Heraklion Ferry Port

Greece › Crete › Heraklion Ferry Port
Updated: August 26, 2026 • By Santorini Dave

See Also

• Crete to Santorini Ferry
• Crete to Athens Ferry
• Where to Stay in Crete
• Best Hotels in Crete

Helpful Links

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

Heraklion Ferry Port Quick Facts

• Walkable? Yes, but it depends where you’re going. A few hotels near the waterfront are an easy walk from the ferries. Most of central Heraklion is uphill from the port, with some steep sections. Take a taxi with luggage.
• To the Airport: Heraklion Airport is about 4 km from the ferry port. A taxi takes about 10 minutes without heavy traffic.
• Do I need a taxi? Not if you’re staying at one of the closest waterfront hotels and traveling light. For hotels farther into the center, the airport, or heavy luggage, I would take one.
• E-tickets? Yes. I book through FerryHopper and keep the boarding pass on my phone.
• Facilities: The passenger terminal has restrooms, food and drinks, Wi-Fi, an ATM, an information desk, and luggage lockers.

On This Page

• Heraklion Port Location
• Heraklion Port Transportation
• Heraklion Ferry Tickets
• Ferries from Heraklion
• Hotels near Heraklion Port
• Heraklion Ferry Port FAQ

Where is Heraklion Ferry Port?

Heraklion is also spelled Heraklio and Iraklio. It is Crete’s main ferry port, on the north coast beside the city of Heraklion. Most passenger ferries use Piers I and II. The passenger ferry area is compact and easy to navigate, with electronic boards displaying ferry names and destinations and port staff directing passengers to the correct ship.

Heraklion Ferry Port Transportation

Taxis & Private Transfers

• Welcome Pickups: My recommended pre-booked transfer service. The driver meets you at the port and monitors your ferry arrival.
• Taxis: The taxi stand is directly outside the passenger terminal. For hotels uphill in central Heraklion, the airport, or anywhere else in Crete, a taxi is the easiest option.

Heraklion Airport to Ferry Port

Heraklion Airport is about 4 km east of the ferry port. A taxi is easiest and takes about 10 minutes without heavy traffic. City buses also connect the airport with the port and central Heraklion. For a flight-to-ferry connection, I would take a taxi unless you have plenty of time.

Heraklion Port Buses

Heraklion’s main intercity bus station, commonly called Bus Station A or the Port Bus Station, is about an 8-minute walk from the ferry piers.

• Chania & Rethymno: Frequent buses leave from the Port Bus Station throughout the day.
• Agios Nikolaos & East Crete: Buses for Hersonissos, Malia, Agios Nikolaos, Ierapetra, and Sitia also leave from the Port Bus Station.
• South Crete: Current services from the Port Bus Station include buses for Moires, Matala, Phaistos, and Agia Galini. Check the current timetable before traveling.
• Knossos: Local city buses to Knossos leave from stops near the port and central Heraklion.
• Airport: Blue city buses connect the port area with Heraklion Airport. For a tight flight or ferry connection, take a taxi.

Car Rental & Parking

• Returning a Car: Confirm the exact return location with your rental company and allow an extra 30 minutes before ferry check-in.
• Renting a Car: Most major agencies are at Heraklion Airport, with additional offices around the city and port. Use Booking.com to compare. Automatic cars are limited and should be booked well ahead for July and August.
• Parking: There are organized parking areas close to the passenger port.

Walking from Heraklion Port & Luggage Storage

• Walking: Don’t judge the walk by distance alone. The waterfront immediately around the port is flat, and a few nearby hotels are easy to reach on foot. Once you head farther into central Heraklion, the route climbs uphill and is steep in places. Walking into town is fine without much luggage; with suitcases, take a taxi.
• Luggage Storage: Lockers are available inside the passenger terminal, useful if you arrive before hotel check-in or have a few hours before your ferry.

Heraklion Ferry Tickets

Booking Advice

• Santorini & the Cyclades: Book ahead from June through September, especially for the faster ferries and popular departure times.
• Athens: Foot-passenger tickets are easier to get, but cabins on the overnight ferries can sell out well ahead in summer.
• Weather: High-speed catamarans feel rougher than the large conventional ferries when the sea is choppy. Delays are more common on windy days.
• FerryHopper: I recommend FerryHopper. It’s the easiest way to compare schedules, book tickets, and keep e-tickets in one place. It’s the only site I use.

When to Arrive

• Foot Passengers: Arrive about 45 minutes before departure if you already have your e-ticket.
• Passengers with Cars: Arrive 60–90 minutes before departure.

Ferries from Heraklion

Heraklion has year-round ferry service to Athens, with many more routes and departures in spring, summer, and early fall. Ferries to Santorini, Naxos, Paros, and Mykonos run from April to late October or early November. Schedules change dramatically by season, so check routes and dates on FerryHopper rather than relying on a fixed timetable.

• Athens (Piraeus): Year-round service. Most travelers take one of the large overnight ferries operated by Blue Star Ferries or Minoan Lines.
• Santorini: Regular direct service runs from April to late October or early November, with the most departures in June, July, August, and September. Winter service is sporadic, with perhaps two sailings per week. The fastest ferries take about 1 hour 35 minutes.
• Cyclades: Seasonal routes connect Heraklion with islands including Ios, Naxos, Paros, Mykonos, and Milos. Routes and frequency change substantially outside summer.
• Rhodes & the Dodecanese: Ferries run from Heraklion to Rhodes and several other Dodecanese islands on selected days. These are long crossings and much less frequent than the Athens and Santorini routes.

Hotels Near Heraklion Ferry Port

Best Hotels near Heraklion Port

• GDM Megaron – My favorite hotel in Heraklion. Beautiful historic building overlooking the old harbor, with a rooftop pool and an excellent location for the ferries. The walk between the hotel and passenger port stays close to the waterfront and avoids the steeper climb into central Heraklion.
• Lato Boutique Hotel – My favorite for an early ferry. Very close to the harbor, with great port views and an excellent rooftop restaurant. The walk to the ferries is short and much easier than from hotels farther uphill in the center.
• Infinity City Boutique Hotel – Good-value hotel close to the harbor and convenient for the ferry port. The walk is short, though not as simple with luggage as GDM Megaron or Lato.
• Aquila Atlantis Hotel – Large upscale hotel with a rooftop pool and views toward the port. Close enough to walk without much luggage, but it sits uphill from the waterfront. I would take a taxi with heavy bags.
• Kastro Hotel – Good-value hotel in the center, convenient for restaurants and sightseeing but less convenient for walking to the ferry with luggage. Take a taxi for an early departure if you have bags.

Where to Eat near Heraklion Port

• Kritikos Fornos: Good for coffee, pastries, and something quick before a morning ferry.
• Peskesi: My favorite Cretan restaurant in Heraklion. It’s farther into the center, so go here when you have time for a proper meal rather than a quick stop before boarding.
• Herb’s Garden: Rooftop restaurant at Lato Boutique Hotel with views over the harbor and Koules Fortress.

If You Have a Few Hours

• 1 hour: Walk along the Venetian harbor to Koules Fortress and back.
• 2 hours: Visit the Heraklion Archaeological Museum and walk around the center.
• 3–4 hours: Visit Knossos. Leave plenty of time to get back to the port before your ferry.

Heraklion Ferry Port FAQ

Is Heraklion Port walkable with luggage?
It depends where you’re staying. A few hotels near the waterfront are an easy walk from the ferries, but most of central Heraklion is uphill from the port and the climb is steep in places. With standard rolling luggage or heavy bags, I would take a taxi.

How far is central Heraklion from the ferry port?
The edge of the center is close, but distances are misleading because much of the city sits uphill from the harbor. Walking is fine for sightseeing without bags. Arriving with luggage is a different story.

How far is Heraklion Airport from the ferry port?
About 4 km. A taxi takes roughly 10 minutes without heavy traffic. Allow extra time in summer.

How far is the bus station from Heraklion Port?
The main intercity Port Bus Station is about an 8-minute walk from the ferry piers. Buses from here go to Chania, Rethymno, Hersonissos, Malia, Agios Nikolaos, Matala, and many other destinations around Crete.

Is Heraklion Ferry Port confusing?
No. It gets busy when a large ferry arrives or several ships are loading at once, but the passenger ferry area is compact and easy to navigate.

Can I store luggage at Heraklion Port?
Yes. Luggage lockers are available inside the passenger terminal.

Which hotels are easiest to walk to from Heraklion Port?
GDM Megaron and Lato Boutique Hotel are my top choices if you want to walk between your hotel and the ferry. Both are close to the harbor and avoid most of the uphill walking required to reach hotels farther into central Heraklion.

Can I walk from my hotel to an early ferry?
Yes, if you’re staying close to the waterfront and don’t have heavy luggage. GDM Megaron and Lato are especially convenient. From hotels farther into central Heraklion, the walk to the port is downhill, but I would still take a taxi with large bags.

Can I arrive late at night?
Yes. For a late arrival, I would stay near the harbor rather than drag luggage uphill into the center. GDM Megaron and Lato are both convenient choices.

Heraklion Port Photos