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Because Chios airport is closed from 15 November 2026 to 15 March 2027, Greece’s Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy aims to link the island with Attica by nine ferries a week. On 6 November the Maritime Transport Council (ΣΑΣ) unanimously backed a tender for two extra lines, for the period 30 November 2026 to 28 March 2027. The plan is still at tender stage and depends on funding. Nothing has changed for ferries between Çeşme and Chios.
What happened?
We covered the airport closure and Attica Group’s one-month extension of its Piraeus sailings on 4 November. On 7 November Naftemporiki, Skai and OT reported the details of the Council’s 6 November opinion:
- Line 1, Piraeus-Mesta (Chios): 3 sailings a week, with a mandatory extension to Mytilene at no extra charge. Minimum 950 passengers, a 1,500 m² vehicle deck, a ship over 100 metres long and 300 berths (at least 200 if no bid meets that).
- Line 2, Lavrio or Rafina-Mesta: 3 sailings a week, with a mandatory extension to Mytilene. Minimum 950 passengers, a 1,000 m² vehicle deck and a ship over 80 metres; according to Naftemporiki and Skai, a fast craft is planned on this line.
- Port: on both lines, Chios town port may be used instead of Mesta if that better meets transport needs.
- Total: according to Naftemporiki and Skai, the target is nine sailings a week from 1 December, six by conventional ship and three by fast craft. OT reports that Attica Group will run three extra weekly sailings without subsidy for the whole new schedule period. None of the sources name the ships or companies for the new lines; there is no tender result yet.
- Condition: the charter rate per sailing will depend on available funds; the plan depends on securing funding and completing the tender.
Separately, Lesvosnews reported on 2 November that the same Council approved on 27 October breaks for two ships on the Piraeus-Chios-Mytilene route: Nisos Rodos from 31 December 2026 to 13 February 2027 and Nisos Samos from 15 February to 31 March 2027. The report does not say which ships will replace them.
What does it mean for travellers?
- Ferry from Çeşme: Turkey-Chios sailings are not affected by this plan. For winter times and operators, see our Çeşme to Chios ferry guide.
- Turkish passport holders on the island visa: the visa-on-arrival is valid only on the island of arrival and does not allow onward travel from Chios to Athens. Details in our visa-on-arrival guide.
- Continuing from Chios to Athens (Schengen visa, EU and other travellers): over the winter the route is by sea. For December onwards, check Piraeus, Lavrio or Rafina sailings on the operator’s own website once the tender is decided, and check whether the ship calls at Chios town or Mesta (Mesta is in the south-west of the island, about 35 km from town). If you plan to fly via Lesvos instead, Lesvos airport is closed on Tuesdays from 17 November to 23 March: our report.
- Lesvos side: for the crossing from Turkey, see our Ayvalık to Lesvos ferry guide.
We will update this article when the tender is decided and the operator, ship or times are known.
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Sources
- Naftemporiki - Σχέδιο για εννέα ακτοπλοϊκά δρομολόγια την εβδομάδα για τη σύνδεση της Χίου (7 November 2026)
- Skai - Χίος: Εννέα ακτοπλοϊκά δρομολόγια την εβδομάδα προς την Αττική (7 November 2026)
- OT - Χίος: Έξι επιπλέον ακτοπλοϊκά δρομολόγια την εβδομάδα (7 November 2026)
- Politis Chios - Στο ΣΑΣ αύριο η ακτοπλοϊκή «σανίδα σωτηρίας» της Χίου (5 November 2026)
- Lesvosnews - Βόλος–Μυτιλήνη–Χίος: Νέα αναβολή, διακοπή «Νήσος Ρόδος» και «Νήσος Σάμος» (2 November 2026)
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