How to get to Loutro and the Old Phoenix

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Map of West Crete

The Old Phoenix is situated in the bay of Finix, 15 minutes on foot west of Loutro. Loutro can be reached by boat or ferryboat from Hora Sfakion (also called Sfakia). Alternatively it is possible to walk along the coast (2 hours from Hora Sfakion) or on a path winding down from the village of Anopolis (a little over an hour). Loutro can also be reached by boat from Paleochora, Sougia and Agia Roumeli.

You can see all the ferries time-tables here. If you need a taxi boat see here

Getting there by car

Most visitors will leave their car in Hora Sfakion. Hora Sfakion is situated by the Libyan sea, 75 km from Chania and Chania airport, 155 km from Heraklion (and 160km from its airport) and 80 km from Rethymnon. To reach it you drive on the National Road along the North coast and turn off at the village of Vrisses. From there on it is a 40 km drive south on a good but very winding (and scenic) road to Sfakia.
Alternatively , if you come from the South-east you can drive along a coastal road.

There is another alternative: you can drive up to the village of Anopolis then towards Aradena and take a left turn to Livaniana. Then a winding road carries on down the mountain to Finix. Although the drive is only about 20 km it will take about an hour as the road is very winding.

Getting there by bus

There is a direct bus from Chania to Hora Sfakion which leaves at 8.15am, 11.00am and 14.00pm. It returns from Hora Sfakion at 7.00am, 11.00am, 17.30pm and 19.00pm.
If you are coming from Rethymnon or Heraklion you will need to get off at Vrisses and catch the bus coming from Chania. The trip from Chania to Sfakia takes about 1 hour 45 minutes
Please note that this timetable is subject to changes and varies throughout the year. You can call the KTEL bus station in Chania on 2821093306 or see current time-tables here.

Getting there by taxi

A taxi from Chania airport to Hora Sfakion costs about Euro 100 and takes about 90 minutes. From Heraklion airport it costs about Euro 160 and takes about 2 and a half hours.
An excellent local taxi company, Sfakia Taxis will offer cheaper prices than these listed prices and can arrange for a taxi to be at the airport to pick you up. Please contact them directly (you can write to them in English) if you want to use this service.

Boats on the South coast

There is a boat once a day from Paleochora and Sougia to Loutro
There are numerous boats from Hora Sfakion to Loutro in the summer, less often in spring and autumn. The trip from Hora Sfakion to Loutro takes about 20 minutes and costs Euro 10.00 (in 2023).
Check the ferry-boat time-table here.

From Loutro to the Old Phoenix

On foot: Once in Loutro, the Old Phoenix is a 15 minutes walk away over the hill. If in doubt to where the path starts ask any local for the way to Finix. You definitely will not be able to pull a suitcase on this path.

By boat: There are regular boat transfers between Finix, Loutro and Hora Sfakion

The yellow boat arrives and leaves Loutro at the jetty located by Hotel Daskalogiannis'.
Please note that sailings are dependent on sea conditions and can be cancelled without prior notice

We can also arrange other times but we will have to charge you a taxi boat price (which is Euro 30 for up to 4 persons and Euro 35 at night time to/from Loutro and Euro 50 and Euro 55 at night to/from Hora Sfakion). Please call the taxi boat from Hora Sfakion, Loutro or whilst you are on the ferryboat.
Also note that it is not possible to pre-book a taxi boat days in advance from Hora Sfakion as we can never know if your planned time will be accurate. In this case phone the taxi boat when you are on your way to Hora Sfakion and have a clear idea of your arrival time.