How to Get from Santorini to Crete by Ferry

Greece › Ferries › Santorini to Crete Ferries
Updated: December 16, 2025 • 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.
• Getting to the Port (The Bus):
  • The bus to Athinios Port departs from the central bus station in Fira.
  • Timing: Buses generally leave Fira 60 to 90 minutes before every scheduled ferry departure. The schedule is posted daily on the paper printout at the bus station window (it changes based on the ferry schedule).
  • Cost: It costs €2.30 and takes about 20-30 minutes to get down the cliff. It’s much cheaper than a taxi (€30–€40).
  • Warning: The bus can get incredibly crowded in July and August. Arrive at the bus station early to ensure you get on.
• Arrival Ports in Crete:
  • Heraklio: 95% of ferries arrive here. It is the main hub. From Heraklio port, you can walk to the city center (15 mins, but uphill) or take a bus or taxi. The bus station for Chania/Rethymno is near the ferry port.
  • Rethymno: Occasionally (typically Tuesdays/Saturdays), a Seajets vessel runs to Rethymno. This is great if you plan to stay in western Crete.
  • Chania: There are no direct ferries from Santorini to Chania. You must take the ferry to Heraklio (or Rethymno) and then take a bus (2-3 hours) or rent a car to drive 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.

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.