Ferry from Athens to Crete (Heraklio)

Planning is the key to traveling by ferry from Athens to Crete (Heraklio) like a pro! Keep reading to discover the best ferry services from Athens to Heraklio, availability, ferry schedules, connections, travel tips, prices and many more. Here we go!

Ferries from Athens to Crete (Heraklio) operate daily throughout the year, even during the low season. A ferry ticket from Athens to Crete (Heraklio) costs about 30 euros for a standard seat and about 160 euros for a bed cabin.

There are daily ferries from Piraeus to Heraklio all year round. More specifically, there are usually 2 evening ferry connections between Piraeus and Heraklio in the low season. In the peak season, there are also morning ferries to Heraklion that depart from Piraeus from 11.00 in the morning.

Due to the distance between Athens and Heraklio, the only type of ferry that serves the route is the conventional ferry. The ferry companies that connect Athens to Heraklio are Anek Lines, Minoan Lines, and Aegeon Pelagos.

The duration of the trip from Athens to Crete (Heraklio) is 8-16 hours, depending on the ferry company you’re traveling with. More specifically, Anek Lines and Minoan Lines will get you to Heraklio in 8-9 hours and Aegeon Pelagos in about 16 hours.

• Since the distance between Athens and Crete (Heraklio) is quite long and the ferries depart at night, we recommend booking a bed cabin for a more comfortable trip.
• The best way to plan your trip from Athens to Crete (Heraklio) is to book your ferry tickets in advance, as Greek ferries may be fully booked, especially in July and August. This also applies to ferry tickets from Heraklio to Athens.
• Some ferry companies offer the option of a pet-in-cabin, so that you can enjoy the trip with your pet.