Chalkis can be reached from Athens (1 hour trip) by tain or bus line, as well as from aother cities such as Thessaloniki.

The earliest recorded mention of Chalcis is in the Illiad, where it is mentioned in the same line as its rival Eretria. The modern town received an impetus in its export trade from the establishment of railway connection with Athens and Peiraeus in 1904.The town is now connected to the mainland Greece by two bridges, the "Sliding Bridge" in the west at the narrowest point of the Euripus Strait and a suspension bridge.

A unique phenomenon takes place at the straits of Euripus. The waters of the gulf can be seen 'racing' parallel to the coast, creating a unique spectacle for people who travel over the bridge. Chalkis has been known for years for its variety in sea food and a lot of sea food restaurants as well as a developed nightlife by the coast.