When booking a ferry to Chios, you may happen to find two different ports of arrival or departure: Chora and Mesta. For those unfamiliar with the island, the difference may not be immediately clear. Is it the same port? Which one is convenient to choose? More importantly, why do some routes arrive in Chora while others in Mesta?
The answer is simple: Chios has two major passenger ports located in different parts of the island and used for different connections.
Chora and Mesta: two different ports on the island of Chios
Both ports are located on the Greek island of Chios in the northeastern Aegean, but are separated by about 35 kilometers.
The port of Chora, is located in the island’s capital Chios and is the main administrative, commercial and tourist center.
Mesta, on the other hand, is the port located on the west coast and is closer to some of the island’s most distinctive medieval villages.
For this reason, the port of arrival can greatly influence the transfer time to one’s final destination.
The port of Chora: the heart of Chios’ connections
The port of Chora in Chios is the main access point to the island and concentrates much of the passenger traffic. Numerous ferries run from here, connecting Chios to other Greek islands and the Turkish coast. Some of the main links available include:
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Cesme
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Mykonos
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Kavala
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Thessaloniki
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Mytilene (Lesbos)
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Psara
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Fournoi
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Agios Kirikos
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Evdilos
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Vathi (Samos)
For those visiting Chios for the first time, the port of Chora is generally the most convenient choice due to the presence of hotels, restaurants, tourist services, car rentals, and connections to the rest of the island.
The port of Mesta: an alternative gateway to Chios
In recent years, the port of Mesta has become increasingly important for a number of shipping lines connecting Chios with the rest of Greece:
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Piraeus
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Sigri (Lesvos)
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Myrina (Limnos)
For some travelers, the port of Mesta may be more convenient than Chora, especially if the final destination is in the western or southern part of the island of Chios.
When is it convenient to get to Mesta by ferry?
Mesta may be an ideal choice for those wishing to visit the famous medieval villages of Mastichochoria, the region famous for Chios mastic production.
Locations closest to the port include:
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Mesta
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Pyrgi
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Olympi
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Emporios
Arriving by ferry in Mesta makes it possible to reach these destinations more quickly than arriving in the capital city.
When is it appropriate to choose Chora (Chios)?
Instead, the port of Chora in Chios remains the best option if:
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you visit the island for the first time;
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you stay in the capital city;
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you want to have access to more services;
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is planned to explore different parts of the island;
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you arrive from Turkey via the route from Cesme.
For many travelers, it represents the most practical and versatile choice.
How far apart are the two ports?
Although they belong to the same island of Chios, Chora and Mesta are nowhere near each other.
The distance between the two ports is about 35 kilometers, and the drive generally takes between 40 and 50 minutes.
For this reason, it is always advisable to carefully check the port indicated on the ferry ticket before departure.
Chora or Mesta, which port to choose to get to Chios by ferry?
The choice depends mainly on one’s itinerary.
If your goal is to visit the town of Chios and use the main town as a base for exploring the island, the port of Chora is probably your best bet.
If, on the other hand, you stay in the western or southern part of the island, or want to get to the medieval villages of Mastichochoria quickly, getting to Mesta can save you time and travel.
In any case, if you have decided to reach the islands of Greece by ferry, it is always important to understand which port to arrive at. To avoid mistakes, I recommend that you read this article On the ports of Greece divided by archipelago!
A detail not to be underestimated
Many travelers choose the ferry based on time of day or ticket price. However, checking the port of arrival can make a big difference in arranging ferry travel to Chios in the Aegean Sea.
Before completing your reservation, always check whether the ferry arrives in Chios (Chora) or Mesta-a simple check that can make your stay on the island much more comfortable from day one.
Now that you know the differences between the port of Chora and the port of Mesta, you can compare schedules, companies, and route availability on ferryfinder.com to find the ferry that best suits your itinerary to the Greek island of Chios.
