- Must visit
Heraklion Archaeological Museum
Major regional museum in nearby Heraklion with Minoan masterpieces from across Crete, including artefacts from Malia.
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 travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Athens to Malia will cost around £40 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap ferry tickets today for only £40.
On Sun 01 Nov, we found 1 ferries from Athens to Malia, including 1 direct services.
On Sun 01 Nov 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 .
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 £29 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.



Distance 182 nautical miles (338 km) |
Average sailing duration 9h 28m |
Cheapest ticket price £29 |
Ferries per day 4 |
Direct ferries Available |
Average weekly sailings 1 |
Fastest ferry 7h 50m |
First ferry 1:15 |
Last ferry 23:45 |
Cabins Available |
Vehicles Available |
Foot passengers Available |
Cheapest Month Dec |
Cheapest Day Mon |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Sat |
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 19:00 | Arrival time 04:30 | Duration 9h30 | Sailing Days wed |
Operator Minoan Lines (Greece domestic) | Departure Time 06:30 | Arrival time 15:45 | Duration 9h15 | Sailing Days wed, sat |
Operator Blue Star Ferries | Departure Time 19:00 | Arrival time 04:50 | Duration 9h50 | Sailing Days mon, tue, thu, fri, sat, sun |
Operator Blue Star Ferries | Departure Time 18:00 | Arrival time 03:50 | Duration 9h50 | Sailing Days wed, thu, fri, sat |
Operator Blue Star Ferries | Departure Time 21:00 | Arrival time 06:50 | Duration 9h50 | Sailing Days sat |
The table below shows live departures for Athens to Malia ferries for tomorrow, Sunday 1 November. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated ferry journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 19:00 Athens | 9h15 | 4:15 Malia | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last ferry of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
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 regional museum in nearby Heraklion with Minoan masterpieces from across Crete, including artefacts from Malia.
Site museum beside the Minoan palace displaying finds from the excavations, useful for adding context before or after the ruins.
Open-air museum in Lychnostatis presenting Cretan folk life, crafts and traditional buildings in a landscaped coastal setting.
The old quarter of Malia has stone houses, narrow lanes and small squares, offering a more traditional side of the town.
Long sandy beach with clear water and easy access, popular for swimming, walking and broad views along the bay.
Quieter beach area east of town near the archaeological site, appreciated for a more relaxed atmosphere and open shoreline.
Dakos is a Cretan barley rusk topped with tomato, mizithra or feta, olive oil and oregano. It is a classic island meze and showcases local produce.
Gamopilafo is a rich Cretan rice dish cooked in meat broth, usually with goat or lamb and butter. It is traditional at weddings and festive family meals.
Antikristo is lamb slow-roasted around an open fire with salt only. It is one of Crete’s most famous mountain cooking traditions.
Established taverna known for Cretan and Greek classics, grilled meats and seafood in a relaxed traditional setting in Malia old town.
Popular casual Greek restaurant serving souvlaki, meze and familiar local dishes. Friendly atmosphere suited to an easy meal near the centre.
Well-known seafood and Greek dining spot with a broad menu, including fish and Cretan favourites, in a polished but approachable setting.
Moderate for Crete resorts: rooms rise in summer, but tavernas, coffee and local buses stay fairly reasonable for holidaymakers.
Service is often included or informal. Round up in cafés and taxis, and tip about 5-10% in restaurants for good service.
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.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need