- Must visit
Heraklion Archaeological Museum
Leading museum for Minoan and Cretan antiquities, with masterworks from Knossos and clear displays spanning prehistoric to Roman Crete.
Cheapest price on 05 Sept
£37
Average ticket price on 05 Sept
£50
Fastest journey on 05 Sept
7 h 50 m
Average journey duration on 05 Sept
8 h 55 m
Ferries on 05 Sept
5
Distance
321 km
The best way to find a cheap ferry ticket from Piraeus to Heraklion is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Piraeus to Heraklion will cost around £50 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap ferry tickets today for only £37.
On Sat 05 Sept, we found 5 ferries from Piraeus to Heraklion, including 5 direct services.
On Sat 05 Sept the direct ferries cover the 321 km distance in an average of 8 h 55 m but if you time it right, some ferries will get you there in just 7 h 50 m .
The slowest ferries will take 9 h 50 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 RODOS
KNOSSOS PALACE
KISSAMOS
ELYROS
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE JET 1
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE JET 1
ELYROS
KISSAMOS
KNOSSOS PALACE
NISSOS RODOSOmio recommends booking the ferry as it is the most popular option from Piraeus to Heraklion among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the ferry, with an average ticket price of £37 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 2h 55m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a ferry costs an average of £37, while a flight costs an average of £45.
Distance: 173 nautical miles (321 km)
Most popular Ferry | Flight |
|---|---|
£37 Average Price Cheapest | £45 Average Price |
9h 55m Average total duration 8h 55m Onboard + 1h 0m Additional time* | 2h 55m Average total duration Fastest 55m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* |
![]() Most popular ferry company | ![]() Most popular airline |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Piraeus to Heraklion:
A ferry is £7 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Piraeus to Heraklion costing on average £45.
Other travel options to Heraklion take longer:
Ferry takes on average 8h 55m.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Sailing Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Blue Star Ferries | Departure Time 22:00 | Arrival Time 07:25 | Duration 9h25 | Sailing Days Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat |
Operator Blue Star Ferries | Departure Time 10:00 | Arrival Time 18:00 | Duration 8h00 | Sailing Days Sat |
Operator Minoan Lines (Greece domestic) | Departure Time 21:00 | Arrival Time 06:30 | Duration 9h30 | Sailing Days Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat |
Operator Blue Star Ferries | Departure Time 17:00 | Arrival Time 04:20 | Duration 11h20 | Sailing Days Wed, Fri |
Operator Blue Star Ferries | Departure Time 19:00 | Arrival Time 04:15 | Duration 9h15 | Sailing Days Mon, Sun |
Operator Blue Star Ferries | Departure Time 18:00 | Arrival Time 03:50 | Duration 9h50 | Sailing Days Mon, Sun |
Operator Seajets | Departure Time 09:30 | Arrival Time 17:20 | Duration 7h50 | Sailing Days Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat |
Operator Blue Star Ferries | Departure Time 21:00 | Arrival Time 06:50 | Duration 9h50 | Sailing Days Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat |
The table below shows live departures for Piraeus to Heraklion ferries for today, Friday 4 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated ferry journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BLUE STAR CHIOS | 17:00 Port of Piraeus | 14h45 | 7:45 Sitia | 0 changesdirect | |
BLUE STAR CHIOS | 17:00 Port of Piraeus | 11h20 | 4:20 Heraklion Port | 0 changesdirect | |
FESTOS PALACE | 21:00 Port of Piraeus | 9h30 | 6:30 Heraklion Port | 0 changesdirect | |
ASTERION II | 21:00 Port of Piraeus | 9h15 | 6:15 Heraklion Port | 0 changesdirect | |
KISSAMOS | 22:00 Port of Piraeus | 9h25 | 7:25 Port of Souda | 0 changesdirect | |
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE JET 1 | 9:30 Port of Piraeus | 7h50 | 17:20 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 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.
Ferries from Piraeus to Heraklion run on average 5 times per day, taking around 8h 55m. Cheap ferry tickets for this journey start at £30 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 173 nautical miles (321 km) distance in 7h 50m. There are 27 sailings per week. Ferries from Piraeus to Heraklion are available to foot passengers.





Distance 173 nautical miles (321 km) |
Average sailing duration 8h 55m |
Cheapest ticket price £30 |
Ferries per day 5 |
Direct ferries Available |
Average weekly sailings 27 |
Fastest ferry 7h 50m |
First ferry 0:20 |
Last ferry 23:45 |
Cabins Available |
Vehicles Available |
Foot passengers Available |
Cheapest Month Mar |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Thu |
Least Busy Day Fri |
Best time to book 1 day |
Discover the best of Heraklion — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Heraklion trip today.
Leading museum for Minoan and Cretan antiquities, with masterworks from Knossos and clear displays spanning prehistoric to Roman Crete.
Museum inside the restored Church of Saint Catherine, showing important icons and ecclesiastical art from Crete’s post-Byzantine period.
Compact museum dedicated to Nikos Kazantzakis, exploring the celebrated author’s life, travels, manuscripts and intellectual world.
Lively central square with the Morosini Fountain, surrounded by historic buildings and busy pedestrian streets for an easy first stop.
Long waterfront promenade by the old harbour, popular for walking, sunsets and views towards Koules Fortress and the sea.
Pedestrian shopping street in the old town, useful for strolling between churches, squares and local shops in a lively setting.
Dakos is a Cretan barley rusk topped with tomato, mizithra or feta, olive oil and oregano. It is a staple meze that showcases local produce and island olive oil.
Gamopilafo is a creamy Cretan rice dish cooked in rich meat broth, usually from goat or lamb. It is served at weddings and major celebrations across Crete.
Apaki is cured pork, traditionally smoked with aromatic herbs. It is a classic Cretan meze valued for its distinctive flavour and old preservation methods.
Traditional Cretan taverna known for local dishes, grilled meats and warm hospitality in a relaxed old-town setting.
Long-running city restaurant focused on Greek and Cretan recipes, with a polished but approachable dining room.
Established seafood restaurant by the harbour, popular for fresh fish, shellfish and classic Greek plates with sea views.
Moderate for Greece: tourist hotels raise summer prices, but tavernas, buses and coffee remain fairly affordable versus many Mediterranean island resorts.
Service is usually included or modest. Round up or leave 5-10% in restaurants, round up taxi fares, and leave small change in cafés if service was good.
Official public transport app
Heraklion Port -> Lion Square, Heraklion
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Piraeus to Heraklion 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 Heraklion, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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