From 15 November 2026 to 15 March 2027, Chios airport takes no commercial flights, according to the Greek press (official status still to be confirmed): you reach the island by ferry. From Piraeus, according to Ferryhopper listings, the crossing takes 6h06 to 6h45; from Mytilene, about 2h15.
Checked on against the sources cited in this article (Greek press, Ferryhopper, Ferryscanner, Euronews, Your Europe).
Planning Chios this winter? The first bad news concerns the plane. The island’s airport will take no commercial flights from Sunday 15 November 2026 to Monday 15 March 2027, according to the Greek press. A 50 to 55 minute flight from Athens is therefore off the table for four months. This guide sets out what closes exactly, which routes stay open (ferry from Piraeus, ferry from Mytilene or Psara, crossing from Çeşme), their journey times and fares checked on 18 October 2026, and the points to confirm before you book.
1. What closes, and when
The Greek press gives the same timetable. Chios airport, IATA code JKH, is named after Omiros, or « Homer » in English-language sources. Its closure to commercial flights starts on Sunday 15 November 2026 in the evening, around 10 pm UTC according to the report, and is due to end on Monday 15 March 2027 in the evening. The works, for their part, target completion on 28 February 2027 (Argophilia, 16 October 2026).
The official reason is works on runway 01/19. It is about 1,511 metres long today and must reach 1,799 metres to take larger aircraft (Wikipedia EN, checked 18 October 2026, and Argophilia). Argophilia links these works to a renovation programme covering eight regional airports in Greece. The decision is contested on the island: the municipal council has voted to mobilise on Monday 19 October 2026 (News 24/7, 16 October 2026).
Two points remain unclear at the time of checking. The first is the administrative status. Euronews reports that a NOTAM has already been published; reference B1561/26, reported by Politischios.gr and picked up by News 24/7, could not be read. To Vima and Greek City Times said on 15 October 2026, however, that no formal notice had yet been published. Check the official notice before you book. The second is the reopening: no date for the return of scheduled flights has been published.
What is confirmed: no fixed-wing commercial flight is planned for the period (News 24/7; Argophilia, 16 October 2026). There is one exception. Some helicopters may land on the apron, on 60 minutes’ notice, for medical evacuations, state flights, emergencies, humanitarian aid, rescue and firefighting (News 24/7, 16 October 2026). If your trip involves medical follow-up, speak to your doctor before you travel: the research covers neither care on the island nor hospitals, and only helicopter evacuations are planned.
If you already have a flight to Chios for this period, contact the airline first about a change or a refund. According to Your Europe (checked 18 October 2026), in case of cancellation you are entitled to a refund or rerouting. Compensation of €250, €400 or €600 may also be due, depending on distance, unless extraordinary circumstances apply or you were told far enough ahead. The 14-day rule (Article 5 of Regulation 261/2004, to confirm on EUR-Lex) means there is no compensation if you were told about the cancellation at least 14 days before the flight. The announcement was made on 15 and 16 October 2026, more than 14 days before 15 November, so this rule could rule out compensation for the affected flights: check your ticket case by case.
2. The routes at a glance
Several routes still reach Chios. The table lists the links checked on 18 October 2026. Winter timetables are not on the operator sites we could read, so treat each line as something to confirm. For what shuts after winter and seasonal route closures, our end-of-season guide to Greece 2026 sets out what closes and when.
| Route | Operator | Winter frequency | Journey time | Indicative price (one way) | Status in winter 2026-2027 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Piraeus – Chios | Blue Star Ferries | 6 to 7 sailings a week | 6h06 to 6h45 | from €34.50 | Year-round |
| Mytilene – Chios | To be confirmed | Not stated on the listings | About 2h15 | from €14 | Year-round |
| Psara – Chios | To be confirmed | Not stated on the listings | About 2h50 | from €10 | Year-round |
| Çeşme (Turkey) – Chios | Ertürk Lines | One source shows one departure a day, not confirmed | 28 to 45 minutes | about €40 | Running, timetable to be confirmed |
| Lavrio – Mesta (Chios) | To be confirmed | June to August only | Not stated | Not stated | Out of season, no service |
| Athens – Chios (flight) | Aegean, Sky Express (before the closure) | No commercial flights | 50 to 55 minutes in the air | Not applicable | Closed 15 November 2026 to 15 March 2027 |
Source: Ferryhopper, Chios timetables, feribotseferleri.com.tr, Çeşme – Chios and Argophilia, checked on 18 October 2026. Timetables and fares to be confirmed with the operators.
3. By ferry from Piraeus, the simplest option
The direct ferry from Piraeus is the clearest option: one ticket, no connection, and a route listed all year. Blue Star Ferries runs the line according to Ferryhopper listings, with 6 to 7 sailings a week out of season and a crossing of 6h06 to 6h45 on the listings checked on 18 October 2026. The fare starts at €34.50 one way, with no fare date visible: it depends on the day, the class and the time.
Piraeus – Chios, by direct ferry
Three points matter for the day. First, Piraeus is not the airport: you will need to get from Athens airport to Piraeus, by public transport or taxi (journey time not checked for this article), and leave a margin before boarding. Next, some sailings leave in the evening or at night according to the listings, so a cabin may be worth it. Finally, winter seas can change plans. Operators publish notices about route changes for bad weather: Blue Star in December 2025 for a route that includes Chios, and Hellenic Seaways in January and February 2026 (operators’ websites, checked 18 October 2026).
Highlights
- One ticket, with no connection to manage.
- A route listed year-round, with no seasonal window to watch.
- A fare from €34.50 one way.
Once you reach Chios port, buses to the south of the island follow KTEL timetables, which we could not check for this article. To see the island without waiting for a bus, a private day tour is worth comparing. It does not replace the journey: it is a tour of the island. One Viator listing has only 4 reviews, but its availability and price were checked for dates from 16 November to 15 December 2026.
4. Mytilene and Psara: two short crossings, year-round
From the neighbouring islands, the crossing is much shorter. Mytilene, on Lesbos, is about 2h15 by sea from Chios, from €14. Psara, smaller, is about 2h50 away, from €10 (Ferryhopper, checked 18 October 2026). Both links show as year-round, but the listings give neither the winter frequency nor the operator for each. Confirm both before you build an itinerary around them.
To reach Mytilene by air, we did not find a reliable winter frequency on the flight listings we checked. If you find a flight to Mytilene (MJT) or Samos (SMI) on your date, compare the flight-and-ferry combination with the direct ferry from Piraeus, since the crossing from Mytilene is much shorter. To compare sea links across the region on other dates, our Mediterranean ferry guide 2026 covers fares and the main operators.
Mytilene or Psara – Chios, by ferry
These two routes are the cheapest sea links we checked. They suit travellers who are already passing through one of these islands, or who have found a flight to Mytilene. Psara is a small neighbouring island and a possible stop on the way to Chios. Buy the ticket online with the operator and check the sailing time for your day, as the listings we checked do not show a winter frequency.
Highlights
- A short crossing: about 2h15 from Mytilene.
- Starting fares of €14 (Mytilene) and €10 (Psara), against €34.50 from Piraeus.
- An option that also works for travellers already in the neighbouring islands.
5. From Turkey via Çeşme: the shortest crossing, but the most controlled
The crossing between Çeşme on the Turkish coast and Chios is the shortest from the mainland: 28 to 45 minutes at sea depending on the source, for about €40 one way (feribotseferleri.com.tr, checked 18 October 2026). Ertürk Lines operates the crossing according to the sources, but its website could not be reached during our research, and its winter timetable is not confirmed. The pages we read give different departure times from one source to another. Do not plan a tight connection around a Çeşme sailing without confirming it with the operator.
The route crosses an external border of the Schengen area, with a check on arrival in Greece. The Entry/Exit System (EES) has been fully operational for non-EU nationals since 10 April 2026 (Eucrim, checked 18 October 2026). For UK passport holders, GOV.UK’s Greece entry requirements page describes the EES as « now being implemented across the Schengen area »: on your first entry you may be asked to give fingerprints and a photo, and the page says Greek authorities have indicated they will not collect biometric data from UK travellers. The page does not mention ETIAS, and it does not cover travel to or from Turkey. Its passport rules are that the passport must have been issued less than 10 years before arrival and must expire at least 3 months after you plan to leave the Schengen area. If in doubt, contact the Greek Embassy in the UK.
For Turkish citizens, the door visa allows a stay of up to 7 days on 12 Aegean islands, including Chios, without a prior Schengen visa. The stay cannot be extended, and it does not allow travel to mainland Greece or to other Schengen countries (Euronews, 31 July 2026). We found no official text confirming its renewal for 2026: check with the Greek authorities before you travel. For the Turkish coast itself, our 2026 safety guide to Turkey can help you prepare.
Çeşme – Chios, the short crossing
For anyone already on the Turkish Aegean coast, the crossing avoids a flight and a connection in Athens. It does, however, need more paperwork than a ferry from Piraeus: a valid passport, a check of your entry status, and timetables confirmed on the day.
Highlights
- The shortest crossing from the Turkish coast: 28 to 45 minutes.
- A fare of about €40 one way.
- No flight to book if you are already on site.
6. Three sample routes for winter
The durations below combine the crossings we checked with connection times that still need checking on the ground. They are examples to help you plan, not guaranteed timetables.
- From Athens, by direct ferry. Transfer from Athens airport to Piraeus (duration to check), boarding, then the 6h06 to 6h45 crossing according to the listings. Allow the best part of a day between landing in Athens and arriving at Chios port. This suits anyone who wants a single journey and accepts the length. If you spend a night in Athens, our guide to the best day trips from Athens helps you use the time.
- Flight to Mytilene, then ferry. Approach flight to confirm, as no reliable winter frequency was found; transfer to Mytilene port; then about 2h15 at sea. This suits anyone who already has a flight or wants to shorten the crossing from the mainland.
- From the Turkish coast, via Çeşme. Route to Çeşme (distance and journey time to check), then 28 to 45 minutes at sea. This suits anyone already on the Turkish Aegean coast who can work with a single operator.
7. Budget: what each option costs
The prices below are « from » fares given by aggregators or operators, and most show no fare date. They are there to compare options, not to build a budget to the cent.
- Piraeus – Chios: from €34.50 one way, so at least €69 return at the same fare (calculated from the starting price).
- Mytilene – Chios: from €14 one way, so at least €28 return.
- Psara – Chios: from €10 one way, so at least €20 return.
- Çeşme – Chios: about €40 one way per adult, so about €80 return.
- Flight to Mytilene or Samos: not priced. The flight listings we checked give no reliable winter fare.
For a couple, double these amounts. Remember these are starting prices: class, cabin and luggage can push them up, and the listings we checked do not detail those extras. The same journey can vary a lot from one day to the next. Check the operator’s website for your exact date before you commit, and compare with a same-day connection, not just an average price.
8. Which option for which traveller
The choice depends less on the price than on your departure point, your tolerance for connections and your date. The table gives one option per profile, based on the data in the table in section 2.
| Profile | Recommended option | Why |
|---|---|---|
| You want a single journey, with no connection | Direct ferry from Piraeus | One ticket, a 6h06 to 6h45 crossing according to the listings, day and night sailings. |
| You already have a flight to Mytilene | Ferry Mytilene – Chios | About 2h15 at sea, from €14. Check the connection for the day. |
| You are travelling on the lowest fare | Ferry Psara – Chios, if your route goes through Psara | From €10, about 2h50 at sea. Winter frequency to confirm. |
| You are already on the Turkish coast | Ferry Çeşme – Chios | 28 to 45 minutes at sea, about €40. Paperwork and timetable to check, with a night’s margin. |
| You cannot afford to lose the day | Flight to Mytilene or Samos, if a winter flight runs on your date | Not confirmed. Without a verified flight on your date, take the ferry from Piraeus. |
| You are travelling with ongoing medical care | Speak to your doctor before you go | The research covers neither care on the island nor hospitals. Only helicopter evacuations are planned, on 60 minutes’ notice. |
Recommendations based on the journey times, prices and statuses in the table in section 2, checked on 18 October 2026 (Ferryhopper, Ferryscanner, feribotseferleri.com.tr, News 24/7).
9. Mistakes to avoid
- Keeping a flight to Chios without confirming it. Before you book or keep a ticket, check the official status of the closure. The NOTAM, for one, is contested (see section 1).
- Counting on Lavrio – Mesta in winter. This route is seasonal, June to August according to the listings (Ferryhopper and Ferryscanner, 18 October 2026). For Mesta in winter, go via Piraeus or Mytilene, then take the KTEL bus from Chios port: its winter frequency has not been checked (KTEL not consulted).
- Planning a tight connection. Operators have published route change notices for bad weather in winter 2025-2026. Leave at least half a day between a flight and a departure.
- Ignoring the strike risk. A general strike on 28 February 2026 cancelled ferries and flights in Greece (Grandpl.com, checked 18 October 2026). Read your insurance’s cancellation terms before you travel.
- Taking an aggregator listing for a guaranteed timetable. Ferryhopper and Ferryscanner listings are indicative. Only the operator guarantees the sailing time.
What other guides don’t settle
- Boarding deadline at Piraeus. Not in the pages we checked: ask Blue Star or the port desk the day before (checked 18 October 2026).
- Samos – Chios ferry. No listing we checked on 18 October 2026 gives a reliable winter frequency. Confirm the connection before you buy a flight to Samos.
- ETIAS for non-EU travellers. No launch date is confirmed, and the official page was not read (attempt on 18 October 2026, no usable content). Check travel-europe.europa.eu.
- Passenger rights on the ferry. Regulation (EU) 1177/2010 was not read (Your Europe, checked 18 October 2026). No compensation amount is given here: check the text on EUR-Lex.
Prepare for winter: connectivity and insurance
An eSIM installs before you travel. It saves looking for a SIM card on arrival, which helps if your journey changes at the last minute. Plans vary by country and duration.
Travel insurance can cover medical costs and some travel incidents, depending on the plan. Read the exclusions: strikes, bad weather and flight cancellation are the cases to check closely this winter.
Frequently asked questions about getting to Chios in winter
Can you still fly to Chios this winter?
No, not for commercial flights, from 15 November 2026 to 15 March 2027 according to the Greek press (official status to be confirmed). Only helicopters may land on the apron, on 60 minutes’ notice, for specific missions: emergencies, state flights, rescue or firefighting. News 24/7, 16 October 2026.
What are the exact closure dates for Chios airport?
The Greek press announces a closure starting on Sunday 15 November 2026 in the evening and due to end on Monday 15 March 2027 in the evening. The works, for their part, target completion on 28 February 2027. The administrative status of the NOTAM is contested: confirm it on the official notice before you book. Argophilia, 16 October 2026.
How long is the ferry from Piraeus to Chios?
Ferryhopper listings checked on 18 October 2026 show a crossing of 6h06 to 6h45 on the direct route, with 6 to 7 sailings a week out of season. Some sailings leave in the evening or at night: check the time for your travel day, as official winter timetables are not published on the sites we checked. Ferryhopper.
Which ferries serve Chios in winter?
According to Ferryhopper, the year-round links are Piraeus – Chios, Mytilene – Chios (about 2h15) and Psara – Chios (about 2h50). The Lavrio – Mesta link is seasonal, June to August. From Turkey, Çeşme – Chios is run by Ertürk Lines, with winter timetables to be confirmed.
Can you reach Chios from Turkey, and do you need a visa?
Yes, via Çeşme, in 28 to 45 minutes at sea. For UK passport holders, GOV.UK says visa-free travel is allowed for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, and gives passport validity rules that are worth checking before you travel. A Turkish citizen can use the door visa: up to 7 days on 12 islands including Chios, with no extension. Euronews, 31 July 2026.
What if my flight to Chios is cancelled?
Ask the airline for a refund or rerouting. According to Your Europe, compensation of €250, €400 or €600 may be due depending on distance, unless extraordinary circumstances apply or you were informed far enough ahead. The 14-day rule (Article 5 of Regulation 261/2004) can rule out compensation if you were told at least 14 days before the flight: to confirm on EUR-Lex. Keep written proof of the cancellation and of your request. Your Europe, checked 18 October 2026.
When does Chios airport reopen?
No reopening date for flights was confirmed at the time of checking. The works target completion by 28 February 2027, and the announced end of closure is 15 March 2027. Resumption then depends on the runway being returned to service and certified, which has not been published yet.
Do ferries get cancelled in bad weather?
Operators sometimes change their routes for bad weather. Blue Star published a notice of this kind in December 2025 for a route that includes Chios, and Hellenic Seaways in January and February 2026. These notices cover route changes, not a general shutdown. Blue Star Ferries, checked 18 October 2026.
Is there a flight alternative to Chios?
Flights have been listed to Mytilene (MJT) and Samos (SMI), followed by a ferry. No winter frequency was confirmed at the time of checking. If you find one for your date, compare the connection with the direct ferry from Piraeus, which is still the simplest option to confirm.
Sources and dates checked
- News 24/7: closure, dates, helicopter exception (16 October 2026)
- Argophilia: runway works, completion target 28 February 2027 (16 October 2026)
- Argophilia, eight regional airports: runway renovation programme
- Euronews: closure and contested NOTAM (15 October 2026)
- To Vima: no formal notice as of 15 October 2026
- Wikipedia EN, Chios Island National Airport: runway length (checked 18 October 2026)
- Ferryhopper, Chios timetables: journey times, frequencies and starting fares (checked 18 October 2026)
- Ferryscanner, Lavrio – Chios: seasonal route (checked 18 October 2026)
- feribotseferleri.com.tr, Çeşme – Chios: crossing and indicative fare (checked 18 October 2026)
- Eucrim: EES fully operational since 10 April 2026
- Euronews, door visa: 7-day stay on 12 islands (31 July 2026)
- Your Europe, air passenger rights: refund, rerouting, compensation (checked 18 October 2026)
- GOV.UK, Foreign travel advice: Greece, entry requirements: passport rules, EES and visa-free stay for UK passport holders (read 18 October 2026; no ETIAS or Turkey section)
Research carried out on 18 October 2026. Timetables, fares and statuses may change: check them with the operators and the authorities before you book.
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