Souda-Chania Cruise Port

Souda–Chania, located on the northwest coast of Crete, Greece, is one of the most important cruise ports in the eastern Mediterranean. Situated in Souda Bay, about 6 km from the historic city of Chania, the port welcomes both large and small cruise ships. Visitors arriving here can explore the Venetian charm of Chania, archaeological treasures, and the stunning Cretan landscape.

Overview of Souda-Chania Port Cruise

The Port of Souda-Chania is a deep-water harbor on the northwest coast of Crete, Greece, serving as the cruise terminal and main port for the city of Chania. Located in the strategically important Souda Bay, the port offers safe, year-round berthing for cruise ships and ferries.

Souda-Chania Port Cruise’s overview is shown in the table below:

Category	Details
Country	Greece
Region	Crete (Chania Regional Unit)
Coordinates	35°29′ N, 24°04′ E
Port Type	Deep-water natural harbor and cruise terminal
Draft Depth	Up to 12 meters (39 feet)
Harbor Type	Natural bay (Souda Bay)
Vessel Arrivals	200+ annually (cruise ships, ferries, naval vessels)
Cruise Season	April–November (peak in summer)
Key Attractions	Chania Old Town & Venetian Harbor, Archaeological Museum, Samaria Gorge, Aptera ruins, local beaches (Agia Marina, Elafonisi)
Cruise Lines	MSC Cruises, Celestyal Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Holland America Line
Facilities	Cruise terminal with customs, passenger reception, shuttle services
Accessibility	20–30 min from Chania International Airport (CHQ)
Currency Used	Euro (EUR)
Language Spoken	Greek (English widely spoken)

What are the Port of Souda-Chania Cruise Terminals?

The Souda-Chania Port serves as Crete’s main cruise gateway, located 7 km from the city of Chania in Souda Bay, a large natural harbor. Cruise passengers disembark at Souda, with easy transport to Chania’s historic Venetian harbor and Old Town. From Souda, visitors can explore Chania’s narrow streets, visit the Maritime Museum, sample Cretan cuisine, or venture further to attractions like the Samaria Gorge. Basic port amenities are available, along with taxis and shuttle buses to the city center.

The following are the Souda-Chania Cruise Port Terminals:

• • Souda-Chania Cruise Terminal AA

• • Cruise Terminal A

• • Souda-Chania Cruise Terminal B

• • Cruise Terminal C

• • Terminals D, E, as well as F

• • Souda-Chania Cruise Terminal G

• • Cruise Terminal J

• • Souda-Chania Cruise Terminal V

Which are the Souda-Chania Cruise Lines?

There are many different cruise lines that sail to the Souda–Chania port, but the Souda–Chania Cruise Lines do not exist as a single entity; instead, various cruise lines include Souda (Crete) as a port of call on their itineraries, with popular lines such as Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Cunard, and Seabourn frequently visiting the area.

The following list contains Souda-Chania Cruise Lines and other related information:

Cruise Line	Address	Contact Number
MSC Cruises	Avenue Eugène-Pittard 16, 1206 Geneva, Switzerland	+41 22 703 8282
Celestyal Cruises	11 Athinas Ave, 105 54 Athens, Greece	+30 216 400 9821
Norwegian Cruise Line	7665 Corporate Center Dr, Miami, FL 33126, USA	+1 866-234-7350
Royal Caribbean	1050 Caribbean Way, Miami, FL 33132, USA	+1 305-341-0204
Holland America Line	450 Third Ave W, Seattle, WA 98119, USA	+1 877-932-4259

Does the Cruise Port in Souda-Chania have Accessible Facilities?

Yes, the Cruise Port in Souda-Chania offers some accessible facilities, including a terminal with basic amenities like toilets, an information desk, and seating, with options for wheelchair-accessible transportation like tours and vans readily available from local providers. While the port itself is basic, various companies offer accessible shore excursions and transfers specifically for wheelchair users, ensuring a more comfortable experience for visitors with accessibility needs.

In case of the requirement of the following, the agents can help:

• • Information in an accessible format

• • An ADA-related concern

• • Accommodation for a program or service

Additionally, Souda-Chania Cruise Port offers accessible parking for people with disabilities.

• • Throughout at Souda-Chania Cruise Port Terminals, TTY/TDD phones are available.

• • From here, callers who are deaf/hard of hearing can dial 711 to the Crete Greece Relay Service.

• • Along with these, at Souda-Chania Cruise Port, transit services and ground transportation are available for disabled persons.

Is There Parking Available at Souda-Chania Cruise Ship Port?

Yes, there is dedicated parking available at the Souda-Chania Cruise Ship Port with options for both short-term and long-term stays, including open-air and covered spots, right across from the passenger terminal. While the port itself offers parking, the most convenient options for visitors coming from further away are to use the local bus or taxi services to reach the port from Chania town.

Souda-Chania Port Parking at the South Side

• • Multi-Level Garage J

• • Multi-Level Garage K

Northside Souda-Chania Port Parking

• • Multi-Level Garage AA

• • Multi-Level Garage B

• • Multi-Level Garage D

• • Surface Lot D

• • Multi-Level Garage G

• • Surface Lot E

• • Multi-Level Garage A

• • Multi-Level Garage C

• • Multi-Level Garage G

• • Multi-Level Garage G

How to Reach Souda-Chania Cruise Port?

To reach Chania’s Old Town from the Souda cruise port, take the frequently departing shuttle bus offered by the port, or use a taxi. The shuttle bus, which costs a few euros, drops passengers off near the Old Market, requiring a short walk to the Venetian Harbour, while taxis offer a more direct but potentially pricier ride. Alternatively, a public bus runs between Souda and Chania, but it is less convenient for cruise passengers due to its irregular schedule. Further, rental cars, taxis, etc., are private transit available to reach Souda-Chania Cruise Port on time. In addition, shuttles and limos are accessible.

Note: For every transit, different rates and schedules are available.

How to Check the Port of Souda-Chania Cruise Schedule?

To check the most up-to-date Port of Souda-Chania Cruise schedule, online and offline ways are available. With an offline way, a passenger can make a call to the specific cruise line for details. Further, to check schedules online, one needs to visit the official website of the particular cruise line. Here, different schedules are available with varying locations and costs. One can make the same reservation based on necessity and budget.

What is the Map of Souda-Chania Cruise Port?

The configuration of the Port of Souda-Chania is depicted visually in the map of Souda-Chania Cruise Port. It displays its buildings and terminals. Travelers can use this map to plan their cruise experience, find amenities, and navigate the port. Additionally, it highlights parking amenities, transit choices, and neighboring attractions. This can make it a vital tool for them to leave Souda-Chania to take a cruise.

View All: Ports

Which Destinations are Served by Cruise Port in Souda-Chania?

The cruise port at Souda–Chania serves as a gateway to other popular destinations, including the nearby islands of Mykonos and Santorini, as well as mainland cities like Athens (Piraeus) and Kusadasi (for Ephesus). It also provides access to other Cretan attractions and is a good location for cruises to Italy, Cyprus, and the Middle East.

Below are some destinations served by the Cruise Port in Souda-Chania:

Destination	Description
Chania, Crete	Venetian old town, harbor, museums, and lively markets
Heraklion, Crete	Crete’s capital with Knossos Palace and archaeological museum
Rethymno, Crete	Charming old town with Venetian fortress
Samaria Gorge, Crete	One of Europe’s longest gorges, a top hiking destination
Elafonisi, Crete	Famous pink-sand beach with turquoise waters
Santorini, Greece	Iconic island with caldera views, whitewashed houses, and vineyards
Rhodes, Greece	Medieval old town, beaches, and ancient ruins
Athens (Piraeus), Greece	Capital city with Acropolis, Parthenon, and historical landmarks

How to Contact a Cruise Port in Souda-Chania?

There are different ways available to contact a Souda-Chania Port Cruise. Visiting the port is one of the straightforward ways. This way is more suitable for domestic customers. Further, telephone numbers, FAX, emailing, and other ways are available to connect to Cruise Port in Souda-Chania. For disabled persons as well, specific contact numbers are accessible.

Port Authority	Contact Details
Chania Port Authority (OLKED S.A.)	Souda Bay Port, 73200 Chania, Crete, Greece
Phone	+30 28210 89240
Fax	+30 28210 89241
Email	info@olked.gr
Website	www.olked.gr
Emergency Contact	112 (National Emergency Number in Greece)
TTY (for Disabled Persons)	Available via Greek National Relay Service

In Sum,

One of the main entry points for cruise travel is Souda-Chania Cruise Port. Sometimes referred to as PortSouda-Chania provides convenient access to the Caribbean as well as cutting-edge terminals. It is among the busiest and most well-liked cruises in the globe because of its ideal locations, contemporary amenities, and effective operations. This can give passengers a smooth and thrilling beginning to their trips.

Frequently Asked Questions on Souda-Chania Cruise Port