Arriving in Crete by sea can be a scenic and enjoyable alternative to flying. Ferries to Crete connect the island with mainland Greece and other Aegean islands, offering overnight journeys or shorter hops on high-speed vessels. In this guide, we’ll give an overview of ferry options for travelling to Crete, from the ports and routes available to schedules, how to book tickets, and what to expect on board. We’ll cover ferries from mainland Greece (Piraeus/Athens), as well as from other islands (like Santorini, Mykonos, Rhodes), plus some tips for a comfortable ferry journey.
'We're sailing in a strange boat heading for a strange shore carrying the strangest cargo that was ever hauled aboard ⛵️' - Attribution: dullhunkPiraeus to Heraklion
This is a major route, operated year-round by large car ferries. Typically, there are daily overnight ferries by companies like Minoan Lines and Anek Lines, often in partnership with Blue Star Ferries. The journey is about 8-9 hours overnight, ferries usually depart Piraeus around 21:00 (9pm) and arrive at Heraklion around 6:00 (6am). In summer, sometimes an additional daytime high-speed ferry may run, for example, Minoan's highspeed catamaran taking about 6-7 hours for a day trip.
Piraeus to Chania (Souda port)
Also daily year-round overnight service, operated by ANEK/Blue Star and Minoan/Grimaldi. Departs Piraeus around 21:00, arrives at Souda (near Chania) around 05:30-06:00. The voyage takes roughly 8-9 hours. In the high season, occasionally there is a daytime ferry too, but usually just overnight.
Piraeus to Sitia
This service is less frequent, often 2-3 times weekly, usually part of a longer route that continues to or from other islands, for example via Kasos, Karpathos, Rhodes. It’s a long journey, approximately 15 hours since Sitia is far east. For example, Anek’s ferry might depart Piraeus in the afternoon and reach Sitia early next morning.
Piraeus to Rethymno
Currently, there is no direct regular ferry. In the past there have been, but nowadays Rethymno’s port does not have a regular Piraeus ferry. Travellers use the services to Chania or Heraklion and then take a bus to Rethymno.
Peloponnese (Gythio) to Kissamos (West Crete)
There was a summer ferry once weekly connecting to Kythira/Antikythera and Kissamos, but service has been off and on. In 2022 it resumed a bit, operated by Lane Lines. If running, it’s an interesting alternative, but not mainstream for most travellers.
Cyclades to Crete
In summer, there are multiple high-speed catamarans linking Crete with popular Cyclades islands.
Santorini to Heraklion
Frequent daily catamarans operate from mid-April to October. Companies like SeaJets, Minoan's Highspeed, and Golden Star's Supercat provide the service. Travel time is approximately 2 hours. Many people do day trips. Also, slower conventional ferries exist a couple of times a week linking Santorini with Crete as part of a longer route, for example, a Preveli ferry via Santorini to Rethymno, though mainly high-speed catamarans are used.
Mykonos/Naxos/Paros to Heraklion
SeaJets often runs a route connecting Mykonos, Paros, Naxos, Ios, Santorini, and Heraklion daily in summer (using SuperJet or ChampionJet). The journey from Mykonos to Heraklion takes around 4-5 hours.
Cyclades to Chania
Less common. Usually, Cyclades catamarans go to Heraklion since that's more central and touristic. Occasionally, a route might extend to Rethymno or Chania; in some years, SeaJets operated a Milos-Santorini-Rethymno route. There is also a smaller line that weekly links Milos, Santorini, and Heraklion overnight.
Dodecanese to Crete
Rhodes to Crete
Anek's ferry, Prevelis, runs 2-3 times a week on a route that includes Rhodes, Karpathos, Kasos, Sitia, and Heraklion, and vice versa. It takes about 14-15 hours from Rhodes to Heraklion with stops. This option is popular for island-hopping travellers or locals wishing to combine Crete and Rhodes without flying.
Kos to Crete
There is no direct ferry. Typically, travellers go Kos to Santorini to Crete or Kos to Rhodes to Crete if travelling by ferry.
Other Routes
Kythera/Antikythera to Crete
There is a summer ferry from the Peloponnese to Kissamos that stops at Kythera and Antikythera islands. It is ideal for adventurous island hoppers. This service is not daily, running maybe twice a week in peak season.
Sometimes excursion boats connect Crete to tiny isles, for example, from Sfakia to Gavdos or from Ierapetra to Chrissi, but these are day trip oriented rather than a regular means of transport.
Italy to Crete
There is no direct ferry. Travellers generally take a ferry from Italy to Patras or Piraeus and then another ferry to Crete. For example, Minoan Lines operates a service from Trieste (Italy) to Igoumenitsa and Patras, and the same company runs the Piraeus to Heraklion route, though there is no single through service.
Heraklion Port
Located in the city near the fortress Koules. Both conventional and high-speed ferries dock here. It is busy at night with multiple ships. Facilities include a terminal with waiting areas, car rental kiosks, and nearby cafes.
Souda Port (Chania)
Situated 7km east of Chania, ferries such as ANEK's "Eleftherios Venizelos" or Blue Star depart from here. It has a small terminal with a couple of kiosks. Buses are timed with ferry arrivals to take foot passengers to Chania (approximately 15 minutes).
Sitia Port
A small port used by the Prevelis ferry from Rhodes and occasional services. It is within walking distance of the town.
Kissamos Port
A small port at Kastelli-Kissamos, used for the Antikythira/Peloponnese ferry when it operates, and for daily excursion boats to Balos/Gramvousa.
Rethymno Port
Currently used only by some excursion catamarans, such as a small Santorini day trip in summer. It does not serve major regular ferries.
Agios Nikolaos
Occasionally, a charter cruise ship stops here but there are no regular ferry services.
If you need to travel between ports and cities, bus or taxi services are available. For instance, the bus from Souda to Chania costs around €1.50, and from Heraklion port to the city centre it is a short 10-minute walk.
Taking an overnight ferry (Piraeus to Heraklion/Chania) is common. You can book various types of accommodation:
Deck/Economy
The cheapest option, with no assigned seat or cabin. You can sit in lounges or on outside decks. Many passengers bring sleeping bags or occupy couch corners. This is ideal in summer if you do not mind roughing it, costing approximately €30-40 one-way.
Airplane-style Seat
A reserved reclining seat in a quiet lounge. This is a good middle option costing around €50-60.
Cabin
Resembling a small hotel room with bunk beds, cabins come in 2-berth or 4-berth options (either private or as a bed in a shared cabin of the same sex). Cabins typically have an ensuite bathroom. Prices vary depending on the number of berths and whether the cabin is private or shared. For example, a 4-berth shared cabin might cost about €70 per bed, while a double private cabin is approximately €150 total. Many travellers splurge for a cabin to ensure comfort, sleep well, and arrive rested.
On board, there are restaurants (self-service and à la carte), cafes, and bars. Food quality is decent but not inexpensive, similar to airline prices. Often, there is a deck bar open on summer nights, offering a lovely chance to enjoy a beer under the stars while leaving Piraeus and watching the city lights recede.
These ferries also carry vehicles; if you are planning a road trip through Greece, you can bring your car to Crete on the ferry (for an extra cost). Arriving early in the morning, you can often remain in your cabin until docking or just before arrival. Announcements are made, and if you are on deck, lounges might be cleared shortly before arrival. Disembarking is usually rapid as foot passengers simply walk off, and buses or taxis are available at the port.
High-speed catamarans are faster passenger ferries that sometimes also carry vehicles. Examples include SeaJets' WorldChampion Jet, Minoan's Santorini Palace, and Golden Star's Superrunner. They offer only airline-style seating (economy and business classes) and can be prone to motion sickness on windy days, as they travel fast (around 35-40 knots, making for a bumpy ride in rough seas, so take appropriate medication if needed). Although they are more expensive per distance than large overnight ferries, their main benefit is saving time. For instance, one can leave Santorini at 17:00 and arrive at Heraklion by 19:00, instead of taking an overnight service. However, high-speed services are more likely to be cancelled in very bad weather, even though summer Aegean weather is generally fine. If booking a highspeed, travel light as storage space for large suitcases is limited.
You can book tickets online via each ferry company’s website (ANEK, Blue Star, Minoan, SeaJets, etc.) or through aggregator sites that may charge a small fee. Aggregator sites can be convenient for planning island hopping as they display multiple companies. In the high season, it is wise to book overnight ferries a few days in advance, especially if you require a cabin or are travelling with a car, as these options can sell out quickly. For high-speed catamarans, which have limited seating, booking ahead during July and August or on specific dates is recommended since they can sell out. Tickets are usually issued as e-tickets, though some services may require printing while others allow a mobile boarding pass. Alternatively, tickets can be picked up at a port kiosk using a reservation code, and it is advised to do so at least one hour before departure as queues can form. Travellers in Athens a day before can also purchase tickets at Piraeus port or through local travel agents, although online booking is typically simpler. Discounts are often available, such as student or child discounts, and sometimes early booking discounts for cabins. In some cases, bonus miles from airline programmes can be used for ferry ticket discounts.
'Piraeus Panorama' - Attribution: 35mmManBring a light jacket or sweater as, even in summer, the air conditioning on board can be chilly at night.
Pack earplugs and an eye mask if you plan to sleep in a deck lounge area or cabin to help you hear early announcements.
If you are prone to seasickness, choose a cabin located low and centre on the ship (experiencing less motion) or sit midship on a catamaran. It is advisable to take motion sickness medicine about 30 minutes before departure, especially on faster services.
Enjoy the journey! Overnight ferries provide beautiful sunsets and sunrises at sea, and high-speed services during the day offer a unique perspective of the islands from the water. For example, on the Heraklion-Piraeus 21:00 ferry, watch as the lights of Athens fade and the dawn illuminates Koules fortress in Heraklion. It is quite enchanting.
If arriving early in the morning (around 5-6am), note that coffee shops may just be opening and hotels might not allow check-in until later, although you can usually drop off your luggage. It can be pleasant to wander a quiet city or enjoy an early bougatsa pastry while watching the city awaken.
Some travellers prefer the overnight ferry to avoid wasting daytime travelling, as sleeping on board can be cost-effective compared to paying for a hotel night and a flight. Others opt for the short flight (approximately 1 hour versus 8 hours). It ultimately comes down to personal preference. Additionally, consider the carbon footprint of your journey, as ferries, with their large capacities, might be slightly greener per capita than planes, even though they consume significant fuel. Furthermore, ferries generally have more lenient luggage policies, allowing you to bring as much as your cabin can accommodate.
If you need to connect from the port, local transport options are available. For instance, from Heraklion port, it is a short walk (about 5-10 minutes) to the bus station, or you can catch a taxi for a quick ride to your hotel (around €7-€10). At Souda port, buses are timed with ferry arrivals to take passengers to the Chania bus station, costing around €2. Additionally, if you have a rental car booked in Crete, many agencies allow you to pick up your vehicle directly at the port, which is particularly convenient if you wish to drive straight to your destination.
In summary, ferries to Crete are plentiful and comfortable, especially if you take advantage of cabins on overnight routes. They offer a more leisurely approach to reaching the island, with a touch of romance and nostalgia for sea travel. Whether you are island-hopping or travelling from Athens, stepping off a ship onto Crete can feel poetic, much like Odysseus arriving on a storied land. Just plan your schedule, book the right class, and enjoy the voyage. Καλό ταξίδι με το πλοίο! (Kaló taxídi me to plío, have a good journey by ship!)