Heraklion (Crete) to Athens (Piraeus) ferry tickets, compare times and prices

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How long is the ferry from Heraklion to Athens?

The Heraklion to Athens (Piraeus) ferry route is provided by 2 operators and is available for booking all year round. The ferry crossing from Heraklion to Athens (Piraeus) takes approximately 9 hours 29 minutes on ferries servicing this route. The ferry duration for the Heraklion to Athens (Piraeus) ferry can range between 8 hours 15 minutes and 15 hours depending on the operator that you decide to travel with.

Heraklion to Athens Ferry Schedule

There are around 20 weekly sailings from Heraklion to Athens (Piraeus).

Minoan Lines provide 1 sailing daily, 8 sailings weekly. SeaJets provide 1 sailing daily, 7 sailings weekly. Please keep in mind that ferry timetables often increase during the high season.

Heraklion to Athens Ferry Time

The first ferry leaves Heraklion Port at approximately 03:15 and the last ferry leaves at approximately 23:45. Ferry schedules can vary by operator and season.

High Speed Ferry Heraklion to Athens (Piraeus)

The fastest ferry from Heraklion to Athens (Piraeus) is with SeaJets in 8 hours 15 minutes.

What is the price of a fast ferry from Heraklion to Athens (Piraeus)?

The fastest ferries from Heraklion to Athens (Piraeus) usually cost around $155.94.

Can I take an overnight ferry from Heraklion to Athens (Piraeus)?

There are overnight ferries from Heraklion to Athens (Piraeus). The first overnight ferry departs the port of Heraklion at 21:00 and arrives in Athens at 06:15.

Can I reserve a cabin on the Heraklion ferry to Athens (Piraeus)?

There are cabins available on ferries from Heraklion to Athens (Piraeus) with SeaJets and Minoan Lines.

Can I bring pets on the Heraklion Athens (Piraeus) ferry?

Pets are allowed on ferries travelling from Heraklion to Athens (Piraeus) with Minoan Lines.

Can I bring my car on the ferry to Athens (Piraeus) from Heraklion?

Yes, you can bring your car on the Heraklion to Athens (Piraeus) ferry with Minoan Lines & SeaJets.

Can I travel as a foot passenger on ferries from Heraklion to Athens (Piraeus)?

Yes, you can travel as a foot passenger on the Heraklion Athens (Piraeus) ferry with Minoan Lines & SeaJets.

How much luggage can I bring on the ferry from Heraklion to Athens?

Passengers travelling with SeaJets can take a maximum of 50 kilograms of luggage per person at no additional cost. Please do not exceed this limit otherwise you may be forced to pay additional fees.

Heraklion to Athens (Piraeus) Ferry Price

The price of a ferry from Heraklion to Athens (Piraeus) can vary between $48.04 and $388.21 depending on the operator, season and whether you are travelling with a vehicle. The average price of a foot passenger is $89.09, with prices ranging from $33 and $220. The average price with a car is $253.15. Car prices can range from $105 to $460. All ferry prices can change from season to season. Please be aware that prices do not include booking fees. 1 February 2025

Cheap Ferry Crete Athens

Find cheap ferry tickets using our deal finder. It is highly recommended that you book in advance to ensure yourself the best possible prices and availability on the Athens (Piraeus) ferry.

Can I travel in first class on the Heraklion Athens (Piraeus) ferry?

First class is available on ferries from Heraklion to Athens (Piraeus) with SeaJets and Minoan Lines.

Can I do a day trip from Crete to Athens?

Unfortunately, you can't take a day trip from Heraklion to Athens by ferry due to the duration of the sailing. We recommend that you at least stay in Athens overnight to make your journey worthwhile.

How to get from Crete to Athens

The best way to travel from Heraklion to Athens (Piraeus) is by ferry. With 3 sailings per day, you are bound to find a suitable ferry crossing to suit your needs. However, there are alternative routes to explore if you require additional flexibility.

Heraklion to Athens (Piraeus) Ferry Alternatives

For more information, please visit our Ferries from Crete to Athens page.

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Heraklion - Athens (Piraeus) Ferry Route Summary
Departure Country	Crete
Destination Country	Athens
No. of Operators	2
Operators	Minoan Lines & SeaJets
Average Price	$156
Average Daily Sailings	3
Average Weekly Sailings	20
Average Sailing Duration	9 h 29 m
Fastest Sailing Duration	8 h 15 m
First Ferry	03:15
Last Ferry	23:45
Distance	168 Nautical Miles

* Prices subject to change, pricing is taken from last 30 days, last updated 1 February 2025.

Heraklion to Athens (Piraeus) Ferry Most Popular Questions

How long is the ferry from Heraklion to Athens (Piraeus)?

The ferry crossing time from Heraklion to Athens (Piraeus) is approximately 9 hours 29 minutes. Sailing duration may vary from season to season and by operator, so we would advise doing a live check using our Deal Finder.
How much is the ferry from Heraklion to Athens (Piraeus)?

Heraklion to Athens (Piraeus) ferry price can differ depending on the season. The average price of a ferry from Heraklion to Athens (Piraeus) is $156. Price exclusive of booking fees.
Which ferry companies operate between Heraklion to Athens (Piraeus)?
There are 2 popular ferry operators for Heraklion to Athens (Piraeus). These are
- Minoan Lines
- SeaJets
How can I book ferry tickets from Heraklion to Athens (Piraeus)?

Book ferries from Heraklion to Athens (Piraeus) through our deal finder and check our offers page to view the latest ferry offers.
Can you travel as a foot passenger on the ferry from Heraklion to Athens (Piraeus)?
Yes, you can travel as a foot passenger from Heraklion to Athens (Piraeus) with
- Minoan Lines
- SeaJets
Can you take your car on the ferry from Heraklion to Athens (Piraeus)?
Yes, you can travel on the ferry with a car from Heraklion to Athens (Piraeus) with
- Minoan Lines
- SeaJets
Can you bring pets on the ferry from Heraklion to Athens (Piraeus)?
Yes, pets are permitted onboard the ferry. You may need a pet passport. Please read the ferry operators pet guidelines. Currently you can bring pets on ferries with:
- Minoan Lines
How far is Heraklion to Athens (Piraeus)?

The distance from Heraklion to Athens (Piraeus) is 168 nautical miles.

Athens Ferry Port

The port city of Piraeus in Greece lies on the Saronic Gulf in the Attica region of the country and forms part of the Athens urban sprawl. Piraeus is Greece's main port and the largest in Europe and the third largest in the world.

Passengers arriving at Piraeus ferry port can expect to find a huge range of facilities including cafes, restaurants, duty free shops, ATMs, currency exchange offices and lounges. There is also the X96 bus which transports passengers between gates E1 to E9 throughout the day as well as taxi ranks.

As the Piraeus port is situated only 12km southwest of Athens city centre, you can easily get there via car or public transport. Simply follow Line 1 (Green Line) for approximately 30 minutes until you arrive at Monastiraki station. There is also the 040-bus available from Syntagma Square, which will take you within walking distance of the passenger terminals. Please head in the direction of gates E1 to E10 upon arrival in order to locate your ferry.