Santorini to Crete Ferry Guide

Greece › Ferries › Santorini to Crete Ferries
Updated: January 8, 2026 • By Santorini Dave

See Also

• Where To Stay in Santorini
• Santorini Ferry Port Guide
• Where to Stay in Crete
• Heraklion Ferry Port Guide

The ferry port in Santorini is small and well-served by buses from Fira. If coming from another town you’ll need to switch buses in Fira (or take a taxi).

The Heraklio ferry port is walking distance from the city center and several good hotels, like the GDM Megaron that this photo is taken from.

Santorini to Crete Ferry – My Tips

• The “Reverse” Route: Unlike the morning ferries from Crete to Santorini, the ferries from Santorini to Crete almost always depart in the afternoon (usually between 3:00 pm and 6:00 pm). They are coming from Mykonos/Naxos/Paros, stopping in Santorini, and finishing their route in Crete.
• No Day Trips: Because ferries depart Santorini in the late afternoon and arrive in Crete in the evening, it is impossible to do a day trip from Santorini to Crete. You must spend at least one night in Crete.
• The Bus to the Port: The bus to Athinios Port departs from the central bus station in Fira. It costs €2.30 and takes about 20-30 minutes to get down the cliff (much cheaper than a €30–€40 taxi). Buses generally leave Fira 60 to 90 minutes before every scheduled ferry departure. Warning: The bus can get incredibly crowded in July and August—arrive early.
• Arrival Ports in Crete: 95% of ferries arrive in Heraklio (Heraklion), the main hub. From there, you can walk to the city center or catch a bus to Chania or Rethymno. Occasionally (typically Tuesdays/Saturdays), a Seajets vessel runs to Rethymno. There are no direct ferries to Chania; you must ferry to Heraklio and bus/drive (2.5 hours) to Chania.
• Booking Tickets: I recommend booking via FerryHopper.com. In July and August, these ferries can be fully booked. Reserve 2 to 3 months in advance to be safe.
• Seasickness & Weather: The route south to Crete is moving with the wind (the Meltemi blows north to south), so it can actually be smoother than the ride north. However, high-speed catamarans still bounce around. Take precautions if you are sensitive.
• Flight Option: Some years, there are flights from Santorini (JTR) to Heraklio (HER), but they are rare and seasonal. As of this update, I don’t see any direct flights for the summer of 2026.

How To Buy Tickets and Use E-Tickets?

The process is now fully digital and simple.

• 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 Santorini to Crete Ferry Schedule

The Santorini-Crete ferry schedule on ferryhopper.com.

I recommend paying a little extra money and getting Business Class or VIP seats for the added room and more-relaxed atmosphere.

Common Ferries from Santorini to Crete

The Seajets Naxos Jet from Santorini to Crete.

The Seajets Power Jet from Santorini to Crete.