Athens to Crete by Ferry Guide

Greece › Ferries › Athens to Crete
Updated: July 24, 2026 • By Santorini Dave
Questions? dave@santorinidave.com

See Also

• Where to Stay in Athens
• Piraeus Ferry Port Guide
• Where to Stay in Crete
• Heraklion Ferry Port Guide

Ferries travel year-round from Piraeus to both Heraklio (also spelled Heraklion) and Chania, with at least one departure to each port on most days and additional Heraklio sailings in summer. Most trips take about 8 to 10 hours and travel overnight.

I recommend booking a cabin and choosing the arrival port closest to your first hotel: Heraklio for central and eastern Crete or Chania for western Crete. The drive between the two cities takes more than 2 hours, so choosing the right port matters more than small differences in ferry time or price.

Helpful Links

• How I buy ferry tickets: Ferryhopper.com
• Pre-booked taxi service: Welcome Pickups

Athens to Crete Ferry: Quick Guide

• Departure port: Ferries to Heraklio and Chania leave from Piraeus. Rafina and Lavrio do not serve these routes.
• Best arrival port for eastern Crete: Heraklio, especially for Knossos, Hersonissos, Agios Nikolaos, Elounda, and the Lasithi region.
• Best arrival port for western Crete: Chania. The ferry docks at Souda, about 7 km from Chania Old Town.
• Travel time: Most crossings take about 8 to 10 hours.
• Best ferry: Take an overnight sailing and book a cabin. It replaces a hotel night and delivers you to Crete early the following morning.
• When to book: Reserve as soon as your dates are fixed for summer, especially when you need a private cabin or vehicle space.
• Piraeus gates: Crete ferries normally use gates E2 or E3, a substantial walk from the metro station. Confirm the gate on the day of departure.

Should You Arrive in Heraklio or Chania?

Crete is a large island. Do not choose the ferry solely by departure time or price and assume you can easily travel to the other side after arrival.

Heraklio: Best for Central and Eastern Crete

Choose Heraklio when staying in Heraklio, Hersonissos, Malia, Agios Nikolaos, Elounda, or elsewhere in central and eastern Crete. It is also the best arrival port for Knossos and the Heraklio Archaeological Museum.

Heraklio ferry port is close to the city center. Central hotels are a short taxi ride away, and some are within a 10 to 20-minute walk with manageable luggage.

• Heraklio city center: About 5 minutes by taxi or 10 to 20 minutes on foot, depending on the hotel.
• Hersonissos: About 30 minutes by car.
• Agios Nikolaos: About 1 hour by car.
• Elounda: About 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes by car.
• Main drawback: Heraklio is a poor arrival choice for Chania, Kissamos, Falassarna, and the far west of Crete.

Chania and Souda: Best for Western Crete

Choose Chania when staying in Chania, Souda, Kissamos, Falassarna, or elsewhere in western Crete. Ferries advertised as going to Chania actually dock at Souda Port, about 7 km east of Chania Old Town.

Souda is not a practical walk from the Old Town with luggage. Arrange a taxi, hotel transfer, rental car, or local bus.

• Chania Old Town: About 15 to 20 minutes by taxi or 20 to 30 minutes by bus.
• Agia Marina and Platanias: About 30 to 40 minutes by car.
• Kissamos: About 50 minutes by car.
• Rethymno: About 1 hour by car from Souda and about 1 hour 15 minutes from Heraklio.
• Main drawback: The ferry does not arrive beside Chania’s hotels, restaurants, and Old Venetian Harbor.

Arrive at One Port and Leave from the Other

For a trip covering both western and eastern Crete, arrive in Chania and depart from Heraklio, or reverse the route. This avoids driving more than 2 hours back across the island solely to catch the return ferry.

Sitia also has limited connections from Piraeus, but the journey is much longer and the schedule is less frequent. It only makes sense when your trip is focused on far-eastern Crete.

Athens to Crete Ferry Times and Frequency

Piraeus has year-round daily ferries to Heraklio and Chania. Heraklio has the greatest choice, with additional departures during the summer. Chania normally has at least one daily overnight ferry.

• Piraeus to Heraklio: Roughly 8 to 10 hours on the most convenient sailings, though routes with additional stops take longer.
• Piraeus to Chania: Roughly 8 to 9½ hours.
• Overnight ferries: Leave Piraeus in the evening and arrive early the following morning.
• Daytime ferries: Operate on selected seasonal dates, primarily on the Heraklio route.

Exact times, vessels, and intermediate stops change by date. Some ferries travel directly, while others call at Milos or additional islands.

Overnight or Daytime Ferry?

Overnight Ferry: Best for Most Travelers

An overnight ferry is the most practical choice. You leave Athens after dinner, sleep during the crossing, and arrive in Crete early enough to use the full day.

Book a cabin rather than treating the ferry like an overnight bus. The cost is higher, but it replaces a hotel night and makes an enormous difference to the first day in Crete.

Daytime Ferry: Best for Views

Seasonal daytime sailings provide sea views and access to the ship’s restaurants, cafés, lounges, and outdoor decks. The drawback is that the journey consumes most of a day that could otherwise be spent in Athens or Crete.

Choose a daytime ferry when you dislike overnight travel, want to enjoy the ship, or cannot get a suitable overnight cabin.

Cabins and Ticket Classes

Cabins

I strongly recommend a cabin for the overnight crossing. Cabins provide proper beds, privacy, and a private bathroom on most of the large ferries used for Crete.

Common cabin categories include:

• Inside cabin: The cheapest private cabin. It has no window but is perfectly adequate for sleeping.
• Outside cabin: Similar layout with a window or porthole. It costs more but makes the small space feel less enclosed.
• Shared cabin: You reserve one bed in a cabin shared with other passengers of the same sex. It is cheaper than reserving the full cabin.
• Two-berth or four-berth private cabin: Best for couples and families. When booked privately, the unused beds remain yours.
• Pet-friendly cabin: Available on selected ships and limited in number.

Confirm the bed arrangement and bathroom facilities shown for the exact cabin before paying. The most desirable private cabins sell out well ahead for weekends and peak summer dates.

Reserved Seats

If cabins are sold out or too expensive, reserve an aircraft-style or Business Class seat.

• Economy or Deck: The cheapest ticket. It provides access to public lounges and outdoor decks but no reserved place to sleep. I do not recommend it for an overnight crossing.
• Aircraft-Style Seat: A numbered reclining seat in a dedicated indoor lounge. This is the best lower-cost alternative to a cabin.
• Business or VIP: Provides more space and a quieter lounge, but it remains a seat rather than a bed.

How Much Do Athens to Crete Ferry Tickets Cost?

Basic passenger fares start at roughly €30 to €55, depending on the destination, vessel, route, and available fare category. Reserved seats, cabins, and vehicles cost more.

• Economy or Deck: The lowest fare, with no reserved seat.
• Aircraft-Style Seat: A modest upgrade over Economy and better suited to overnight travel.
• Cabin: Price depends on whether it is shared or private, inside or outside, and how many beds it contains.
• Vehicle: Car prices depend on vehicle size, route, and sailing.
• Children: Infant and child discounts differ by company and ticket category. Enter each child’s correct age when booking.

Promotional fares and family packages are available on some sailings, but the cheapest fares and cabins have limited availability. Booking early is primarily about securing the schedule, cabin, and vehicle space you want.

Buying Tickets, E-Tickets, and When to Book

I use Ferryhopper to compare Heraklio and Chania sailings, journey times, stops, cabin categories, and vehicle prices in one search.

• Choose the arrival port first: Do not book the cheapest ferry before checking how far the port is from your hotel.
• Check the route: A direct ferry is preferable to one making several intermediate stops unless the timing is much better.
• Select the exact cabin: Confirm whether the price is for one bed in a shared cabin or exclusive use of the entire cabin.
• Follow the confirmation instructions: Some ferry companies require online check-in shortly before departure; others issue the boarding pass with the booking.
• Save the boarding pass: Download the QR code or take a screenshot before leaving your hotel.
• Bring identification: Carry the passport or identification used for the reservation.

When to Book

• June through September: Book as soon as your itinerary is fixed, especially for a private cabin, pet cabin, or vehicle.
• April, May, and October: Several weeks ahead is normally enough, but reserve earlier for weekends and holidays.
• Winter: Passenger seats rarely sell out, but the limited schedule makes advance planning worthwhile.

Luggage, Food, Wi-Fi, and Seasickness

Luggage

Large luggage is stored in designated areas near the vehicle deck or ferry entrance. Take passports, medication, electronics, valuables, toiletries, chargers, warm clothing, and everything needed overnight to your cabin or seat.

Vehicle and luggage decks are normally closed to passengers during the crossing, so do not leave anything important in your car or large suitcase.

Ferry luggage allowances are generous. Blue Star publishes an allowance of up to 50 kg or one cubic meter per passenger, which is more than enough for normal holiday luggage.

Food and Drink

The large Crete ferries have cafés, bars, and self-service or table-service restaurants. Selection varies by ship. You can also bring your own food and water.

Restaurants become busy soon after departure, so eat before boarding or go to dinner promptly after finding your cabin.

Wi-Fi and Mobile Service

Wi-Fi is available on some vessels but can be slow or unreliable. Download boarding passes, hotel details, maps, books, films, and other entertainment before leaving Piraeus.

Mobile reception disappears or becomes unreliable during parts of the crossing.

Seasickness

The ferries used between Athens and Crete are among the largest and steadiest domestic ships in Greece. They are less susceptible to rough conditions than small Cyclades high-speed ferries, though movement is still possible in strong wind.

A cabin near the middle of the ship and on a lower passenger deck provides the calmest ride. Take motion-sickness medication before departure according to the package instructions or your doctor’s advice.

How to Get to the Crete Ferries at Piraeus

Crete ferries normally depart from gates E2 or E3. These are farther from the metro station than the Cyclades gates and require a walk around the harbor.

Confirm the gate on your ticket and again on the electronic port signs. Vessel and gate assignments can change.

From Central Athens

• Metro: Take Line 3 from Syntagma or Lines 1 or 3 from Monastiraki directly to Piraeus.
• Walking from the metro: Allow about 15 to 25 minutes to reach E2 or E3, depending on the exact berth, your pace, and luggage.
• Internal port bus: A free shuttle circulates inside the port and is useful with luggage.
• Taxi: Allow about 30 to 45 minutes from central Athens in normal traffic. Ask to be dropped at the exact gate or vessel rather than simply at “Piraeus Port.”
• Private transfer: Best with young children, substantial luggage, mobility limitations, or a vehicle check-in deadline.

From Athens Airport

• Metro Line 3: Runs directly from Athens Airport to Piraeus. The train journey takes about an hour, followed by the walk or internal bus to E2 or E3.
• Airport bus X96: Runs throughout the day and night and terminates at Piraeus.
• Taxi or transfer: Allow roughly 45 to 75 minutes depending on traffic.
• Connection buffer: Do not plan a tight same-day flight-to-ferry connection. Allow for baggage collection, traffic, walking inside Piraeus, and possible flight delays.

When to Arrive

• Foot passengers: Arrive 45 to 60 minutes before departure.
• Vehicles: Arrive at least 60 to 90 minutes before departure and follow the company’s vehicle check-in instructions.
• Cabin passengers: Boarding early gives you time to find the cabin, store luggage, and eat before departure.

Arriving Early in Crete

Overnight ferries reach Crete early, sometimes before sunrise. Most hotel rooms will not be ready when you arrive.

Contact your hotel before traveling and ask whether you can leave luggage, use the lobby, have breakfast, or pay for guaranteed early check-in.

Arriving at Heraklio Port

Heraklio port is close to the center. Take a taxi to your hotel, walk if the route is manageable with luggage, or collect a pre-booked rental car.

If the room is not ready, leave your bags at the hotel and have breakfast in the center. The location is far more convenient for an early arrival than Souda.

Arriving at Souda Port for Chania

Souda is a working port rather than a tourist center. Arrange a taxi, hotel transfer, rental car, or local bus into Chania.

Do not plan to walk from Souda to Chania Old Town with luggage. Send your hotel the ferry company, vessel name, and scheduled arrival time when arranging a transfer.

Ferry Delays, Weather, and Connections

The large ships used for Crete are more reliable in strong wind than small high-speed ferries, but delays and cancellations remain possible.

• Morning arrival delays: Do not schedule a tightly timed tour, domestic flight, or long transfer immediately after the ferry docks.
• Vehicle unloading: Cars can take additional time to leave the ship after foot passengers begin disembarking.
• Track the ferry: Use the MarineTraffic
• If canceled: Follow the ferry company’s instructions for rebooking or requesting a refund. Available alternatives depend on the operator and sailing schedule.

Should You Fly or Take the Ferry from Athens to Crete?

Take the ferry when bringing a car, traveling with substantial luggage, continuing from central Athens, or wanting to replace a hotel night with an overnight cabin.

Fly when connecting through Athens Airport, short on time, or strongly prone to seasickness.

Flights are much shorter, but total travel time also includes returning to Athens Airport, arriving before departure, passing security, collecting luggage, and traveling from the Crete airport to your hotel.

The ferry is particularly practical for families who can share a private cabin and travelers beginning in central Athens. Flying is normally faster for anyone already at Athens Airport.

Read More

• Greek Ferry Guide
• Piraeus Ferry Port Guide
• Heraklio Ferry Port Guide
• Where to Stay in Crete