Greece › Ferries › Crete to Athens
Updated: February 16, 2026 • By Santorini Dave
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The Heraklion ferry port is close to several good Heraklion hotels and walking distance from downtown. You can purchase tickets at the port though I recommend passengers buy ferry tickets online.
Souda Bay is the ferry port for Chania. It’s 10-20 minutes by taxi or bus from Old Town Chania.
Ferries from Crete arrive at the Piraeus ferry port, 30-minutes by taxi or train from central Athens.
Crete to Athens Ferry – My Tips
- Heraklion and Chania are the main departure ports. Note that Chania ferries depart from Souda Port, which is a 15-minute taxi or 20-minute bus ride from Chania town. Allow plenty of time to get to Souda, especially for evening departures when traffic can be heavy.
- Piraeus is the arrival port in Athens. Ferries from Crete usually dock at gates E2 or E3. These gates are a significant walk (15-20 minutes) from the Piraeus metro station. You can take the free port bus (stops inside the port) or a taxi to the station if you have heavy luggage.
- Overnight ferries are the standard option. They depart Crete around 9pm and arrive in Piraeus around 6am. This saves you the cost of a hotel night and gets you into Athens bright and early.
- 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 Piraeus 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: You will arrive in Piraeus very early (around 6am). If you are heading to the airport, the X96 bus runs 24/7 from the port to the airport, or you can take Metro Line 3 (Blue) which starts running around 5:30am. If staying in Athens, drop your bags at your hotel (most allow early luggage drop) and find a bakery or cafe for breakfast, as rooms won’t be ready until afternoon.
- Arrive early. Boarding starts an hour before departure. Be at the port at least 45 minutes prior to sailing. For Chania/Souda departures, the bus from Chania town drops you right at the ferry terminal.
How do I buy tickets and use E-Tickets?
The process is now fully digital and simple. The days of waiting in lines at dusty port kiosks are over.
- Where to buy: I only 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 cabin for Crete to Athens overnight ferries.
Example Crete to Athens Schedule
Crete-Athens ferry schedule and prices on ferryhopper.com. Ferries depart from Chania and Heraklion.
I recommend Business or First Class seats for the longish ride from Crete to Athens. For a bit more money you get added room and a quieter, more relaxed environment.
Sleeping cabins are available in two and four-bed layouts. This is the four-person sleeping cabin. It has a small private bathroom and shower.
The “Blue Horizon” Blue Star ferry in Heraklion bound for Athens.
The “Blue Galaxy” Blue Star ferry in Chania bound for Athens.
Crete to Athens Ferry Schedule
There are ferries from Crete to Athens 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 Cretan ports of Chania (Souda Port) and Heraklion and arrive at the port of Piraeus in Athens. The ride generally takes about 9 hours for overnight trips and 6.5 to 8 hours for daytime trips.
Departure Ports in Crete
Ferries to Athens depart from the two main ports on the island’s north coast.
- Heraklion Port: Located in central Crete, this serves the capital city. The port is very central and easily accessible by taxi or a short walk from the bus station if you are coming from other towns like Rethymno or Agios Nikolaos.
- Chania (Souda Port): Ferries from Chania depart from Souda, located about 7km east of Chania town. You must take a 15-minute taxi (approx. €15) or a 20-minute local bus (from the Chania Market Square) to reach the ship.
Destination Port in Athens
- Piraeus Port: This is the exclusive arrival port for Crete ferries. Ships usually dock at gates E2 or E3.
- Connections: Upon arrival (usually around 6:00 am), you can take the Metro to central Athens and the airport, or the X96 Bus to the airport (runs 24/7, departs near the docks). The Piraeus Metro station (Line 1 Green and Line 3 Blue) is about a 15 to 20-minute walk from the Crete ferry docks, or a quick ride on the free port shuttle bus.
Ferry Operators
- Minoan Lines: Operates large, modern cruise ferries primarily on the Heraklion-Piraeus route. They typically offer the fastest crossing times.
- ANEK Lines / Blue Star Ferries: These companies operate jointly on routes from both Chania (Souda) and Heraklion to Piraeus. Their vessels are large, stable, and very 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
- Arrival Strategy: You will arrive in Athens early (often before sunrise). If you are flying out, the metro is the fastest way to the airport. If staying in Athens, drop your bags at your hotel reception (most allow early drops) and find a cafe for breakfast, as check-in isn’t usually until afternoon.
- Reliability: Cancellations are extremely rare on this route as the ships are very large.
- Boarding: Boarding starts about an hour before departure. For the Chania route, allow extra time to get from the town center to Souda Port.
- 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.
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