- Must visit
Heraklion Archaeological Museum
Major museum in nearby Heraklion with Minoan masterpieces from across Crete, including objects from Malia and other palace sites.
The best way to find a cheap ferry ticket from Athens to Malia is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Athens to Malia will cost around $40 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $40.
On Mon, Nov 02, we found 1 ferries from Athens to Malia, including 1 direct services.
On Mon, Nov 02 the direct ferries cover the 338 km distance in an average of 9 h 15 m but if you time it right, some ferries will get you there in just 9 h 15 m .
On Mon, Nov 02 the slowest ferries will take 9 h 15 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.

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Ferries from Athens to Malia run on average 4 times per day, taking around 9h 28m. Cheap ferry tickets for this journey start at $40 if you book in advance.
There are 4 ferries per day. The earliest ferry runs at 01:15, the last at 23:45. The fastest ferry covers the 182 nautical miles (338 km) distance in 7h 50m. There are 1 sailings per week. Ferries from Athens to Malia are available to foot passengers.



Plan this route
Use these quick route answers to check fares, travel time, departure options, and direct services before booking from Athens to Malia.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Sailing Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Minoan Lines (Greece domestic) | Departure Time 06:30AM | Arrival Time 03:45PM | Duration 9h15 | Sailing Days Wed, Sat |
Operator Blue Star Ferries | Departure Time 06:00PM | Arrival Time 03:50AM | Duration 9h50 | Sailing Days Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat |
Operator Blue Star Ferries | Departure Time 09:00PM | Arrival Time 06:50AM | Duration 9h50 | Sailing Days Sat |
Operator Minoan Lines (Greece domestic) | Departure Time 07:00PM | Arrival Time 04:30AM | Duration 9h30 | Sailing Days Wed |
Operator Blue Star Ferries | Departure Time 07:00PM | Arrival Time 04:15AM | Duration 9h15 | Sailing Days Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun |
The table below shows live departures for Athens to Malia ferries for today, Sunday, November 1. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated ferry journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 7:00 PM Athens | 9h15 | 4:15 AM Malia | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last ferry of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey

Ferries from Athens to Malia with Blue Star Ferries, Minoan Lines (Greece domestic), and Seajets. Cars can travel on this route with Blue Star Ferries, Minoan Lines (Greece domestic), and Seajets. Use the details below to compare onboard facilities.
Review the details behind your booking, from operators and ticket rules to luggage, onboard amenities, accessibility, and route-specific travel policies.
Discover the best of Malia — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Malia trip today.
Major museum in nearby Heraklion with Minoan masterpieces from across Crete, including objects from Malia and other palace sites.
Open-air museum near Hersonissos showing traditional Cretan village life through restored houses, workshops, and local crafts displays.
Compact local museum presenting finds from the Malia area and nearby excavations, useful for context before or after the palace site.
Traditional quarter with stone houses, small churches, and narrow alleys. Best area in Malia for a slower walk and local village atmosphere.
Long sandy beach backed by a promenade and resort facilities. Popular for walking, swimming, and sunset views along the coast.
Quieter coastal stretch east of town with clear water and a more relaxed feel than the main beach, good for a scenic seaside walk.
Dakos is a Cretan barley rusk topped with tomato, mizithra or feta, olive oil, and oregano. It is a staple meze that highlights local olive oil and cheese.
Gamopilafo is a creamy Cretan rice dish cooked in rich meat broth, often with goat or lamb and butter. It is served at weddings and major family celebrations.
Antikristo is lamb slowly roasted around an open fire with salt only. This mountain shepherd style is one of Crete’s most distinctive traditional meat dishes.
Established local taverna with grilled meats, meze, and classic Greek comfort food in a friendly casual setting.
Traditional taverna in Old Malia known for Cretan and Greek dishes in a relaxed courtyard setting.
Well-known restaurant in Old Malia serving Cretan and Mediterranean food with a romantic garden atmosphere.
Moderate for Crete resort areas: rooms rise in summer, but tavernas, gyros, buses, and coffee stay fairly reasonable versus pricier Greek islands.
Service may be included, but rounding up or leaving 5-10% is appreciated in restaurants. Taxis are usually rounded up. Small change is fine in cafes.
Get destination-focused answers for the end of your trip, including what to do, when to go, practical entry details, and tips for making the most of your time in Malia.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Athens to Malia by ferry. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest ferry, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Malia, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Athens to Malia ferries use the Port of Piraeus to port pair. Use this guide to compare Athens and Malia ports on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like port facilities and services.
Port of Piraeus has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Kebab & Curry Indian Restaurant (0.3km), To Steki tou Ilia (0.5km), Rouan Thai (0.7km)
Free WiFi. ATMs are available in passenger terminals.
Ticket office support is available at Port of Piraeus.
Available at Port of Piraeus: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Port of Piraeus.