The Athens to Heraklion ferry route is provided by 4 operators and runs all year round. The ferry crossing from Athens to Crete is approximately 8 hours and 40 minutes on ferries servicing this route. Athens to Crete ferry duration can range between 8 hours 40 minutes and 17 hours 30 minutes depending on the operator you choose to book with.
On average there are 25 ferry weekly sailings from Piraeus to Heraklion. Anek Superfast provide 7 weekly sailings, Minoan Lines provide 14 weekly sailings, Cyclades Fast Ferries provide 3 weekly sailings and Anek Lines provide 1 weekly sailing. During the high season ferry timetables often increase.
The first ferry departs around 09:00 and the last ferry departs at around 21:00. Ferry schedules can vary by operator and season.
The fastest ferry from Athens to Heraklion is with Minoan Lines in 8 hours and 40 minutes.
Yes, passengers are able to travel on an overnight ferry from Athens to Crete.
You can book cabins on ferries from Athens to Crete with Anek Lines, Anek Superfast and Blue Star Ferries.
Yes, pets are welcome on the ferry from Athens to Heraklion with Anek Lines. Those travelling with Anek Lines must know that dogs and cats have dedicated lodgings onboard if necessary. Meanwhile, smaller animals like birds, rabbits and hamsters should be in kept carriers throughout the journey. However, please note that animals are not permitted in any public areas of the ship including lounges.
Those travelling with Minoan Lines can take up to 2 pieces of luggage plus a carry-on bag for no additional cost. While Cyclades Fast Ferries do not have a fixed baggage policy in place. However, we suggest that you don't exceed 50kg to avoid any potential charges.
The price of a ferry from Piraeus to Heraklion can range between £75 and £492 depending on the operator, season and whether you are travelling with a vehicle. The average price of a foot passenger is £148, prices can range between £75 and £315. The average price with a car is £364. Car prices can range between £151 and £659. Prices may vary for other vehicle types. All ferry prices can vary from season to season.
Prices subject to change, pricing representative of searches over last 30 days.
Find cheap ferry tickets using our deal finder. It is recommended to book in advance for the best possible prices and availability. Please visit our special offers page to keep updated with all the latest discounts on ferries from Athens.
With up to 4 sailings per day on the ferry to Crete from Athens, you are bound to find an ideal ferry crossing to suit your journey. However, there are 2 alternative ferries to Crete if you require additional flexibility including the Athens to Chania ferry and the Athens to Sitia ferry.
| Athens (Piraeus) - Crete (Heraklion) Route summary | ||
|---|---|---|
| Departure Country | Greece | |
| Destination Country | Greece | |
| No. of Operators | 5 | |
| Operators | Anek Lines, Anek Superfast, Blue Star Ferries, Cyclades Fast Ferries & Minoan Lines | |
| Average Price | £233* | |
| Average Daily Sailings | 2 | |
| Average Weekly Sailings | 19 | |
| Average Sailing Duration | 9h 18m | |
| Fastest Sailing Duration | 8h 40m | |
| First Ferry | 09:00 | |
| Last Ferry | 21:00 | |
| Distance | 168 nautical miles | |
* Prices subject to change, pricing is taken from last 30 days, last updated 2023-08-01.
"Excellent ferry "
We rented a cabin, everything was clean and worth every cent. There is plenty of restaurants and areas to keep kids occupied. I would definitely come with Minoan in the future.
'Knossos Palace' travelled on Knossos Palace
Read More Read Less"ATHENS TO Heraklion "
Very relaxing crossing. Comfy cabin and well priced food and beer.
'Festos Palace' travelled on Festos Palace
Read More Read Less"Excellent trip"
Professional, friendly, good food and service, clean well run ship
'Festos Palace' travelled on Festos Palace
Read More Read Less"Great trip"
Night time passage. Cabin was excellent, restaurant served good food at a reasonable cost. All very clean and bright
'Festos Palace' travelled on Festos Palace
Read More Read LessPiraeus is Greece's main port and the largest in Europe and the third largest in the world. Having recently undergone a refurbishment, facilities at the port have improved and include ATM's, bureau de change, restaurants, cafes, bars and a number of travel agencies selling ferry tickets.
You can get a ferry from Piraeus port, which is located 12km southwest of Athens city centre. This is easily accessible via car and public transport. The 040-bus departing from Syntagma Square in Athens city centre drops you within walking distance of the passenger terminals. Alternatively, follow Line 1 (Green Line) on the metro for 30 minutes until you reach Monastiraki station.
The most convenient way of travelling from Athens to Crete is by taking the ferry from Piraeus to Heraklion. There are lots of high-speed car ferries available so you can avoid the additional hassle of public transport once you arrive in Crete. Alternatively, you can get a ferry to Chania or Sitia if that's more suitable for your travel plans.
Ferry Timetables between 27/11/2023 and 03/12/2023
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Sailing Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Star Ferries | 18:01 | 04:10 | 10 hours 9 minutes | Sat |
| Anek Superfast | 21:00 | 06:15 | 9 hours 15 minutes | Everyday |
| Minoan Lines | 21:00 | 06:30 | 9 hours 30 minutes | Everyday |
Customer Service
Euro
US Dollars
Euro
US Dollars
