In brief, you can travel from Santorini to Heraklion (Crete) with a high-speed/catamaran ferry or a conventional ferry. Itineraries between the two islands start around late March and are available until October.
Ferries depart from Athinios port in Santorini and reach the port of Heraklion.
The trip duration starts from less than 2 hours but can reach 6 hours and 20 minutes. Tickets can cost from '16' 'EUR'(16 Euros) to '95.7' 'EUR'(95.7 Euros) for a standard seat, depending on the company and type of vessel. Business class/VIP seats can also be booked for an additional cost.
Disclaimer: The information provided below is based on previous years' data. To find the exact routes for your dates, please refer to our booking engine.
At least 3 routes from Santorini to Heraklion are scheduled daily during the high season, but, overall, itineraries start in late March and stop in October.
The first ferry departs from Santorini at 14:55, 15:15, or 16:00 (that depends on the day) and the last one at 17:35, but once a week a Blue Star conventional ferry leaves at 01:00.
Indicative Ferry Routes from Santorini to Crete (Heraklion)*
Both high-speed/catamaran vessels and conventional ferries travel from Santorini to Heraklion. Seajets, Fast Ferries, Minoan Lines and Horizon Sea Lines are the companies that own high-speed/catamaran ferries that operate the route, while Blue Star and Aegeon Pelagos own the conventional ferries that take passengers (and vehicles) from one island to the other. High-speed ferries are smaller and, consequently, faster.
Conventional ferries are larger and slower, yet offer cheaper tickets.
Distance & Duration of the trip
The distance between Santorini and Heraklion is 63 nautical miles (72 miles or 120 km).
The duration of the ferry trip is approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes for high-speed/catamaran vessels. On the other hand, conventional ferries need about 3 hours to reach Heraklion.
The fastest ferry is Power Jet by Seajets.
Prices & Tickets
Ticket prices range from '16' 'EUR'(16 Euros) to '129.7' 'EUR'(129.7 Euros).
If you choose to travel with a conventional ferry, you can book a ticket for as little as '16' 'EUR'(16 Euros). Regarding high-speed ferries, a one-way ticket starts from '78' 'EUR'(78 Euros) . Business class/VIP seats can cost from '100' 'EUR'(100 Euros) to '129.7' 'EUR'(129.7 Euros).
Ferry companies usually offer discounts (25% to 50%) to some categories of passengers. Groups who are eligible for reduced-priced tickets include passengers with disabilities, ISIC cardholders, families with 3+ children, infants and children up to 10 years old. In order to get a discount, individuals have to show the relevant documents.
On FerriesinGreece, you can search for all available ferry schedules and timetables, compare ferry boats, companies and prices, create your itinerary, and book your ferry tickets in 4 easy steps on our secure server.
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High-speed ferries:
High-speed vessels offer two types of seats; standard airline seats and business-VIP seats. Both types correspond to numbered seats, so after booking your ticket, you will have a specific seat reserved for you. Standard airline seats are cheaper, while business seats are more deluxe.
Conventional ferries:
Conventional ferries offer an extra type of seat - the standard economy seat. Holders of such tickets can either sit on the deck or in one of the special lounges within the ferry. This type of seat is highly preferred since it is the most affordable option. However, these seats are not numbered, so even after booking a ticket, you do not secure a specific seat on the vessel. To find a comfortable place to sit during the crossing, it is recommended to board the ferry as early as possible.
How to find your ferry in the port of Santorini (Athinios)
Athinios port is located on the west side of the island, around 10 km from Fira, the capital town of Santorini. It is a relatively small port that welcomes all passenger ferries that arrive at the island.
Find more info, photos, and a map of Athinios port. The port of Heraklion is located in Heraklion Town. All passenger ferries arrive at the western part of the port (Piers I & II).
Do you need a transfer in Santorini? We got you covered! Check out our Transfer service!
Luggage
Greek ferry companies do not have strict luggage policies.
More particularly, each ticketholder is allowed to carry up to 40 kg or 0.5 cubic meters of luggage. Every craft has a designated area for passengers' bulky objects. Alternatively, you can keep your luggage next to you on board.
We recommend taking your personal items ( i.e. wallet, mobile phone, keys) on board and leaving bulky suitcases in the designated area.
Traveling with a car
Most ferries have a garage, allowing you to take your car or motorbike with you to Heraklion, after purchasing a special ticket for your vehicle. High-speed/catamaran ferries have a limited vehicle capacity and car/moto tickets usually sell out quickly. Therefore, booking your vehicle’s ticket as early as possible is recommended.
Moreover, remember that you have to be at the port at least 60 minutes before the ferry departure.
After parking in the garage, the crew will ask you to exit your vehicle. For as long as the crossing lasts, you will not be allowed to enter the garage area.
Alternative ways to reach Heraklion
Heraklion and Santorini boast an international airport each. However, there are no direct flights between the two destinations.
Nonetheless, many direct flights to the International Airport of Mykonos are available from several cities abroad during summer. Thus, you can fly to Mykonos and then take a ferry to Heraklion. Ferry itineraries between Mykonos and Heraklion are frequent, with 2 ferries departing from Tourlos (the New Port of Mykonos) every day during the high season.
Another option is to take a flight to the International Airport of Athens and then board a ferry to Heraklion from Athens-Piraeus.
Alternatively, you can book a second flight and fly directly to Heraklion from Athens International Airport.
About Heraklion
The venetian port of Heraklion town
Heraklion is the largest city in Crete. It houses the central services and is the commercial center of the island, with the largest port and airport. The impressive archaeological site of Knossos is just a-15-minute drive from the port. We have gathered the best things to see & do in the area in a mini-guide for Heraklion.
Where to go next?
After discovering the beauties and points of interest of Heraklion, consider visiting one of the most famous islands of Greece - Mykonos. The queen of parties combines entertainment and luxurious hotels with seductive beaches and Cycladic architecture, enchanting its guests. There is a direct Santorini - Mykonos ferry route.
If Mykonos is too much for your tastes, Paros and Naxos are ideal alternatives, as they are lively islands with nightlife options but not as intense as Mykonos’. If you are looking for a completely peaceful and relaxed environment, consider the colorful Milos or the classy Syros.
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