Ferry from Athens to Crete

How to Get from Athens to Crete 

Crete is the third biggest island in the Mediterranean Sea and attracts a wide number of visitors all year long. It is known for its incredible and traditional flavors, its serene and bustling beaches, and its rich historical background, being home to one of the first civilizations in the world, the Minoan Civilization. Overall, Crete features everything. From cosmopolitan destinations and modern urban centers to authentic, quaint villages and from museums, sites, and monuments to breathtaking sea and montane landscapes, the island caters to all types of travelers. As a result, many Athens visitors also include Crete on their itinerary, although it isn’t to be found close to the Greek capital. 

Ferry journeys are considered the best way to get from Athens to Crete. Ferries depart from the Port of Piraeus -the main Athens Port and one of the most important passenger harbors in the world- traveling to the inviting island of Crete. Athens features other ports as well (Rafina Port and Lavrio Port), yet there are available crossings to Crete only from Piraeus Port. It is the closest to the city center harbor (you can travel from Piraeus Port to city center in just 30 minutes), adequately connected to the downtown area. Thus, passengers traveling from the city center to Piraeus can catch a Piraeus port taxi, a private transfer, a bus line (an Express Bus also runs from Athens to Piraeus during the summer months), or the Blue Metro Line 3 to reach the port. Moreover, they can use the same modes of transit along with the Suburban Train (Proastiakos) to get from Athens Airport to Piraeus Port.

Crete boasts many ports. Verily, Heraklion Port, Chania Port (Souda), Agios Nikolaos Port, Rethymno Port, Sitia Port, and Kissamos Port are to be found in Crete, confirming the fact that it is a really big island. That being said, Heraklion Port is the biggest harbor (in fact, Heraklion is the capital of the island), and most ferries sail from Piraeus to the city of Heraklion.

Types of Ferries from Athens to Crete

Numerous ferries depart on a daily basis from Piraeus to Crete. Passengers can opt for a ride with the conventional vessels and enjoy a scenic journey, lounging on their decks and outdoor space. They are all accessible, offering all the necessary services to passengers with disabilities. Furthermore, they all feature snack bars, while some vessels also boast restaurants. In any case, you should keep in mind that the air-conditioning in the indoor areas of the ships is usually strong. Thus, even if you are traveling during the summer months (when the temperature is really high), it is recommended to be dressed in layers.

High-speed ferries also link Piraeus to Heraklion but don’t offer direct routes. Verily, Seajets has routes from Piraeus to Santorini, where passengers have to hop on the ferry to Heraklion. Even though Seajets vessels are faster than conventional ferries, the transit is time-consuming, making sailings equally long. In any case, if you want to take a glimpse of the majestic Santorini, spend a couple of hours there, and don’t mind the change of ferries, you’ll find 3-5 available routes on an everyday basis provided by Seajets.

Each ferry type comes with several advantages. Their key selling points are to be outlined here:

* Thus, weather-related delays are scarcer. Moreover, they are favored by travelers who get seasick easily.

The Ferry Schedule from Athens to Heraklion

Crete (especially Heraklion) is always connected to Athens, no matter the time of the year. Expectantly, sailings are far more frequent during the high tourist season. In general terms, you should keep in mind that ferry companies announce different timetables each year (usually sometime between December and March). Thus, although timetables are typically slightly modified, you should always double-check the latest one. What’s more, the sooner you book your tickets, the more likely you are to find deals and ensure availability. Although ferry companies have desks scattered around the Port of Piraeus, and you can buy your ticket right before boarding the ferry, it isn’t a recommended option, as there’s always a chance of tickets selling out.

The duration of the crossings from Athens to Crete (Piraeus to Heraklion) depends on the chosen vessel and itinerary (direct or with in-between stops) and is always subject to weather conditions. In general terms, the ride with the ferry from Athens to Heraklion lasts from 8 hours and 45 minutes to 11 hours. When the weather conditions aren’t ideal or the weather is even bad, delays are common occurrences. Moreover, on journeys with multiple stops, you should be prepared for delays during the boarding and alighting, at least during the peak summer months.

The vast Piraeus Port consists of 12 gates. Ferries from Piraeus to Crete typically depart from Gates E2 and E3. Still, this isn’t a hard and fast rule. Thus you should check the gate’s number, written on your ticket, and even have a look at the port’s destination boards. It is recommended to reach your gate 60-90 minutes before the sailing time of the ferry. Please bear in mind that the traffic around the port (as well as inside the complex) can be high. Thus, you should plan your journey to the port accordingly, especially if traveling during rush hours. Furthermore, if you want to reach Piraeus Port via modes of public transit, you should note that, although Gates 2 and 3 can be accessed on foot, they aren’t adjacent to the train station. Hence, you might want to take the courtesy port’s shuttle bus to get to your gate, which can make your journey to the port even longer.

Fares and Tickets for Ferries from Athens to Crete

What’s the fare for the ferry from Piraeus to Crete? The exact cost varies. Indeed, the chosen ferry company and vessel, the seat category, and the time of the year affect the final price. Moreover, as many ferry journeys from Piraeus to Heraklion are overnight, passengers usually book a cabin as well, raising significantly the final cost. If you choose to travel without a cabin or even a reserved seat (deck), you should expect to pay about €37/$40,20 to €86/$93,50. If you reserve a cabin, you’ll pay almost double the price. Children aged 5 to 12 usually pay a discounted fare, while people with disabilities are also entitled to discounts. On the other hand, kids up to 4 years of age typically travel out of charge. Once you book your ferry ticket from Athens to Heraklion, you should print it or save it on your mobile phone. You’ll have to display it to board your ferry.

Ferry Companies with Routes from Athens to Crete

Routes and Fares of Ferry Companies from Athens to Heraklion

It’s a fact that ferry routes differ from year to year, and they might also change unexpectedly. Thus, you should always check the current timetables at the scheduled time of your journey. However, if you want to get an idea of the available routes, you should review the ferries’ itineraries at the moment:

Blue Star Ferries / Anek Lines Routes from Athens to Heraklion

*Anek Lines and Blue Star Ferries are part of the same group. Thus, Kissamos and Kriti II vessels are, in fact, part of Anek Lines’ fleet.

Minoan Lines Ferries from Athens to Crete (Heraklion)

Fast Ferries from Athens to Crete (Heraklion)

*Please keep in mind that Seajets also links Athens to Crete. Still, the available sailings aren’t direct but require a change of lines, making journeys longer and more tedious.

A Flight or a Ferry from Athens to Crete (Heraklion)?

Although ferries from Athens to Crete are a widely chosen transit option, many passengers favor flights to their final destination. Crete features two international airports (Heraklion Airport and Chania Airport), but Heraklion Airport is regarded as the major aviation hub on the island. In any case, there are available flights from Athens to Crete on a daily basis, no matter the year’s season. So, which is the best way to travel from Athens to Heraklion? Should you settle on a ferry ride from Piraeus Port or opt for an air journey?

Air journeys come with many advantages. Still, the main reason why passengers choose to fly to Crete is the duration of the journey. Flights from Athens to Heraklion last about 50-60 minutes, whereas ferries need 9 to 11 hours to get to the capital of Crete. Moreover, ferries tend to get crowded during the high tourist season, whereas air travel is overall comfortable, even on fully booked flights.

Nevertheless, ferries from Athens to Crete (Heraklion) are the most popular way to reach the island. Even though they are time-consuming, they are much more affordable than flights while allowing the transport of vehicles as well. Hence, travelers don’t have to search for car rentals once getting to Heraklion, saving time and removing hassle from their journey. Please keep in mind that Crete is a sizable island, nearly requiring a car to be adequately explored. Moreover, luggage isn’t an issue during rides with ferries. The vessels are equipped with designated luggage space, and ferry companies offer relaxed luggage restrictions. Thus, passengers can carry baggage weighing up to 40-50kg/88-100 pounds. Finally, ferry journeys are a unique way of travel. Passengers enjoy seamless views of the Aegean Sea, as well as of other Greek islands during journeys with in-between stops, sitting relaxed on the ferries’ deck, feeling the sea breeze, and basking in the sun or marveling at the night’s sky during overnight journeys.

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