Greece › Greek Ferries › Santorini to Crete Ferries
By Santorini Dave
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![Santorini ferry port.](https://santorinidave.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/santorini-to-crete-ferry.jpeg)
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).
![Heraklion Ferry Port](https://santorinidave.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/crete-heraklion-ferry-port.jpeg)
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.
From late March to early November, there are 1 to 3 ferries per day from Santorini to Heraklio (the largest port in Crete). The ferry ride from Santorini to Crete takes 2 or 3 hours and ferries usually depart Santorini in the afternoon and arrive in Heraklio between 5pm and 7pm.
• How to buy ferry tickets: Ferryhopper.com
• Best seats: I recommend Business or VIP if available (nicer seats in a more relaxed setting)
• When to book tickets: 2 to 3 months in advance (any sooner and some ferry routes might not be released yet, any later and some ferries could be sold out)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
![Fast ferry from Santorini to Heraklion, Crete.](https://santorinidave.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/santorini-to-crete-seajets-naxos-jet.jpeg)
The Seajets Naxos Jet from Santorini to Crete.
![High speed catamaran from Santorini to Crete.](https://santorinidave.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/santorini-to-crete-seajets-power-jet.jpeg)
The Seajets Power Jet from Santorini to Crete.
![Santorini to Crete high speed ferry.](https://santorinidave.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/santorini-to-heraklion-hellenic-highspeed-7.jpeg)
This the Hellenic Highspeed 7 ferry but it’s nearly identical to the Minoan Lines Santorini Palace ferry that does the Santorini to Crete route.
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