Greece › Ferries › Crete to Santorini
Updated: August 27, 2026 • By Santorini Dave
Questions? dave@santorinidave.com
See Also
- Where to Stay in Crete
- Heraklion Ferry Port Guide
- Where to Stay in Santorini
- Santorini Athinios Ferry Port Guide
Most ferries from Crete to Santorini leave from Heraklion and arrive at Athinios Port. Ferries run year-round, with the fastest crossings taking about 1 hour 35 minutes. In summer, there are multiple departures on many days. Conventional ferries are cheaper but take roughly 3 to 4.5 hours and do not run on a consistent schedule like the high-speed ferries. Rethymno has limited direct service from May through October, and Sitia has slower year-round service. There are no regular direct ferries from Chania or Agios Nikolaos.
Helpful Links
- Compare ferry schedules and buy tickets: Ferryhopper
- Pre-booked transfers in Santorini: Welcome Pickups
High-speed SeaJets ferries make the fastest crossings from Crete to Santorini. Vessel assignments change, so check the ferry size before booking if seasickness is a concern.
Heraklion is the main Crete ferry port for Santorini and has the widest choice of sailings.
Crete-to-Santorini Ferries: My Tips
My boys boarding the ferry in Heraklion on our way to Santorini.
- Best port for most travelers: Heraklion. It has the most frequent service, the fastest ferries, and the easiest road and bus connections.
- Best option from western Crete: Check Rethymno first when staying in Rethymno or Chania. Use it when the twice-weekly seasonal schedule matches your date; otherwise travel via Heraklion.
- Best option from far eastern Crete: Check Sitia before driving to Heraklion. The ferry is much slower, but the direct route can make sense if you are already staying near Sitia.
- Fastest crossing: About 1 hour 35 minutes from Heraklion.
- Cheapest crossing: Conventional fares from Heraklion are much cheaper, but the trip takes longer and the schedule is irregular. The fast SeaJets ferry start at about €110.
- When to book: Book once your dates are firm for June through September. The best departure times, premium seats, and vehicle spaces sell out first.
- Best ferry for seasickness: The largest vessel available. Small high-speed catamarans move more sharply in rough water, even on a short crossing.
- When to reach the port: Arrive 45 to 60 minutes before departure. Allow more time when returning a rental car or traveling with children and heavy luggage.
- Best Santorini arrival plan: Arrange a hotel pickup or pre-booked transfer. Athinios Port is crowded, taxis are limited, and no useful hotel area is within walking distance.
- My day-trip advice: A day trip is possible but rushed. Stay at least two nights in Santorini unless your Crete itinerary leaves no other option.
Crete to Santorini Ferry: Times, Prices & Schedule
- Main route: Heraklion to Santorini’s Athinios Port.
- Fastest crossing: About 1 hour 35 minutes from Heraklion.
- Fast ferry fare: About €110 one way from Heraklion on SeaJets.
- Cheapest fares: Conventional ferries from Heraklion can start around €20 but take much longer.
- Heraklion schedule: Ferries run year-round. Fast daily service runs from spring through early November, with slower conventional service through winter.
- Rethymno schedule: Seasonal service runs from May through October, twice per week. The crossing takes about 2 hours 20 minutes.
- Sitia schedule: Direct ferries run year-round several days per week. The crossing takes roughly 6 to 7.5 hours.
Which Crete Port Should You Use?
Heraklion: Best for Most Travelers
Heraklion is the main ferry gateway from Crete to Santorini. It has the most departures, the fastest crossings, year-round service, and the best public transport and road connections. If you are unsure which port to use, choose Heraklion.
Rethymno: Best When the Schedule Fits
Rethymno has direct seasonal ferries to Santorini from May through October, currently twice per week. It is a valuable shortcut for travelers staying in Rethymno and can also save Chania travelers from driving all the way to Heraklion. The drawback is frequency. If the schedule does not fit naturally, use Heraklion rather than rearranging several days of your trip around one ferry.
Sitia: Useful for Eastern Crete
Sitia has year-round direct ferries to Santorini, but the crossing is much slower than from Heraklion. It is worth checking when staying in Sitia, Palekastro, Zakros, or elsewhere in far eastern Crete. For travelers staying around Agios Nikolaos or Elounda, driving to Heraklion and taking the faster ferry is normally the better choice.
Chania
Regular Santorini ferries do not leave from Chania. From Chania, check the Rethymno schedule first. When it does not match your date, allow roughly 2 to 2.5 hours to reach Heraklion by road, with additional time for traffic, returning a rental car, and boarding. An overnight stay in Heraklion is best for an early ferry. Driving across Crete before sunrise adds stress to an otherwise simple travel day.
Agios Nikolaos and Elounda
Regular Santorini ferries do not leave from Agios Nikolaos. Heraklion is the best port for most travelers staying in Agios Nikolaos or Elounda. Allow roughly 60 to 90 minutes by car, depending on your starting point and traffic. A private transfer is easiest with luggage. Travelers returning a rental car should confirm the agency’s opening time and drop-off location before booking an early ferry.
Getting to Heraklion Ferry Port
Heraklion Port sits immediately east of the city center and is easy to reach by taxi. The passenger terminal and ferry piers are close together, and port staff direct passengers to the correct ship.
From Central Heraklion
The port is a short taxi ride from most central hotels. Walking takes roughly 15 to 25 minutes from the Old Town, depending on your hotel and luggage. Walking is reasonable with a small bag. Take a taxi with wheeled suitcases, children, or summer heat. Several good Heraklion hotels are close enough to make an early departure straightforward.
From Heraklion Airport
The airport is about 3 km east of the ferry port. A taxi takes roughly 10 to 15 minutes in normal traffic. Leave additional time during the summer arrival rush. If your flight is delayed and you miss the ferry, the ferry company is not responsible for the missed connection.
From Elsewhere in Crete
Approximate driving times to Heraklion Port are:
- Hersonissos: 30 to 40 minutes.
- Malia: 40 to 50 minutes.
- Rethymno: 75 to 90 minutes.
- Agios Nikolaos: 60 to 75 minutes.
- Elounda: 75 to 90 minutes.
- Chania: About 2 to 2.5 hours.
These are road times, not safe hotel-departure times. Add a traffic buffer, time to return a rental car, and 45 to 60 minutes at the port before departure.
For detailed maps and transport advice, see my Heraklion Ferry Port Guide.
How Long Is the Ferry from Crete to Santorini?
The fastest Heraklion-to-Santorini ferries take about 1 hour 35 minutes. Fast ferries generally take 1.5 to 2 hours. Conventional ferries take roughly 3 to 4.5 hours but can cost far less.
The seasonal Rethymno-to-Santorini ferry takes about 2 hours 20 minutes. Ferries from Sitia take roughly 6 to 7.5 hours.
How Much Is the Ferry from Crete to Santorini?
Crete-Santorini ferry schedules, times, and prices on Ferryhopper.com.
Prices vary dramatically because the fast and conventional ferries are completely different trips.
- Fast ferry from Heraklion: About €110 one way for standard seating.
- Conventional ferries from Heraklion: Fares can start around €20, but crossings take much longer and run at odd hours.
- Rethymno ferry: Fares start around €105 one way.
- Sitia ferry: Fares start around €25 one way.
- Business and VIP: Cost extra but provide more space and a less crowded cabin.
- Vehicles: Require a separate ticket and should be reserved early.
Do not compare fares without comparing travel time and vessel size. The cheapest crossing and the fastest crossing are completely different ferry experiences.
Which Ferry and Seat Should You Choose?
Choose the Largest Suitable Ferry
A large vessel is the best choice for travelers worried about seasickness. Small high-speed catamarans react more sharply to rough water than large high-speed ships or conventional ferries.
When comparing departures, look at:
- Vessel length and passenger capacity.
- Total travel time.
- Departure and arrival times.
- Available seat classes.
Ferryhopper lists the length and passenger capacity of many ferries. If seasickness is a concern, choose the largest vessel available rather than automatically selecting the shortest crossing.
Business and VIP Seating
Business or VIP seating offers more space, less crowding, and a quieter cabin. I think the upgrade is worthwhile for travelers who dislike busy standard seating or want a calmer trip. Standard seating is fine for most travelers, especially on a large ferry and a 1.5-hour crossing.
Business and VIP seating provides more room and a less crowded environment. It is a worthwhile upgrade but not necessary for every traveler on this short route.
When to Book Ferry Tickets
For June through September, book once your dates are firm. This is one of Greece’s busiest island-hopping routes, and the best departure times, seat classes, and vehicle spaces sell out first.
- July and August: Book early, especially for a specific morning departure, premium seat, or vehicle space.
- June and September: Book ahead when your itinerary depends on one particular ferry.
- April, May, and October: There are fewer travelers, but also fewer useful departures outside the main summer schedule.
- November through March: Ferries still run from Heraklion, but service is less frequent and crossings are slower. Check your exact date before finalizing hotels or flights.
Booking early gives you the best choice of departure times, vessels, seat classes, and vehicle space.
How to Buy Tickets and Use E-Tickets
I use Ferryhopper to compare operators, travel times, vessel sizes, prices, and seat classes.
After Booking
- Read the confirmation email for the ferry company’s check-in instructions.
- Complete online check-in when it opens.
- Download the boarding pass or QR code.
- Save a screenshot or PDF of the boarding pass so you can open it without mobile service.
- Bring the passport or identification used for the reservation.
Major ferry companies support mobile boarding passes, but check-in procedures vary. Your booking confirmation is not always the final boarding pass.
Boarding, Luggage, and Food
Arrive at the port 45 to 60 minutes before departure. Boarding is fast, and high-speed ferries spend little time at the dock. Large suitcases go in the luggage racks near the entrance or vehicle deck. You carry your bags onboard yourself, and they are not checked like airline luggage.
Always Keep These Items With You
- Passport and identification.
- Wallet and phone.
- Medication.
- Laptop and camera.
- Anything needed during the crossing.
High-speed ferries have cafés selling drinks, coffee, sandwiches, and snacks. Bring water and a small snack anyway, especially when traveling with children or dietary restrictions.
Wind, Seasickness, and Ferry Delays
The water between Crete and Santorini becomes rough during strong winds, especially when the Meltemi is blowing in July and August. A short crossing is not necessarily a smooth one. Small high-speed catamarans move more sharply than large high-speed ships or conventional ferries.
If You Are Prone to Seasickness
- Choose the largest vessel available.
- Sit low and near the middle of the ferry.
- Avoid reading or staring at your phone when the ferry is moving.
- Eat lightly and avoid alcohol before departure.
- Take motion-sickness medication according to the package instructions or medical advice.
Strong winds also cause delays and occasional cancellations. Check messages from the ferry company before leaving a distant part of Crete. Do not book a ferry connection close to an international flight. Spend the final night in Athens or near your departure airport rather than depending on a same-day ferry arrival.
Arriving at Santorini Athinios Port
Crete ferries arrive at Athinios Port, below Santorini’s caldera cliffs. It is not walkable to Fira, Oia, Imerovigli, Firostefani, Kamari, Perissa, or any useful hotel area. When a ferry arrives, hundreds of passengers, transfer vans, buses, taxis, rental-car shuttles, and private vehicles crowd into a very small space.
Pre-Booked Transfer or Hotel Pickup
This is the easiest arrival plan, especially with luggage, children, or a hotel outside Fira. A driver meets the ferry and takes you directly to your hotel or the closest vehicle-accessible point. I use Welcome Pickups. Confirm whether your hotel offers a port pickup before arranging a separate transfer.
Public Bus
Buses meet arriving ferries and travel to Fira’s central bus station. From Fira, passengers transfer to another bus for Oia, Imerovigli, Kamari, Perissa, and most other destinations. The bus is cheap and dependable but crowded. It works best for light travelers staying in Fira or near a simple connecting route.
Taxi
Santorini has far fewer taxis than arriving ferry passengers. The queue can be long, and finding a vehicle immediately is not guaranteed. Do not make an unreserved taxi your main plan when arriving late or staying outside Fira.
For more detail, see my Santorini Athinios Ferry Port Guide.
Crete to Santorini Day Trips
A day trip from Crete to Santorini is possible during the main ferry season, but it is long, expensive, and rushed. The fast morning ferry from Heraklion reaches Santorini around mid-morning, with a return ferry later in the afternoon. After disembarking and traveling up the caldera road, visitors have only several hours for sightseeing. This is enough for a quick visit to Oia and Fira, but not enough to experience Santorini properly.
Rethymno also has same-day Santorini service on the days its seasonal ferry runs.
Organized Tour or Independent Day Trip?
An organized tour is the better choice for most day-trippers because it includes:
- Ferry tickets.
- Transport between Athinios Port, Oia, and Fira.
- A return schedule coordinated with the ferry.
- Optional pickup from selected Crete resorts.
Independent travelers must arrange their own Santorini transport, and taxis are too limited to rely on. Public buses add waiting and transfers to an already short visit. For an organized excursion, see this Santorini Day Trip from Crete.
Is the Day Trip Worth It?
The tour is worthwhile when this is your only chance to see Santorini. It is not a substitute for staying on the island. I recommend spending at least two nights in Santorini. An overnight stay gives you time to enjoy the caldera after the day-trip crowds leave, have dinner with a view, and see more than Oia and Fira.
Can You Take a Day Trip from Santorini to Crete?
A Santorini-to-Crete day trip does not work well with the main ferry schedules. The useful fast ferries are timed much better for a Crete-to-Santorini day trip than the reverse. If you want to visit Crete from Santorini, stay overnight rather than trying to force it into one day.
A Santorini day trip from Crete includes several hours on the island. Organized tours make the limited time more useful by providing transport between Athinios Port, Oia, and Fira.
Ferry or Flight from Crete to Santorini?
The ferry is the standard direct connection between Crete and Santorini. From Heraklion, the fast ferry is normally the simplest choice. It travels directly between the islands in about 1.5 hours without airport check-in, security, or baggage collection.
From Chania, Elounda, southern Crete, or another distant resort, include the drive to Heraklion before comparing the ferry with a seasonal direct flight. An indirect flight through Athens rarely makes sense.
Should You Take a Car on the Ferry?
Most travelers should rent separate cars in Crete and Santorini. Many rental companies prohibit taking their vehicles on ferries without written permission. A vehicle ticket adds cost, vehicle spaces sell out, and returning the Crete car before boarding is usually simpler.
If you are taking your own vehicle or have written rental-company permission:
- Book the vehicle space early.
- Enter the correct vehicle dimensions.
- Arrive at least an hour before departure.
- Follow crew instructions during loading.
- Keep valuables and anything needed during the trip outside the vehicle.
When returning a rental car in Heraklion, confirm whether the office is at the port, in the city, or at the airport. Do not assume an early-morning return will be possible without advance arrangements.
Crete and Santorini Island-Hopping Strategy
Crete works well at the start of a south-to-north island itinerary. A simple route is:
Crete → Santorini → Naxos or Paros → Athens
Many high-season ferries continue north from Santorini to islands such as Ios, Naxos, Paros, or Mykonos. Check the exact route before assuming you can remain on the same ferry.
I prefer traveling from Crete to Santorini rather than the reverse when possible. The fast morning departure from Heraklion gives you a useful arrival time in Santorini and makes the travel day feel much shorter.
Crete to Santorini Ferry Types
Vessel assignments change by date and season. These photos show examples of the large high-speed ferries used on Crete and Cyclades routes.
The SeaJets Power Jet is an example of a large high-speed ferry used on Crete and Cyclades routes. A ship of this size is preferable to a small catamaran when the sea is rough.
The SeaJets Naxos Jet is another large high-speed vessel. The ferry assigned to your route can change, so check the vessel listed for your exact departure.
Crete ferry routes to Santorini, Athens, and the Cyclades. Heraklion is the main port for traveling from Crete to Santorini.
Crete to Santorini Ferry FAQ
What is the best ferry port in Crete for Santorini?
Heraklion is the best port for most travelers. It has the fastest ferries, the most frequent service, and year-round departures. Rethymno is useful when its limited seasonal schedule fits travelers staying in western Crete. Sitia is worth checking when staying in far eastern Crete.
How long is the ferry from Crete to Santorini?
The fastest Heraklion ferries take about 1 hour 35 minutes. Conventional ferries from Heraklion take roughly 3 to 4.5 hours. Rethymno takes about 2 hours 20 minutes, while Sitia takes roughly 6 to 7.5 hours.
Are there ferries from Crete to Santorini in winter?
Yes. Heraklion-to-Santorini ferries run year-round. Winter service is less frequent and uses slower conventional ferries rather than the fast daily summer service. Sitia also has year-round direct service.
Are there ferries from Chania to Santorini?
There is no regular direct service from Chania. Check the twice-weekly seasonal Rethymno route first; otherwise travel to Heraklion.
Are there ferries from Agios Nikolaos to Santorini?
There is no regular direct service from Agios Nikolaos. Heraklion is the best departure port for most travelers staying in Agios Nikolaos or Elounda.
Do Crete-to-Santorini ferries sell out?
Yes. Popular summer departures, premium seats, and vehicle spaces sell out first. Book once your dates are firm from June through September.
Is the ferry from Crete to Santorini rough?
It can be rough during strong winds, especially on small high-speed catamarans. Choose the largest vessel available if motion sickness is a concern.
Do I need to print my ferry ticket?
No for most major ferry companies. Complete online check-in when available and save the mobile boarding pass or QR code offline before reaching the port.
Can you visit Santorini from Crete for one day?
Yes, during the main ferry season. The fast morning ferry from Heraklion and afternoon return make a day trip possible. Rethymno also works as a day trip on the days its seasonal ferry operates. An organized tour is easier because it includes transport from Athinios Port to Oia and Fira.
Is it better to stay overnight in Santorini?
Yes. Spend at least two nights when your itinerary allows. A day trip gives you enough time for a quick look at Oia and Fira but not much else.
Can I take a rental car from Crete to Santorini?
Only with written permission from the rental company. Renting separate cars on Crete and Santorini is easier for most travelers.
Santorini Dave was started in 2011 when I posted a short guide to visiting Santorini with kids. Now, my site publishes regularly updated guides to 
Hi! Help please! We need to travel from Crete to Santorini and we’re hoping to take a ferry. There will be 9 of us travelling July 18th and we are staying in Chania. Is there really only an 8am ferry. Seems like it will take us 2 hours to get to the ferry which is really early for all of us, including mostly teenagers.
Any suggestions would help? Should we change our hotel and stay closer to the ferry?
You are correct that the main high-speed ferries to Santorini depart from Heraklion port, which requires about a 2-hour drive from Chania. Based on the schedule for July 18th, catching the 7:30 am or 8:00 am ferry would mean leaving Chania around 5:00 am, which is indeed very early, especially with teenagers.
Given this situation and your group size of nine, relocating to a hotel in or near Heraklion for the night of July 17th is your most practical and comfortable solution. This completely eliminates the need for that pre-dawn drive, allowing everyone a bit more sleep and a much shorter, less stressful transfer to the port in the morning. While arranging a very early van transfer from Chania is possible, switching hotels for that one night seems the best option to me.