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

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How long is the ferry from Athens to Heraklion?

The Athens (Piraeus) to Heraklion ferry route is provided by 2 operators and is available for booking all year round. The ferry crossing from Athens (Piraeus) to Heraklion takes approximately 9 hours 35 minutes on ferries servicing this route. The ferry duration for the Athens (Piraeus) to Heraklion ferry can range between 8 hours 40 minutes and 15 hours 30 minutes depending on the operator that you decide to travel with.

Athens to Heraklion Ferry Schedule

There are around 21 weekly sailings from Athens (Piraeus) to Heraklion.

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

Athens to Heraklion Ferry Time

The first ferry leaves Athens (Piraeus) Port at approximately 07:00 and the last ferry leaves at approximately 23:59. Ferry schedules can vary by operator and season.

High Speed Ferry Athens (Piraeus) to Heraklion

The fastest ferry from Athens (Piraeus) to Heraklion is with SeaJets in 8 hours 40 minutes.

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

The fastest ferries from Athens (Piraeus) to Heraklion usually cost around $206.70.

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

There are overnight ferries from Athens (Piraeus) to Heraklion. The first overnight ferry departs at 17:00 and arrives in Heraklion at 03:00.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Athens (Piraeus) to Heraklion Ferry Price

The price of a ferry from Athens (Piraeus) to Heraklion can vary between $78.38 and $604.95 depending on the operator, season and whether you are travelling with a vehicle. The average price of a foot passenger is $134.99, with prices ranging from $35 and $192. The average price with a car is $323.99. Car prices can range from $106 to $468. All ferry prices can change from season to season. Please be aware that prices do not include booking fees. 1 February 2025

Cheap Ferry Athens Crete

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 Heraklion ferry.

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

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

Can I take a day trip on the Athens to Crete ferry?

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

How to get from Athens to Crete

The best way to travel from Athens (Piraeus) to Heraklion 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.

Athens (Piraeus) to Heraklion Ferry Alternatives

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

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Athens (Piraeus) - Heraklion Ferry Route Summary
Departure Country	Athens
Destination Country	Crete
No. of Operators	2
Operators	Minoan Lines & SeaJets
Average Price	$206
Average Daily Sailings	3
Average Weekly Sailings	21
Average Sailing Duration	9 h 35 m
Fastest Sailing Duration	8 h 40 m
First Ferry	07:00
Last Ferry	23:59
Distance	168 Nautical Miles

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

Athens (Piraeus) to Heraklion Ferry Most Popular Questions

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

The ferry crossing time from Athens (Piraeus) to Heraklion is approximately 9 hours 35 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 Athens (Piraeus) to Heraklion?

Athens (Piraeus) to Heraklion ferry price can differ depending on the season. The average price of a ferry from Athens (Piraeus) to Heraklion is $206. Price exclusive of booking fees.
Which ferry companies operate between Athens (Piraeus) to Heraklion?
There are 2 popular ferry operators for Athens (Piraeus) to Heraklion. These are
- Minoan Lines
- SeaJets
How can I book ferry tickets from Athens (Piraeus) to Heraklion?

Book ferries from Athens (Piraeus) to Heraklion 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 Athens (Piraeus) to Heraklion?
Yes, you can travel as a foot passenger from Athens (Piraeus) to Heraklion with
- Minoan Lines
- SeaJets
Can you take your car on the ferry from Athens (Piraeus) to Heraklion?
Yes, you can travel on the ferry with a car from Athens (Piraeus) to Heraklion with
- Minoan Lines
- SeaJets
Can you bring pets on the ferry from Athens (Piraeus) to Heraklion?
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 Athens (Piraeus) to Heraklion?

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

Athens to Crete Ferry Guide

Piraeus Port Guide

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 area, with the centre of Athens located some 12 km from the port. The centre of Piraeus is generally congested with traffic and tends not to be place where tourists would go. The area has many of the facilities you would expect of a non-tourist town: banks, public buildings, pedestrian areas, shopping streets and the like. The area around Zea Marina and Mikrolimano Harbour are perhaps the most attractive part of Piraeus and have a good selection of restaurants, cafes and bars.

Piraeus is Greece's main port and the largest in Europe and the third largest in the world. Unsurprisingly, it is the hub of Greece's maritime industries and the base for its merchant navy. Having recently undergone a refurbishment, facilities at the port have improved and include ATM's, bureau de change, restaurants, cafes, bars and a number of travel agencies selling ferry tickets. destinations served by the port include the island of Crete, the Cyclades Islands, the Dodecanese Islands, the eastern parts of Greece and parts of the northern and eastern Aegean Sea.

How to get to the port of Piraeus

As the port of Athens is so vast, please be mindful of the gate from which your ferry departs. There is a free shuttle bus service departing every 20 minutes and transports passengers from E7 to gates E1, E2, E3. Passengers can easily reach Piraeus port from Athens city centre by taking Line 1 (Green Line) from Monastiraki station. This journey takes approximately 30 minutes and drops passengers between gates E5 and E6 at the terminal. Metro tickets are available for purchase at any metro station or transport ticket office. Please be mindful that the metro only operates between 06:30 to 23:30 on weekdays and finishes at 01:00 on weekends.

Heraklion Guide

Located on the Greek island of Crete, Heraklion is the island's largest city and is one of the main urban centres in Greece. The city can trace its history back to at least the 9th century AD when its development began and then later came under the influence of the Arabs, the Venetians and the Ottomans. Popular sites in the city with tourists include the fortification walls that are essentially the boundary of the old city. These were first built by the Arabs and then reinforced by the Venetians. From the seven bastions, only the Martinengo bastion survives to this day and is where visitors will find the tomb of the renowned writer N. Kazantzakis, overlooking the city. The city was also a venue during the 2004 Olympic Games, and hosted games of the football tournament.

Located in the city's old port, visitors can still see the vaulted tarsanades where ships used to be built and also the 16th century Koule Fortress. From the port, ferries depart to destinations including Santorini, Ios, Paros, Mykonos and Rhodes. There are also ferry services to the Greek mainland port of Piraeus.