Greece › Ferries › Athens to Crete
Updated: February 16, 2026 • By Santorini Dave
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The port of Piraeus is 30-minutes by train or taxi from central Athens. Ferries to Crete depart from gates E2 and E3. You can purchase tickets in Piraeus but I prefer to buy ferry tickets in advance.
Athens to Crete Ferry – My Tips
- Piraeus is the only port in Athens with ferries to Crete. There are no boats from Rafina or Lavrio. Ferries to Crete are large and stable, and usually depart from gates E2 or E3. These gates are a good distance from the metro station, so plan on a 10-minute walk or use the free port bus.
- Heraklio and Chania are the main arrival ports. Chania ferries actually dock at Souda Port, which is about a 15-minute drive or bus ride from Chania town. Choose the arrival port closest to your hotel as the drive between Heraklio and Chania takes over 2 hours.
- Overnight ferries are the standard and most popular option. They depart Piraeus around 9pm and arrive in Crete around 6am. This saves you the cost of a hotel night and maximizes your daylight hours on the island.
- Book a cabin for overnight trips. It makes a huge difference in sleep quality and you get a private bathroom. Cabins sell out months in advance for travel from June to September, so book as soon as your dates are set. If cabins are sold out, book a reserved “aircraft-style” seat for better comfort than economy.
- Daytime ferries usually run only during the summer months (July and August). They depart around 10am and arrive in the evening. These are great for sea views but they consume a full day of your itinerary.
- Ferryhopper.com is the most reliable site for schedules and booking tickets. All ferries now use mobile e-tickets so you do not need to collect physical tickets at the port.
- Luggage is stored on the vehicle deck upon entering the ship. Take valuables, passports, and everything you need for the night with you to the upper decks as you cannot access the car deck during the voyage.
- Early arrival strategy is essential. Ferries dock very early, often before sunrise. Most hotels will not allow check-in at 6am. I recommend arranging a rental car pickup directly at the port or dropping bags at your hotel reception and finding a cafe for breakfast until your room is ready.
- Arrive early. Boarding starts an hour before departure and Piraeus is busy and chaotic. Be at the port at least 45 minutes prior to sailing to navigate the crowds and find your gate.
How do I buy tickets and use E-Tickets?
The process is now fully digital and simple. The days of waiting in lines at port kiosks are over.
- Where to buy: I always use Ferryhopper.com. It connects to all the ferry databases, allows you to compare fast vs. slow boats easily, and handles the E-Ticket process seamlessly for you.
- The E-Ticket Process: After you book, you will receive a confirmation email. For most companies (like Blue Star), you complete a quick Online Check-in (usually available 48 hours before departure) to generate your actual Boarding Pass.
- Boarding: You simply download the Boarding Pass (which is a QR Code) to your phone. When you walk up to the ferry ramp, a crew member scans your phone screen. That is it. You do not need to print anything.
- Best seats: I recommend a cabin for Athens to Crete overnight ferries.
Example Athens to Crete Schedule
Athens-Crete ferry schedule and prices on Ferryhopper.com. Ferries that offer sleeping cabins are denoted with a bed.
Sleeping cabins are available with two and four-bed layouts. This is the four-person sleeping cabin. It has a small private bathroom and shower.
I recommend Business or First Class seats (if you don’t getting a sleeping cabin) for the longish trip from Athens to Crete. For a little extra money you get more room and a quieter, more-relaxed environment.
The view of Gate E3 from the metro station in Piraeus. You’ll need to walk to the right and around the port to get to the Crete ferries. (The Blue Star to the left is going to the Cyclades. The ANEK Lines and Blue Star across the water are going to Crete.)
There is now a direct train from the Athens International Airport to the Piraeus ferry port. The station is directly across the street from the E6 port entrance.
Athens to Crete Ferry Schedule
There are ferries from Athens to Crete year-round, with daily overnight departures being the standard. During the summer (usually July and August), daytime ferries are added to the schedule. Ferries depart from the port of Piraeus in Athens and arrive at the Cretan ports of Chania (Souda Port), Heraklion, and Sitia. The ride generally takes about 9 hours for overnight trips and 6.5 to 8 hours for daytime trips.
Departure Port in Athens
Ferries to Crete depart exclusively from Piraeus Port, located about 10 kilometers southwest of central Athens.
- Getting there: The port is accessible via Metro Line 1 (Green) or Line 3 (Blue). Allow 20 to 30 minutes from central Athens.
- Gate Location: Crete ferries usually depart from gates E2 and E3. Note that these gates are a significant distance from the metro station. You can take the free shuttle bus inside the port or a taxi to reach your ship; walking with luggage is a little tricky and time-consuming.
Destination Ports in Crete
- Heraklion Port: Located in central Crete, this is the island’s busiest port and serves the capital city. It is the best arrival point if you are staying in Heraklion, Elounda, Hersonissos, or visiting Knossos. The port is very central and a short taxi ride to most Heraklion hotels.
- Chania (Souda Port): The ferry port for Chania is actually located in the town of Souda, not Chania Old Town. Souda is about 7km east of Chania. You will need to take a 15-minute taxi or a 20-minute local bus to reach the hotels in Chania Old Town.
Ferry Operators
- Minoan Lines: Operates large, modern ferries (often referred to as car ferries) primarily on the Piraeus-Heraklion route. They also run the fastest daytime summer ferries.
- ANEK Lines/Blue Star Ferries: These two companies operate jointly. They run conventional ferries to both Heraklion and Chania. Their ships are large, stable, and reliable.
Ferry Prices
Ferry fares are generally consistent year-round, though they can increase slightly in peak summer. Prices listed below are one-way per person.
- Deck / Economy: €50 to €65.
- Business Class: €70 to €80.
- High Speed Ferry: €110 to €180.
- Cabins: €100 to €180 depending on the category (e.g., a bed in a shared 4-berth inside cabin is the cheapest option; a private 2-berth outside cabin is the most expensive).
- Vehicles: Standard cars cost between €120 and €200.
- Discounts: Children under 5 usually travel for free (though a small fee applies if they occupy a bed). Children aged 5 to 10 typically receive a 50% discount.
Ticket Classes and Amenities
- Economy/Deck: The cheapest option. You do not have a reserved seat and must find a spot in the common areas or on the deck. Not recommended for overnight travel.
- Airplane Type Seats: Reserved, reclining seats in a designated lounge. These offer better sleep comfort than economy but are less private than a cabin.
- Cabins: Highly recommended for overnight trips. Options range from 1-bed to 4-bed cabins, with or without windows (exterior/interior). All cabins have private bathrooms with showers.
- Amenities: All Crete ferries have multiple restaurants (self-service and a la carte), cafes, luggage storage areas, and paid Wi-Fi.
Practical Tips
- Open-Jaw Route: To avoid backtracking, consider arriving at one port (e.g., Chania) and departing from the other (e.g., Heraklio). This allows you to traverse the island without driving back to your starting point.
- Reliability: The ferries on this route are massive and extremely stable. Cancellations due to weather are rare compared to the smaller catamarans in the Cyclades.
- Boarding: Boarding starts about an hour before departure. If you have a car, arrive at least 60 minutes early. Foot passengers should arrive 45 minutes early.
- Book Early: Cabins for summer travel (June through September) often sell out 3 to 4 months in advance.
How to Book
Check schedules and buy tickets at Ferryhopper.com.
It is a 10-minute walk from the train station (left of photo) to gates E2 and E3 (right of photo) from which ferries depart to Crete.
The Blue Horizon (to Heraklio) and Blue Galaxy (to Chania) at gate E3 in the Piraeus ferry port.
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