Athens (Piraeus) – Rethymno
Ferry to Crete
Athens (Piraeus) – Rethymno
Ferry to Crete
You can easily find cheap ferry tickets with our Deal Finder. We recommend booking in advance to get the best possible prices and availability. You can also check out our Special Offers page for the latest deals on Athens (Piraeus) ferries.
Yes, Direct Ferries offers a wide range of discounts all year around. When searching for ferries, senior discounts will be automatically applied if they are available. Just select your age range from the passenger options.
Students and graduates can get a 5% discount on ferry tickets. To take advantage of the discount, you need to register with our partner Student Beans and confirm your student or graduate status. You will then receive a discount code which can be entered during the payment process.
Resident discounts are available on a variety of Spanish and Italian ferry routes. Just click on the "Residents" option when this is displayed in our Deal Finder. The discount is automatically applied to the price. Bear in mind that proof of registration or an identity card with the correct address must be shown at check-in.
Travel requirements can vary depending on the route, so it's important to check what documents you'll need before sailing. In most cases, a valid passport is required when traveling from Athens (Piraeus) to Rethymno, along with any necessary visas or national ID cards. Requirements may differ based on your nationality and the destination country’s regulations. To avoid delays at check-in, you can find helpful information for your journey in our Check-in, Travel Documents & Tickets guide and in our blog post on tips and tricks for international travel.
Book your ferry tickets online with Direct Ferries using our Deal Finder. Just enter your departure and arrival ports and the date you’d like to travel to see all available options and prices. You’ll also be able to view alternative routes and times, so you can find the best deal to suit you.
Look out for early booking discounts or special ticket options such as upgrades or flexi-tickets that allow you to change or cancel your booking. To make your sailing as smooth as possible, make sure you enter all the required information correctly, such as number of passengers and vehicle specifications.
Once you’ve finalised your booking, you’ll receive a confirmation email. It depends on the ferry operator you book with as to how your boarding pass is issued and collected.
Whilst some ferry operators issue the boarding pass as soon as your booking is confirmed, others may ask you to check in at the port. There’s also the option for online check-in, which can be easily done via the Direct Ferries app, if available.
The ticket desks are usually located near the ferry terminals. To avoid any delays at the port, we’d recommend allowing some extra time to collect your tickets and to check-in.
During check-in, you must show your email confirmation, as well as an official photo ID, such as a passport or identity card. You might also be asked to provide documentation for your pet (vaccines, pet insurance etc.) or proof of residence, if you have booked your ticket with a resident discount.
There could be various reasons why there are no departures from Athens (Piraeus) to Rethymno for the date you’ve requested. For example, a temporary timetable change, limited availability or seasonal changes in the timetable.
We recommend checking for alternative dates. Our Deal Finder automatically compares the desired route with alternative routes and dates, offering up-to-date real time options, all in one place.
The best time to book ferries from Athens (Piraeus) to Rethymno is usually as early as possible. By booking in advance, you’ll not only get your tickets at the best available prices, but you’ll also get a better choice of departure times and cabin/seating options.
We’d recommend making your booking at least a few weeks in advance to benefit from the best offers. Bear in mind that prices may vary depending on the season and availability.
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Athens (Piraeus) - Rethymno Ferry Route summary | ||
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Origin | Athens | |
Destination | Crete | |
Distance | 0 Nautical Miles |
* Prices subject to change, pricing is taken from last 30 days, last updated 1 October 2025.
SeaJets, Golden Star Ferries, Blue Star Ferries, Zante Ferries and Cyclades Fast Ferries provide Athens (Piraeus) ferries connecting Athens, Greece with 66 destinations. Ferries from Athens (Piraeus) sail approximately 116 times a day and up to 589 times a week.
Athens (Piraeus) ferries sail to Santorini (Thira), Spetses, Poros (Saronic Islands), Serifos, Paros, Heraklion, Kavala, Aegiali (Amorgos), Oinousses, Psara, Folegandros, Kasos, Tilos, Symi (Simi), Kythnos, Naxos, Mykonos, Milos, Ermioni, Porto Heli, Mesta (Chios), Chios, Koufonissi, Hydra, Syros, Rhodes, Kalymnos, Kastelorizo, Chalki, Sitia, Schinoussa, Sifnos, Kimolos, Ios, Fournoi, Diafani, Nisyros, Agios Kirikos, Katapola (Amorgos), Kos, Leros, Chania, Astypalea, Lipsi, Agistri, Iraklia, Antikythira, Methana, Sigri, Aegina, Tinos, Thessaloniki, Kythira, Limnos (Myrina), Mytilene, Karlovassi, Evdilos, Patmos, Donoussa, Vathi, Karpathos, Anafi, Agistri Myli, Kissamos, Sikinos, Souvala (Aegina).
Ferries sailing from Athens (Piraeus) can range between 40m and 26h 50m. Ferry times can change from season to season.
The fastest ferry from Athens (Piraeus) is on the Athens (Piraeus) - Aegina ferry in 40m with Aegean Flying Dolphins, Hellenic Seaways.
Ferry price from Athens (Piraeus) can range between £36.27 and £441.42 depending on various factors such as the route, season, operator and type of ship.
Yes, you can take a car ferry from Athens (Piraeus) with SeaJets, Blue Star Ferries, Hellenic Seaways, Minoan Lines, Cyclades Fast Ferries, Anek Superfast, Aegean Sea Lines, Saronic Ferries, Anes Ferries, Zante Ferries. For more information on routes and car ferry prices view our Deal Finder.
Foot Passengers are allowed on ferries from Athens (Piraeus). You can travel as a foot passenger from Athens (Piraeus) with Blue Star Ferries, SeaJets, Hellenic Seaways, Alpha Lines, Cyclades Fast Ferries, Minoan Lines, Anek Superfast, Aegean Sea Lines, Saronic Ferries, Anes Ferries, Zante Ferries, Aegean Flying Dolphins.
You can take your pet on the ferry from Athens (Piraeus) with Blue Star Ferries, SeaJets, Hellenic Seaways, Saronic Ferries, Zante Ferries, Minoan Lines, Anes Ferries. For more information about pet accommodation and fees please view our Deal Finder.
Cabins are available on some ferry routes from Athens (Piraeus). Operators that have cabins on ferries from Athens (Piraeus) include SeaJets, Blue Star Ferries, Hellenic Seaways, Minoan Lines, Anek Superfast, Aegean Sea Lines, Zante Ferries. Check our Deal Finder for the best option for you.
The largest ferry port in the Mediterranean, Piraeus hosts over 20 million passengers a year, all passing through the busy port city that dominates the east coast. Piraeus is a city in its own right, yet few choose to spend over a day in the buzzing hub of shops, shipping offices and busy streets - those that do stay on the mainland tend to slide away into the allure of Athens’ city centre. The proximity to the capital, as well as the constant maritime traffic ensures that the city has enough to entertain tourists and the half a million local residents; the walk along the seafront promenade is a picturesque trail of flowers, trees and beautiful views – perfect for watching the ships sail along the crystal blue sea. Away from the port, Piraeus’ famous market attracts many visitors hoping to snag a bargain, before they move onto the shopping centres or embark on a sightseeing tour of the grand architecture. There are lesser known spots all over the bustling city, the most attractive being Zea Marina, a metropolis of restaurants, cafes and bars, typically adorned by workers and passengers who are winding down after a long day of travel.
Long, sandy beaches, a picturesque Old Town and beautiful mountainside – Rethymno is unashamedly Greek. Endless resorts exist around Greece, though there aren’t many as alluring as Rethymno; breathtaking ancient architecture graces the centre and crystal blue waters next to golden sands remind you that you’re on an island. The Old Town is a particular highlight - its charm lying in its relative anonymity; the religious buildings and quaint streets stay off the beaten track and have maintained their simplistic values amid the barrage of modern tourism. The wealth of historical culture suggests that Rethymno is a city designed purely to appeal to history lovers, which was once the case, but the introduction of the university has fuelled life into the city in the form of myriad of vibrant bars, vigorous clubs and enchanting restaurants. After indulging in a long night along the strip of bars and clubs, the luxurious beaches are ideal for basking in the sun and exploring the azure blue waters. Beach clubs line the shoreline, offering food and drink perfect for a refreshing treat.
The bus service in operation is typically very reliable and comfortable, with aircon running through the summer months. Rental car companies are also in high demand, and for quick and convenient transport, taxis are readily available throughout the city.