Quality Travel · Chania coast, 55 pickup points
Quality Travel's full crossing from the Chania coast, with the park entry ticket and the boat from Agia Roumeli in the price. Pick it if you hate handling cash on the day, or want one number to compare.
Most Samaria tours sell the coach and the guide and leave two tickets for the day. This one includes them: the park entry ticket (€10) and the boat from Agia Roumeli (€14, €7 up to age 12). The guide gives you the boat ticket and the departure time at the end. Lunch, drinks and the breakfast stop on the way up are not included. If anything in your confirmation reads differently, ask the operator through the GetYourGuide app before the day.
The hike is the full crossing: about 16 km from Xyloskalo down to the sea, with a hiking guide and a live English-speaking guide (guests say the guide speaks English and Greek). There are 55 pickup points, mostly hotels, supermarkets and bus stops along the coast west of Chania, around Platanias, Agia Marina, Stalos and Kalamaki. The listing gives 13 hours: about 1.5 hours on the coach, a 30-minute breakfast stop at Omalos, around 6 hours for the hike, 2.5 hours in Agia Roumeli, then the boat and the coach. Guests report a 6 a.m. pickup and a drop-off between 8 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
The trek is physically demanding, and the operator does not take people over 70 or with heart, breathing or mobility problems. One money point: EU citizens under 18 and over 65 enter free anyway, so for those travellers part of the premium covers a ticket they would not pay. The park is closed for the winter: NECCA's ticket site lists it as shut from 1 November 2026 until at least 9 April 2027, and next season's opening date has not been announced yet. In 2026 it opened late, on 19 May, after winter storm damage, and storms closed it again from 19 October.
Your bus collects you at one of 55 points on the coast west of Chania. Note the operator's phone number: several coaches can stop at the same point.
About 30 minutes for coffee, pastries and sandwiches to take with you (paid by you). The guide briefs the group on the drive.
From Xyloskalo down the steps, along the river bed, past Samaria village and through the Iron Gates. Springs refill your water.
A bar waits at the exit. Walk the last stretch to Agia Roumeli or take the local shuttle (guests report €2).
About 2.5 hours in the village. The guide hands out the boat tickets and tells you the departure time.
The boat runs along the south coast to the coach, then the drive back over the mountains.
★★★★★Really enjoyed the day. From the beginning coach on time. Perfect day hiking and good to know the guide is behind incase anything goes wrong. Felt very safe and well informed. Finished the hike and there is a bar at the end which was a fantastic end. You can get a shuttle back for 2 euros or walk the remainder to the village.
★★★★★Our guide Pari already explained everything important in detail and in an easy-to-understand way (in English) during the drive to the canyon. During the tour, too, there were always inquiries about how the participants were doing.
★★★★★While we thoroughly enjoyed it, this hike should not be underestimated. Proper hiking shoes, enough water, and snacks are a must, and you'll need a decent level of fitness.
Read next:
Yes. The €10 park entry ticket and the boat from Agia Roumeli (€14, €7 up to age 12) are both in the price. Lunch, drinks and the breakfast stop are not.
From 55 points on the coast west of Chania, mostly around Platanias, Agia Marina, Stalos and Kalamaki. You choose the point when you book.
The listing says 13 hours. Guests report a pickup around 6 a.m. and a drop-off between 8 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
The park is closed for the winter until at least 9 April 2027, and the opening date is set each spring. Bookings have free cancellation up to 24 hours before, which covers a late opening.
Ready to book
The full crossing with the park entry ticket and the boat from Agia Roumeli already in the price.
Samaria Gorge Full-Day Trek from ChaniaThe classic full crossing with hotel pickup around Chania, a live guide at the back and the coach home after the boat.★ 4.6 · Full day · from $45
Samaria Gorge with a Professional Hiking GuideThe full 16 km from Chania with a hiking guide, a safety briefing, VHF radios and poles to rent.★ 4.7 · Full day · from $35
Samaria Gorge the Easy WayCoach and boat to Agia Roumeli, then about 2 km up to the Iron Gates and back. Not the full crossing; entry and boat extra.★ 4.4 · Full day · from $31