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Athens to Crete Ferry
Home / Europe / Crete / Ferries from Athens to Crete
Open Ticket??

Open tickets are valid for up to 12 months from booking date (see ticket conditions).

Open Ticket?

Open tickets are valid for up to 12 months from booking date (see ticket conditions).

Trip Details
Outbound
Round Trip
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Athens to Crete Ferry

Ferries from Athens to Crete sail approximately 39 times per week and are available with Blue Star Ferries, Minoan Lines & SeaJets.

How long is the ferry from Athens to Crete?

The ferry from Athens to Crete takes between 5 hours 45 minutes and 15 hours depending on the ferry route, operator, and ship that you choose.

What is the fastest ferry from Athens to Crete?

The fastest ferry from Athens to Crete is on the Athens (Piraeus) Heraklion (Crete) ferry with SeaJets in 5 hours 45 minutes.

Is there a high speed ferry from Athens to Crete?

Yes, there are high speed ferries available from Athens to Crete. The fastest ferry is the Speedrunner Jet 2 with SeaJets. It transports passengers from Piraeus to Chania once a day during the high season and takes only 5 hours to reach the island.

Is there a car ferry from Athens to Crete?

Yes, you can bring your car on the ferry from Athens to Crete with Blue Star Ferries, Minoan Lines & SeaJets.

How far is it from Athens to Crete?

There are approximately 173 miles (278km) and 150 nautical miles between Athens and Crete.

How much is the ferry from Athens to Crete?

The price of a ferry from Athens to Crete can differ by route, operator, season, vehicle type and whether you are sailing on a high-speed ferry or conventional ferry.

Athens (Piraeus) to Heraklion Ferry

The Athens (Piraeus) to Heraklion ferry ferry sails approximately 27 times weekly with a crossing time of 9 hours 25 minutes.

Athens (Piraeus) to Chania Ferry

The Athens (Piraeus) to Chania ferry sails around 7 times per week with an average crossing time of 9 hours 15 minutes.

Athens to Crete Ferry Offers and Discounts

We suggest that you book in advance to ensure that you get the cheapest ferry prices and availability. Please check out our special offers page to take advantage of all the latest ferry discounts available.

Is it better to fly or ferry from Athens to Crete?

Although the flight from Athens to Crete only takes 55 minutes, there are lots of advantages to travelling by ferry. Firstly, you can take much more luggage with you on your journey. You can also bring your vehicle onboard, making onward travel in Crete so much easier. Plus, you avoid all the hassle of busy airports.

Can you island hop from Crete to Athens?

Yes, Athens is a good starting point for island hopping in Greece. If you take the ferry from Athens to Crete, you can continue your adventure by going to Santorini, Milos, Ios or Paros from Heraklion Port.


What's the best way to get from Athens to Crete?


Travelling from Athens to Crete is simple, whether by plane or ferry. Crete has three airports—Heraklion, Chania, and Sitia—all offering direct flights from Athens International Airport, Eleftherios Venizelos, throughout the year. Alternatively, you can take a ferry from Piraeus Port to Heraklion, Chania, or Sitia.

Can you sleep on the ferry from Athens to Crete?

Yes, you can sleep on the ferry from Athens to Crete, as most overnight ferries offer a range of accommodation options. Operators like Minoan Lines and Anek Lines run overnight routes from Piraeus to Heraklion or Chania, with travel times of around 8 to 10 hours. You can book a private cabin with beds for a restful journey, or opt for economy or airline-style reclining seats. Onboard amenities include restaurants, lounges, and sometimes Wi-Fi. Booking a cabin in advance is recommended, especially in peak season.

How to book ferry tickets from Athens to Crete

Book and compare Athens Crete ferry tickets, operators, timetables and prices by using our Deal Finder.

How much are ferries from Athens to Crete?

From To Average price
Piraeus, Athens
Heraklion, Crete 		$217.58Average price
Piraeus, Athens
Chania, Crete 		$263.94Average price
Piraeus, Athens
Sitia, Crete 		$322.48Average price

Ferries from Athens to Crete

About Crete

The beautiful island of Crete is the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea and the largest of the Greek islands with a population of around half a million people. Despite its thousand miles of coastline, Crete is not just about sun, sea and sand. This distinct island is full of vitality, rich in culture and with warm, hospitable people. Though well known for its seas and beaches, Crete has a very contrasting landscape. The island goes from fertile coastal plains to rugged mountains and from busy metropolitan cities to very peaceful hillside homes. As a hugely popular holiday destination, Crete features numerous types of holiday accommodation ranging from luxury hotels to apartments and camp sites. Getting a ferry to Crete is quick and easy with numerous ports of departure and crossings run by many different ferry companies from the mainland as well as from the islands of the Dodecanese and the Cyclades. Ferries run from the mainland port of Piraeus (Athens) to the 3 ports at the north side of the island all year round. The shortest and most regular ferry crossing is to the port of Heraklion in the central part of Crete’s north coast. If you are travelling to Crete from the Cyclades region, north of Crete, you can travel from up to 6 islands including Mykonos and Santorini. From the Dodecanese group, north east of Crete, there are weekly ferry connections from up to 5 islands, including Rhodes.

Customer Service

Need help?

Visit our customer service page to find useful information on travelling by ferry, our FAQs, and how to contact us for help with your booking