The cheapest and fastest ferries from Athens to Crete (Island)
Cheapest price
63S$
Average price
77S$
Fastest journey
8 h 15 m
Average duration
9 h 31 m
Ferries per day
6
Distance
320 km
The best way to find a cheap ferry ticket from Athens to Crete (Island) is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Athens to Crete (Island) will cost around 77S$ if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap ferry tickets today for only 63S$.
Of the 6 ferries that leave Athens for Crete (Island) every day 6 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Fri, 14 Aug the direct ferries cover the 320 km distance in an average of 9 h 31 m but if you time it right, some ferries will get you there in just 8 h 15 m .
The slowest ferries will take 11 h 20 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.
KNOSSOS PALACE9:30 AM9h15Port of Piraeus6:45 PMHeraklion Port63 S$1One-way0 changes
NISSOS RODOS9:00 PM9h15Port of Piraeus6:15 AMHeraklion Port64 S$1One-way0 changes
FESTOS PALACE9:00 PM9h30Port of Piraeus6:30 AMHeraklion Port69 S$1One-way0 changes
ELYROS10:00 PM8h15Port of Piraeus6:15 AMPort of Souda83 S$1One-way0 changes
BLUE STAR CHIOS6:30 PM14h45Port of Piraeus9:15 AMSitia93 S$1One-way0 changes
ELYROS10:00 PM8h15Port of Piraeus6:15 AMPort of Souda83 S$1One-way0 changes
NISSOS RODOS9:00 PM9h15Port of Piraeus6:15 AMHeraklion Port64 S$1One-way0 changes
KNOSSOS PALACE9:30 AM9h15Port of Piraeus6:45 PMHeraklion Port63 S$1One-way0 changes
FESTOS PALACE9:00 PM9h30Port of Piraeus6:30 AMHeraklion Port69 S$1One-way0 changes
BLUE STAR CHIOS6:30 PM11h20Port of Piraeus5:50 AMHeraklion Port93 S$1One-way0 changes
Travel Information
Compare ferry and flight for Athens to Crete (Island)
Omio recommends booking the ferry as it is the most popular option from Athens to Crete (Island) among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the ferry with prices starting from 35S$. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 57m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the ferry is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.2kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a ferry costs an average of 35S$, and a flight costs an average of 73S$.
Distance: 172 nautical miles (320 km)
Compare ferry with
Most popular Ferry | Flight |
|---|---|
55S$ Average Price Cheapest | 137S$ Average Price |
9h 53m Average total duration 8h 53m Onboard + 1h 0m Additional time* | 3h 57m Average total duration Fastest 57m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 1.0 - 1.9kg CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular ferry company | ![]() Most popular airline |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Athens to Crete (Island) Ferry Timetables
| 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 |
Operator Minoan Lines (Greece domestic) | Departure Time 09:30AM | Arrival Time 06:45PM | Duration 9h15 | Sailing Days Thu, Fri, Sun |
Operator Seajets | Departure Time 01:15PM | Arrival Time 11:50PM | Duration 10h35 | Sailing Days Thu |
Operator Blue Star Ferries | Departure Time 10:00AM | Arrival Time 06:00PM | Duration 8h00 | Sailing Days Thu, Sun |
Operator Blue Star Ferries | Departure Time 09:00AM | Arrival Time 05:45PM | Duration 8h45 | Sailing Days Sun |
Operator Blue Star Ferries | Departure Time 06:00PM | Arrival Time 03:50AM | Duration 9h50 | Sailing Days Wed |
Operator Seajets | Departure Time 09:30AM | Arrival Time 05:20PM | Duration 7h50 | Sailing Days Mon, Thu, Sat, Sun |
Operator Seajets | Departure Time 08:00AM | Arrival Time 06:15PM | Duration 10h15 | Sailing Days Tue |
Operator Blue Star Ferries | Departure Time 11:00AM | Arrival Time 07:45PM | Duration 8h45 | Sailing Days Thu |
Operator Blue Star Ferries | Departure Time 06:30PM | Arrival Time 09:15AM | Duration 14h45 | Sailing Days Fri |
Operator Seajets | Departure Time 09:00PM | Arrival Time 07:50AM | Duration 10h50 | Sailing Days Wed |
Operator Blue Star Ferries | Departure Time 10:00PM | Arrival Time 06:15AM | Duration 8h15 | Sailing Days Mon, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun |
Operator Blue Star Ferries | Departure Time 09:00PM | Arrival Time 06:15AM | Duration 9h15 | Sailing Days Mon, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun |
Operator Seajets | Departure Time 07:00AM | Arrival Time 05:15PM | Duration 10h15 | Sailing Days Tue |
Operator Blue Star Ferries | Departure Time 07:00PM | Arrival Time 04:15AM | Duration 9h15 | Sailing Days Tue, Wed |
Operator Seajets | Departure Time 11:00AM | Arrival Time 09:15PM | Duration 10h15 | Sailing Days Tue |
Operator Minoan Lines (Greece domestic) | Departure Time 09:00PM | Arrival Time 06:30AM | Duration 9h30 | Sailing Days Mon, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun |
Live departures
Athens to Crete (Island) ferry times
The table below shows live departures for Athens to Crete (Island) ferries for tomorrow, Friday, 14 August. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated ferry journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
KNOSSOS PALACE | 9:30 AM Port of Piraeus | 9h15 | 6:45 PM Heraklion Port | 0 changesdirect | |
BLUE STAR CHIOS | 6:30 PM Port of Piraeus | 14h45 | 9:15 AM Sitia | 0 changesdirect | |
BLUE STAR CHIOS | 6:30 PM Port of Piraeus | 11h20 | 5:50 AM Heraklion Port | 0 changesdirect | |
FESTOS PALACE | 9:00 PM Port of Piraeus | 9h30 | 6:30 AM Heraklion Port | 0 changesdirect | |
NISSOS RODOS | 9:00 PM Port of Piraeus | 9h15 | 6:15 AM Heraklion Port | 0 changesdirect | |
ELYROS | 10:00 PM Port of Piraeus | 8h15 | 6:15 AM Port of Souda | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last ferry of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Athens to Crete (Island) by ferry or flight
Compare ferry and flight prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
14 Aug
15 Aug
16 Aug
17 Aug
18 Aug
19 Aug
20 Aug
21 Aug
22 Aug
23 Aug
24 Aug
25 Aug
26 Aug
27 Aug
28 Aug
29 Aug
30 Aug
31 Aug
01 Sept
02 Sept
03 Sept
Why should you book Athens to Crete (Island) ferries with Omio?
Why book with Omio vs Blue Star Ferries?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for Blue Star Ferries, but also compare tickets for the likes of Minoan Lines (Greece domestic), Seajets, Anek - Superfast or Fast Ferries to find the best option for your trip from Athens to Crete (Island).
- Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
- Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare Blue Star Ferries with all available travel options, which are ferry and flight to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Athens to Crete (Island).
Why book with Omio over Ferryhopper, Directferries or Rome2rio?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can also compare tickets for the likes of Minoan Lines (Greece domestic), Seajets, Anek - Superfast or Fast Ferries to find the best option for your trip from Athens to Crete (Island).
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including ferry and flight to find the ideal travel option from Athens to Crete (Island).
How far in advance should I book ferry tickets from Athens to Crete (Island)?
Journey information
Overview: Ferry from Athens to Crete (Island)
Ferries from Athens to Crete (Island) run on average 5 times per day, taking around 8h 53m. Cheap ferry tickets for this journey start at 35S$ if you book in advance.
There are 5 ferries per day. The earliest ferry runs at 00:20, the last at 23:45. The fastest ferry covers the 172 nautical miles (320 km) distance in 7h 55m. There are 33 sailings per week. Ferries from Athens to Crete (Island) are available to foot passengers.






Distance 172 nautical miles (320 km) |
Average sailing duration 8h 53m |
Cheapest ticket price 35S$ |
Ferries per day 5 |
Direct ferries Available |
Average weekly sailings 33 |
Fastest ferry 7h 55m |
First ferry 12:20 AM |
Last ferry 11:45 PM |
Cabins Available |
Vehicles Available |
Foot passengers Available |
Cheapest Month Feb |
Cheapest Day Fri |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Best time to book 42 days |
Ferry operators: Blue Star Ferries, Minoan Lines (Greece domestic), Seajets, Anek - Superfast, Fast Ferries, Golden Star Ferries from Athens to Crete (Island)You can travel by ferry between Athens to Crete (Island) with Blue Star Ferries, Minoan Lines (Greece domestic), Seajets, Anek - Superfast, Fast Ferries, Golden Star Ferries for as low as 35S$. When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey.
Blue Star Ferries
Minoan Lines (Greece domestic)
Seajets
Anek - Superfast
Golden Star Ferries
Fast Ferries
FAQs: Athens to Crete (Island) ferries
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Athens to Crete (Island) 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 Crete (Island), this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

popular ferry ports
Important Stations and Airports in Athens and Crete (Island)
Most Athens to Crete (Island) ferries use the Port of Piraeus to Heraklion Port port pair, with some services arriving at Port of Souda (Chania). Use this guide to compare Athens and Crete (Island) ports on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like port facilities and services.
Which Athens port do ferries to Crete (Island) leave from?
Getting to Port of Piraeus from Athens city centre
Port of Piraeus 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 and drink
Food options include: Kebab & Curry Indian Restaurant (0.3km), To Steki tou Ilia (0.5km), Rouan Thai (0.7km)
Wi-Fi and ATMs
Free WiFi. ATMs are available in passenger terminals.
Tickets and information
Ticket office support is available at Port of Piraeus.
Parking, taxis and toilets
Available at Port of Piraeus: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility
Accessibility facilities are available at Port of Piraeus.
Which Crete (Island) port do ferries from Athens arrive at?
Getting to Heraklion Port from Crete city centre
Heraklion Port is 32 km from Crete city centre. Public transport options include:
Heraklion Port port facilities and services
Heraklion Port has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC and Ticket Office.
Food and drink
Food options include: Kouzina EPE (0.3km), Paralia Seaside Restaurant (0.5km), Ligo Krasi Ligo Thalassa (0.6km)
Wi-Fi and ATMs
Free WiFi. ATMs are available inside the terminal.
Tickets and information
Ticket office support is available at Heraklion Port.
Parking, taxis and toilets
Available at Heraklion Port: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility
Accessibility facilities are available at Heraklion Port.
Getting to Port of Souda (Chania) from Crete city centre
Getting to Kissamos from Crete city centre
Kissamos is 3 km from Crete city centre. Public transport options include:
Kissamos port facilities and services
Kissamos has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC and Ticket Office.
Food and drink
Food options include: Pixida (0.3km), The Cellar Tavern (0.4km), Aretousa (0.5km)
Wi-Fi and ATMs
Free WiFi. ATMs are located near the main entrance.
Tickets and information
Ticket office support is available at Kissamos.
Parking, taxis and toilets
Available at Kissamos: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility
Accessibility facilities are available at Kissamos.
More options for your journey from Athens to Crete (Island)
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need

