4.9
4.6The cheapest and fastest ferries from Athens to Crete (Island)
Cheapest price
£37
Average price
£52
Fastest journey
8 h
Average duration
8 h 33 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 £52 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap ferry tickets today for only £37.
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 Sat 11 Jul the direct ferries cover the 320 km distance in an average of 8 h 33 m but if you time it right, some ferries will get you there in just 8 h .
The slowest ferries will take 9 h 30 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.
NISSOS RODOS9:008h45Port of Piraeus17:45Heraklion Port£371One-way0 changes- ASTERION II21:009h50Port of Piraeus6:50Heraklion Port£371One-way0 changes
KNOSSOS PALACE21:009h30Port of Piraeus6:30Heraklion Port£391One-way0 changes- KISSAMOS22:008h15Port of Piraeus6:15Port of Souda£471One-way0 changes
- ELYROS10:008h00Port of Piraeus18:00Port of Souda£471One-way0 changes
- ELYROS10:008h00Port of Piraeus18:00Port of Souda£471One-way0 changes
- KISSAMOS22:008h15Port of Piraeus6:15Port of Souda£471One-way0 changes
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE JET 19:308h15Port of Piraeus17:45Heraklion Port£1051One-way0 changes- NISSOS RODOS9:008h45Port of Piraeus17:45Heraklion Port£371One-way0 changes
- KNOSSOS PALACE21:009h30Port of Piraeus6:30Heraklion Port£391One-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 £20. 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 £20, and a flight costs an average of £42.
Distance: 172 nautical miles (320 km)
Compare ferry with
Most popular Ferry | Flight |
|---|---|
£31 Average Price Cheapest | £78 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 Blue Star Ferries | Departure Time 22:00 | Arrival Time 07:25 | Duration 9h25 | Sailing Days Everyday |
Operator Blue Star Ferries | Departure Time 10:00 | Arrival Time 18:00 | Duration 8h00 | Sailing Days Mon, Sat, Sun |
Operator Minoan Lines (Greece domestic) | Departure Time 09:30 | Arrival Time 18:45 | Duration 9h15 | Sailing Days Wed, Sun |
Operator Seajets | Departure Time 13:15 | Arrival Time 23:50 | Duration 10h35 | Sailing Days Thu |
Operator Minoan Lines (Greece domestic) | Departure Time 21:00 | Arrival Time 06:30 | Duration 9h30 | Sailing Days Everyday |
Operator Blue Star Ferries | Departure Time 17:00 | Arrival Time 04:20 | Duration 11h20 | Sailing Days Fri |
Operator Blue Star Ferries | Departure Time 09:00 | Arrival Time 17:45 | Duration 8h45 | Sailing Days Thu, Sat |
Operator Blue Star Ferries | Departure Time 15:00 | Arrival Time 05:00 | Duration 14h00 | Sailing Days Wed |
Operator Blue Star Ferries | Departure Time 21:00 | Arrival Time 06:50 | Duration 9h50 | Sailing Days Everyday |
Operator Seajets | Departure Time 09:30 | Arrival Time 17:20 | Duration 7h50 | Sailing Days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun |
Live departures
Athens to Crete (Island) ferry times
The table below shows live departures for Athens to Crete (Island) ferries for today, Friday 10 July. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated ferry journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FESTOS PALACE | 21:00 Port of Piraeus | 9h30 | 6:30 Heraklion Port | 0 changesdirect | |
| ASTERION II | 21:00 Port of Piraeus | 9h50 | 6:50 Heraklion Port | 0 changesdirect | |
| KISSAMOS | 22:00 Port of Piraeus | 9h25 | 7:25 Port of Souda | 0 changesdirect | |
| Saturday 11 July | |||||
| NISSOS RODOS | 9:00 Port of Piraeus | 8h45 | 17:45 Heraklion Port | 0 changesdirect | |
| CHAMPIONS LEAGUE JET 1 | 9:30 Port of Piraeus | 8h15 | 17:45 Heraklion Port | 0 changesdirect | |
| ELYROS | 10:00 Port of Piraeus | 8h00 | 18:00 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.
10 Jul
11 Jul
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13 Jul
14 Jul
15 Jul
16 Jul
17 Jul
18 Jul
19 Jul
20 Jul
21 Jul
22 Jul
23 Jul
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25 Jul
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27 Jul
28 Jul
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30 Jul
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)
GreeceGreece
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 £20 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 £20 |
Ferries per day 5 |
Direct ferries Available |
Average weekly sailings 33 |
Fastest ferry 7h 55m |
First ferry 0:20 |
Last ferry 23:45 |
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 £20. 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
Most popular ferries to and from Crete (Island) and Athens
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