares single examples, not a ranking.
How much does a Balos boat trip cost?
One operator lists €40 for adults for Balos and Gramvousa from April to 14 July and from 16 September to 31 October 2026, and €45 from 15 July to 15 September. Balos only costs €36 and €40. Another operator shows two different prices on its own pages, so confirm the amount when you book.
Is there a public bus to Balos?
No regular bus line runs to the lagoon. The public bus goes from Chania to Kissamos, with separate stops for the town and for Kissamos Port. A commercial land transfer is a tour, not a bus line.
Can I do Balos as a day trip from Chania?
Yes. Public buses leave Chania for Kissamos Port at 08:15 and 15:30, and the return bus leaves the port at 18:30 after the Balos and Gramvousa ships arrive. This is the October 2026 timetable, so check the current one before you go.
Are the trails to Balos ever closed?
Yes, for short periods. In late August 2026 the trails to and from Balos were temporarily banned because of strong wind and high fire risk. Check the current situation before you walk.