The cheapest and fastest ferries from Athens to Heraklion
Cheapest price
€33
Average price
€38
Fastest journey
8 h 45 m
Average duration
9 h 5 m
Ferries per day
3
Distance
321 km
The best way to find a cheap ferry ticket from Athens to Heraklion is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Athens to Heraklion will cost around €38 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €33.
Of the 3 ferries that leave Athens for Heraklion on Thu, Nov 27, 3 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Thu, Nov 27 the direct ferries cover the 321 km distance in an average of 9 h 5 m but if you time it right, some ferries will get you there in just 8 h 45 m .
On Thu, Nov 27 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.






Travel Information
Compare ferry and flight for Athens to Heraklion
Omio recommends booking the ferry as it is the most popular option from Athens to Heraklion among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the ferry with prices starting from €30. 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 €30, and a flight costs an average of €44.
Distance: 173 nautical miles (321 km)
Compare ferry with
Most popular Ferry | Flight |
|---|---|
€37 Average price Cheapest | €79 Average price |
9h 39m Average total duration 8h 39m 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 Heraklion Ferry Timetables
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Sailing Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Blue Star Ferries | Departure Time 05:00PM | Arrival Time 03:00AM | Duration 10h00 | Sailing Days Wed, Fri |
Operator Blue Star Ferries | Departure Time 09:00PM | Arrival Time 06:15AM | Duration 9h15 | Sailing Days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sun |
Operator Blue Star Ferries | Departure Time 10:00PM | Arrival Time 07:00AM | Duration 9h00 | Sailing Days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sun |
Operator Minoan Lines (Greece domestic) | Departure Time 09:00PM | Arrival Time 06:30AM | Duration 9h30 | Sailing Days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sun |
Live departures
Athens to Heraklion ferry times
The table below shows live departures for Athens to Heraklion ferries for today, Wednesday, November 26. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated ferry journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BLUE STAR CHIOS | 3:00 PM Port of Piraeus | 10h00 | 1:00 AM Heraklion Port | 0 transfersDirect | |
BLUE STAR CHIOS | 3:00 PM Port of Piraeus | 13h30 | 4:30 AM Sitia | 0 transfersDirect | |
NISSOS RODOS | 7:00 PM Port of Piraeus | 9h15 | 4:15 AM Heraklion Port | 0 transfersDirect | |
FESTOS PALACE | 7:00 PM Port of Piraeus | 9h30 | 4:30 AM Heraklion Port | 0 transfersDirect | |
ARIADNE | 8:00 PM Port of Piraeus | 9h00 | 5:00 AM Port of Souda | 0 transfersDirect |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Athens to Heraklion 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.
Nov 26
Nov 27
Nov 28
Nov 29
Nov 30
Dec 01
Dec 02
Journey information
Overview: Ferry from Athens to Heraklion
Ferries from Athens to Heraklion run on average 4 times per day, taking around 8h 39m. Cheap ferry tickets for this journey start at €30 if you book in advance.
There are 4 ferries per day. The earliest ferry runs at 00:15, the last at 23:45. The fastest ferry covers the 173 nautical miles (321 km) distance in 5h 45m. There are 29 sailings per week. Ferries from Athens to Heraklion are available to foot passengers.





Distance 173 nautical miles (321 km) |
Average sailing duration 8h 39m |
Cheapest ticket price €30 |
Ferries per day 4 |
Direct ferries Available |
Average weekly sailings 29 |
Fastest ferry 5h 45m |
First ferry 00:15 |
Last ferry 23:45 |
Cabins Available |
Vehicles Available |
Foot passengers Available |
Ferry operators: Blue Star Ferries, Minoan Lines (Greece domestic), Anek - Superfast, Seajets, Fast Ferries from Athens to HeraklionYou can travel by ferry between Athens to Heraklion with Blue Star Ferries, Minoan Lines (Greece domestic), Anek - Superfast, Seajets, Fast Ferries for as low as €30. When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey.
Blue Star Ferries
Minoan Lines (Greece domestic)
Anek - Superfast
Seajets
Fast Ferries
FAQs: Ferry from Athens to Heraklion
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Athens 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.

Passengers board the ferry most frequently from Port of Piraeus, which is located around 7.8 miles (12.5 km) away from the city centre, and they get off the ferry at Heraklion Port, located 1.3 miles (2.1 km) away from the city centre.
popular ferry ports
Popular ports from Athens to Heraklion
- 06:00-22:00
- Saturday-Sunday: 06:00-20:00
- Free WiFi
- Kebab & Curry Indian Restaurant (0.3km)
- To Steki tou Ilia (0.5km)
- Rouan Thai (0.7km)
- Main companies are Piraeus Taxi and Athens Taxi.
- Free
- Metro Line 1, Piraeus Station
More options for your journey from Athens to Heraklion
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