The island of Chalki has no airport or heliport, and its only harbour, often referred to as ‘Emporio’, is situated right in the centre of Chalki town.

The only way to get there is by regular ferries or on a cruise from Rhodes, where the nearest airport, Rhodes (RHO), is located.

Regular ferries

Chalki has year-round ferry services, but from November to April the ferries do not run every day and accommodation options are also very limited.

During the summer, from May to October, there are two types of ferry.

A high-speed ferry for foot passengers only from western Rhodes

The most frequent service is provided by Veli Travel (Nissos Halki), which operates a ferry called the “AEGEAN GEM”.

This route is state-subsidised and was previously operated by Alko Travel, which still occasionally appears in search engines, even though it has not sailed the Rhodes–Chalki route for several years.

The ferries carry foot passengers only and sail from the port of Kamiros Skala(sometimes also referred to as “Skala Kamirou”) on the west coast of Rhodes.

• Frequency– 3 to 4 times a day
• Journey time– 45 minutes
• One-way ticket price– 15 eur (a return ticket costs 30 eur)

Buy your tickets in advance

We recommend buying your ferry ticket at least 3 days in advance! This is because the ferry’s capacity is often sold out by major tour operators such as TUI, who offer their clients organised trips to Chalki from Rhodes.

It is therefore often the case that the crossing is fully booked, particularly the morning sailings from Rhodes to Chalki and the afternoon sailings back from Chalki to Rhodes.

Please only buy your ticket via the official websitenissoshalki.com.

The price is 14 eur.

You must exchange your online ticket for a paper ticket at the ticket office at the pier. Simply show your purchase confirmation on your mobile.

Large car ferries from Rhodes Town

Several companies operate ferries from the main port in Rhodes Townto Chalki – for example, Blue Star Ferries, Saos Ferries and Dodekanisos Seaways.

• Frequency– 4 to 6 times a week (on some days there are more sailings, on others none at all)
• Journey time– 70 minutes with Dodekanisos Seaways (fast ferries for foot passengers only), 105 minutes with other operators (large car ferries)
• One-way fare– 10 eur for slower ferries, 24 eur for Dodekanisos Seaways
• Car fare– from 37 eur

You can compare ferry prices and buy tickets via Directferries.com, for example.

Buy a ferry ticket – directferries.com

Ferries to other islands

Direct services with no need to change ferries, but with a few stops on other islands, are mainly operated by Blue Star Ferries and Saos Ferries.

Ferries usually sail once or twice a week, and ticket prices range from 20 eur to 40 eur for pedestrians, and from 80 eur to 120 eur for cars.

From Chalki, you can reach the following destinations without changing ferries, with the following journey times:

• Athens (Piraeus) – from 16.5 hours
• Heraklion (Crete) – 9.5 hours
• Sitia (Crete) – 7 hours
• Tilos – 35 minutes
• Kos – 2.5 hours
• Karpathos – 2.5 hours
• and more

Compare prices and buy a ticket

Organised tours

There are also organised or private boat trips from the island of Rhodes to Chalki, which you can book at Mandraki Harbour in Rhodes Town or online, for example via getyourguide.com.

Prices for full-day trips range from 45 eur to 120 eur.

Optional excursions from hotels in seaside resorts are also offered by tour operators and travel agencies.