Ferry to Crete
Every crossing in one place
Ferry to Crete
Every crossing in one place



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You can get ferries to Crete from a range of destinations including Santorini (Thira), Athens (Piraeus), Mykonos, Naxos & Milos. There are up to 181 ferries running per week. Ferries to Crete are provided by 4 ferry companies including Minoan Lines, Blue Star Ferries, SeaJets & Hellenic Seaways. Book now with Direct Ferries and find a ferry to Crete to suit you.
The Crete ferry timetable varies depending on the route you choose. The Santorini (Thira) to Heraklion ferry sails approximately 9 times per week, with an average duration of about 1 hour 40 minutes. The first ferry departs at 06:55 and the last ferry leaves at 23:50.
Meanwhile, the Athens (Piraeus) to Heraklion ferry sails 23 times per week, with an average duration of about 9 hours 30 minutes. The first ferry departs at 08:30 and the last ferry leaves at 23:00.
Ferries to Crete are provided by 4 operators including Minoan Lines, Blue Star Ferries, SeaJets & Hellenic Seaways. Minoan Lines and Blue Star Ferries are two of the most popular Crete ferry operators.
There are 5 ferry ports in Crete. Heraklion is the most popular port with 28 daily and 140 weekly sailings.
The duration of the ferry to Crete depends on the route. The longest route is Athens (Piraeus) to Sitia with an average duration of 14 hours 45 minutes, whilst the fastest route is Santorini (Thira) with a journey time of 1 hour 40 minutes.
The fastest ferry to Crete is Santorini (Thira). This journey usually takes 1 hour 40 minutes and costs around £91.18 on average.
The most popular ferry route to Crete is the Santorini (Thira) to Heraklion ferry with 9 weekly sailings and an average price of £91.18. The second most popular ferry to Crete is the Athens (Piraeus) to Heraklion ferry with 23 weekly sailings and an average price of £243.10.
Ferries from Crete go to 27 ports. These include Santorini (Thira), Athens (Piraeus), Mykonos, Naxos & Milos.
The price of the ferry to Crete varies depending on the route you choose. The Santorini (Thira) to Heraklion ferry costs £91.18 on average whereas the Athens (Piraeus) to Heraklion ferry usually costs £243.10.
The cheapest ferry to Crete depends on the route, season, ferry company and whether you are travelling with a vehicle or not. Prices are generally cheaper for foot passengers. We recommend booking your ferry tickets to Crete in advance to get them at the cheapest price.
The cheapest Crete ferry is Antikythira to Kissamos with an average price of £8.23. The journey takes approximately 1 hour 55 minutes.
Yes, you can travel as a foot passenger on Crete ferries. Crete foot operators include Minoan Lines, Blue Star Ferries, SeaJets & Hellenic Seaways.
Yes, you can take your car on ferries to Crete. Simply follow the signs at the port and staff will be on hand to guide you into the correct lane. Crete car operators include Minoan Lines, Blue Star Ferries, SeaJets & Hellenic Seaways.
Unfortunately, you cannot take your bike on ferries to Crete.
Yes, you can take your pet on ferries to Crete. We recommend checking the ferry operator's pet policy before you travel. Crete pet operators include Minoan Lines & SeaJets.
It's easy to book ferry tickets to Crete online at Direct Ferries using our Deal Finder. Enter your departure and arrival ports along the date you'd like to travel to see all available options. You can also compare alternative routes to find the best ferry to suit you.
We'd recommend booking in advance to get your tickets at the best possible price. You can also check out our Special Offers page and sign up to our email for exclusive offers.
Planning a last-minute holiday and not sure where to go? With so much to see and do, Crete makes the perfect destination for a spontaneous escape. From beautiful beaches like Elafonissi to historical sites such as Knossos Palace, there’s something for every traveller. Check out our ferry routes to Crete and book your last-minute holiday today.
"Peacefulness"
"Thira Iraklion"
"Minoan Lines, Ship Knossos Palace"
"A very fine experience."
Find out what it's like onboard the ferries before you travel.

The beautiful island of Crete is the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea and the largest of the Greek islands with a population of around half a million people. As a hugely popular holiday destination, Crete features numerous types of holiday accommodation ranging from luxury hotels to apartments and camp sites.
There are 5 ports in Crete. Heraklion port and Chania port are located on the north coast of Crete and Sitia port is located on the east coast. Heraklion port is the most popular in Crete, with 30 daily sailings and ferry connections from Athens, Santorini, Mykonos, Naxos, Ios and Rhodes.
Crossing time ranges between 1 hour and 10 hours by high-speed ferry depending on operator and the island you are travelling from. The fastest ferry route to Crete is via Santorini (Thira) to Heraklion with a crossing time of 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Athens Ferries run from the mainland port of Piraeus to 2 ports at the north side of the island all year round. The most regular ferry crossing is to the port of Heraklion in the central part of Crete’s north coast. The fastest ferry from Athens to Crete is via Piraeus to Chania in approximately 8 hours and is offered by Minoan Lines and Anek Lines.
You can take a high speed ferry from Athens to Crete from Piraeus to Heraklion with Minoan Lines and Anek Superfast. Those travelling from the popular island of Santorini can take a ferry to Crete with SeaJets and Minoan Lines.
If you are travelling to Crete from the Cyclades region, north of Crete, you can travel from up to 6 islands including Mykonos and Santorini. From the Dodecanese group, northeast of Crete, there are weekly ferry connections from up to 5 islands, including Rhodes.
Prices for the ferry to Crete might change depending on the season you want to travel. Cheap ferry tickets are usually available during off peak, outside of the high season. Please visit our special offers page to find all the latest ferry discounts.
No, there is no direct ferry from UK to Crete. Ferries to Crete are currently available from the Cyclades Islands, the Dodecanese Islands, Athens and the Ionian Islands.