Greece › Ferries › Crete to Santorini
Updated: May 5, 2026 • By Santorini Dave
Questions? dave@santorinidave.com
See Also
- Where to Stay in Crete
- Heraklio Ferry Port Guide
- Where To Stay in Santorini
- Santorini Ferry Port Guide
Helpful Links
- How I buy ferry tickets: Ferryhopper.com
- Pre-booked taxi service: Welcome Pickups
The SeaJets is the fastest ferry from Heraklion, Crete to Santorini.
The Heraklion ferry port has multiple daily ferries to Santorini from late March to early November.
If You Only Read 5 Things
- Most travelers take the ferry from Heraklion. This is the main Crete-to-Santorini route and the one with the most frequent service. If you are staying elsewhere in Crete, check how long it will take to reach Heraklion before booking.
- Book early in summer. This is one of the most popular ferry routes in Greece. For June through September, book well in advance. I use Ferryhopper to buy tickets and check schedules.
- This is usually a high-speed ferry route. The trip is relatively quick, but these ferries can be very bumpy when the Meltemi winds are blowing. If you are prone to seasickness, sit low and midship, take motion-sickness medication before boarding, and do not assume a short crossing means a smooth one.
- Arrive at Heraklion port early. I recommend getting to the port 45 to 60 minutes before departure. Heraklion ferry port is about 3 km from the airport and a 10 to 15 minute taxi ride. If you are overnighting before the ferry, there are several good hotels in Heraklion within walking distance of the port if you are traveling light.
- Have a plan for Santorini arrival. Ferries arrive at Athinios Port, which is crowded and chaotic in summer. Do not expect to easily find a taxi. The bus to Fira is reliable, but for the easiest arrival I recommend arranging a hotel pickup or pre-booking a transfer.
My boys boarding the ferry in Heraklion on our way to Santorini.
The Golden Rule: Book in Advance
The single most important piece of advice for this route is to book your ferry in advance. In May or October, you can find space a few days before departure, but from June to September, the most convenient high-speed ferries sell out in advance. I recommend booking 2 to 3 months in advance for summer travel, especially if you want a specific departure time or upgraded seating. Ferry prices do not rise as airfares do, but availability can get tight. Once booked, download your boarding pass to your phone and save a screenshot before heading to the port.
The Main Route: Heraklion to Santorini
Heraklion is the main ferry gateway from Crete to Santorini and the route most travelers should plan around. If you are building an itinerary that connects Crete with the Cyclades, this is the standard and most dependable option. Ferries run daily from spring through late October, with the fullest schedules in summer.
- Best for: Travelers staying in Heraklion, central Crete, or anywhere on the island who want the widest choice of sailings and the most dependable service.
- Frequency: In the high season (roughly June to September), there are 2 to 3 morning departures, most often between 8:00 am and 9:30 am. This makes it easy to arrive in Santorini by late morning or around lunchtime.
- Duration: The crossing takes about 1 hour 45 minutes to 2.5 hours on a high-speed ferry. It is one of the quickest and easiest island-to-island ferry routes in Greece, though the ride can be rough on windy days.
- Cost: Standard economy tickets are about €110 to €130 one-way. Business or VIP seats generally cost €130 to €170 and are worth the extra money for more space and a quieter cabin.
- Port location: Heraklion ferry port is very close to the city center. If you are staying in Heraklion, it is just a short taxi ride or about a 15-minute walk from the Old Town if you are traveling light.
- My take: If you are unsure which Crete port to use, choose Heraklion. It is by far the easiest port to build your plans around.
The Rethymno Connection
Rethymno can be a great shortcut for travelers in western Crete, but it is a limited seasonal route and should be treated as a bonus option, not the default plan. If the sailing day matches your itinerary, it can save a long early-morning drive to Heraklion.
- Best for: Travelers staying in Rethymno, Chania, or western Crete who want to avoid driving across the island to catch the main Heraklion ferry.
- Schedule: This route runs only a few times per week in season, not daily. It is much more limited than Heraklion, so always check the exact schedule before building your itinerary around it.
- Convenience: If the timing works, this can be the easiest option from western Crete and may save you a 60 to 90 minute drive to Heraklion.
- The catch: Because departures are limited, many travelers find that the Rethymno ferry simply does not run on the day they need. If that happens, you will need to use the main Heraklion to Santorini route instead.
- Important note: There are currently no direct ferries from Chania or Agios Nikolaos to Santorini. If you are not using Rethymno, you will almost certainly need to depart from Heraklion.
- My take: Rethymno is excellent when it lines up perfectly with your dates. If it does not, do not force it – just use Heraklion.
Important Warnings and Tips
The Aegean Sea can be unpredictable. Here is what you need to know before boarding.
- Seasickness Warning: The stretch of water between Crete and Santorini is known for being choppy, especially during the “Meltemi” winds in July and August. High-speed catamarans are smaller and feel the waves more than large conventional ferries. If you are prone to motion sickness, take medication 30 minutes before boarding.
- Arrival at Port: Arrive at the port at least 45 to 60 minutes before departure. The boarding process for these large catamarans is fast and chaotic; they do not wait for late passengers.
- Luggage: There are luggage racks near the entrance of the ferry. You do not need to check your bags like an airline. Keep your valuables with you at your seat.
Flights vs. Ferries
While there are occasionally seasonal flights between Heraklio (HER) and Santorini (JTR), they are often indirect through Athens or very expensive charter-style hops.
- Efficiency: Even if a direct 40-minute flight exists, once you factor in airport security, check-in times, and travel to the airport, the ferry is almost always faster and more convenient door-to-door.
- Reliability: Ferry schedules are much more consistent for this specific route than flight schedules.
Island Hopping Strategy
Crete is the ideal starting point for a “South to North” Greek island itinerary.
- Forward Connections: Most ferries that run from Crete to Santorini do not stop there. They continue north to Paros, Naxos, Ios, and Mykonos.
- Route Planning: I recommend starting your trip in Crete, taking the ferry to Santorini for a few days, and then continuing to Naxos or Paros before finishing in Athens.
Ferryhopper shows vessel length and passenger capacity for most ferries. Smaller catamarans will be faster, but if you’re worried about seasickness, choose the largest ferry available. Ferries over 80m long and carrying 800+ passengers will feel more stable than the smaller 40m to 50m catamarans.
How To Buy Tickets and Use E-Tickets?
The process is now fully digital and simple. The days of waiting in lines to buy tickets 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 E-Tickets seamlessly.
- The E-Ticket Process: After you book, you will receive a confirmation email. For most companies (like Blue Star and SeaJets), you complete a quick Online Check-in (usually available 48 hours before departure) to generate your actual Boarding Pass.
- Boarding: 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: Business or VIP are worth the extra cost (nicer seats in a more relaxed setting).
Example Crete to Santorini Schedule
Crete-Santorini ferry schedules, times, and prices on Ferryhopper.com.
I recommend Business Class or VIP seating for the added room and more-relaxed environment.
Day Trips: The Reality
Can you visit Santorini from Crete for just one day? Yes, but it is a long and exhausting day.
- The Schedule: Ferries depart Crete around 8:00 am and return from Santorini in the late afternoon, between 4:00 pm and 5:00 pm.
- Time on Island: After accounting for disembarking and getting up the caldera cliff, you will have about 5 to 6 hours on Santorini. This is enough to see Oia and Fira, but not much else.
- Best Tour Option: For a day trip, I suggest booking the Santorini Full-Day Tour. It manages the port transfers, ferry tickets, and crucial bus transport on Santorini. Taxis on the island are very limited, so having a guaranteed bus is a huge advantage.
- No Reverse Day Trips: It is impossible to do a day trip from Santorini to Crete. The ferry schedules only run “South to North” in the morning and “North to South” in the afternoon.
View of the Santorini caldera on the day-trip tour from Crete – which will visit either Santo Wines or Venetsanos Winery (both with great caldera views).
Common Ferries from Crete to Santorini
The Seajets Power Jet from Crete to Santorini.
The Seajets Naxos Jet from Crete to Santorini.
About Santorini Dave