Travel information
Important Information: COVID 19 Precautions
According to the new measures by the Greek government, all physical participants entering the conference rooms have to show their Certificate of vaccination or Certificate of illness issued thirty (30) days after the first positive test and its validity lasts up to one hundred and eighty (180) days after it. Mandatory use of a mask for everyone without exception throughout the stay in the covered areas of the conference center.
Before any travel arrangements, please ensure that you follow what is required for the given traveling period by the General Secretariat for Civil Protection of the Hellenic Republic, due to covid-19 restriction measures (see ‘Protocol for Arrivals in and Departures from Greece’ at https://travel.gov.gr/)
The CIHEAM MAI.Chania Conference Center prioritizes health and safety and has fully harmonized its operation with the health protocols prepared by the National Public Health Organization (EODY) of the Greek State.
The below routes & service frequencies may be subject to change due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Conference Center of MAICh is located 3 km south-east of Chania city centre, 13 km from the airport and 1 km from the port of Souda.
A detailed map of Chania city can be found here.
The city center of Chania can be reached by bus No13. Buses leave every 20min and the bus stop is located outside the MAICh premises on the main street (Souda Avenue).
Tickets cost 1.20€ one way and should be obtained in advance at any kiosk downtown. Please take into consideration that when the ticket is purchased on the bus the price rises for 0.80€.
Τhe timetable that connects MAICh with the city center (AGORA-the terminal stop as well as the departure stop from the city center to MAICh, bus No13 also departs from square 1866 which is closer to the KTEL bus station than AGORA terminal station) can be found in the Chania City Bus website”.
Taxis to the city centre cost about 10€.
The port of Souda can also be reached by bus. Taxis to Souda cost approximately 8-10€.
(Prices recorded in May 2020.)
How to reach MAICh from the Airport
The best way to reach MAICh from the airport is to take a taxi. There is no direct line connecting MAICh with the airport. The taxi costs approximately 28€. There is a taxi station just across the exit of arrivals at the airport so you don’t have to book a taxi ahead.
There is a local bus that can take you to the Central Bus Station in the city center (KTEL) from the airport (You can find the timetable at West Crete Bus Service website ). Bus tickets from airport to Chania city centre cost 2.50€.
Then you can take a taxi from the city center and come to MAICh. The cost is approximately 10Euro. There is a taxi station at the 1866 square about 30 meters away from the exit gate at the bus station (KTEL) on your right.
Τhe timetable that connects MAICh with the city center (AGORA-the terminal stop as well as the departure stop from the city center to MAICh, bus No13 also departs from square 1866 which is closer to the KTEL bus station than AGORA terminal station) can be found in the Chania City Bus website”.
The city center of Chania can be reached by bus No13. Buses leave every 20min and the bus stop is located outside the MAICh premises on the main street (Souda Avenue).
Travelling to Chania
By airplane
Chania International Airport is the closest airport. Heraklion can be an alternative but a bus journey would take 3 hours.
There are direct charter and scheduled flights connecting Chania with many European cities such us RYANAIR and Easyjet. More airlines connecting Chania with different international airports can be found at the Chania Airport web site.
Please contact your travel agent for details about charter flight schedules.
Domestic flights from the Athens International Airport are also frequent and are carried out by Olympics, Aegean Airlines and Sky Express.
By ferry
Ferries to Chania (Souda port) leave from Athens (Piraeus port) on a daily basis. The overnight/daytime trip with ANEK lines takes about 9 hours. Please check the web sites for ferry schedules. Also note that there is a direct bus service connecting Athens International Airport with Piraeus port. More information about public transport in Athens can be found here.
Chania can be reached by coach from the city of Herakleon situated 145 km (90 miles) from Chania. The bus fare is about 15€ and takes about 2.5 hours. The taxi costs approximately 160€. Herakleon, being the biggest city of Crete, is directly connected with charter/scheduled flights with many European cities. Flights to/from Athens are also frequent. Ferries from Piraeus travel to Herakleon every day. The overnight/daytime trip with MINOAN lines takes between 7-8 hours.
Weather / Climate
The climate is relatively mild, Mediterranean. During the fall and winter months north and northwest winds dominate, while in the summer the ill winds make it enjoyable. But the divine gift of the eternal sunshine allows one to start their vacation from March and end it at the end of October.
Chania has the largest amount of water in Crete (65%), and for this there is rich vegetation of plants and fruitful trees (citrus trees, olives, vines etc.) as well as semitropicals. The very clean beaches of Chania win always the “blue flags” of Europe and are accessible for all ages throughout the year.
In summer, be prepared for hot temperatures: Bring sun-block, dark glasses, and a hat.
Get the Chania Weather Forecast
