The cheapest and fastest ferries from Heraklion to Athens
Cheapest price
€33
Average price
€43
Fastest journey
9 h 10 m
Average duration
9 h 18 m
Ferries per day
3
Distance
321 km
The best way to find a cheap ferry ticket from Heraklion to Athens is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Heraklion to Athens will cost around €43 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €33.
Of the 3 ferries that leave Heraklion for Athens on Tue, Nov 18, 3 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Tue, Nov 18 the direct ferries cover the 321 km distance in an average of 9 h 18 m but if you time it right, some ferries will get you there in just 9 h 10 m .
On Tue, Nov 18 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.
ASTERION II
KNOSSOS PALACE
BLUE STAR 1
BLUE STAR 1
ASTERION II
KNOSSOS PALACETravel Information
Compare ferry and flight for Heraklion to Athens
Omio recommends booking the ferry as it is the most popular option from Heraklion to Athens 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 54m. 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 €42.
Distance: 173 nautical miles (321 km)
Compare ferry with
Most popular Ferry | Flight |
|---|---|
€35 Average price Cheapest | €109 Average price |
9h 42m Average total duration 8h 42m Onboard + 1h 0m Additional time* | 3h 54m Average total duration Fastest 54m 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.
Heraklion to Athens Ferry Timetables
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Sailing Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Blue Star Ferries | Departure Time 09:00PM | Arrival Time 06:15AM | Duration 9h15 | Sailing Days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri |
Operator Blue Star Ferries | Departure Time 01:15AM | Arrival Time 01:35PM | Duration 12h20 | Sailing Days Fri |
Operator Blue Star Ferries | Departure Time 04:30AM | Arrival Time 01:35PM | Duration 9h05 | Sailing Days Fri |
Operator Minoan Lines (Greece domestic) | Departure Time 09:00PM | Arrival Time 06:30AM | Duration 9h30 | Sailing Days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri |
Live departures
Heraklion to Athens ferry times
The table below shows live departures for Heraklion to Athens ferries for today, Monday, November 17. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated ferry journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NISSOS RODOS | 7:00 PM Heraklion Port | 9h15 | 4:15 AM Port of Piraeus | 0 transfersDirect | |
ARIADNE | 7:00 PM Port of Souda | 9h10 | 4:10 AM Port of Piraeus | 0 transfersDirect | |
FESTOS PALACE | 7:00 PM Heraklion Port | 9h30 | 4:30 AM Port of Piraeus | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last ferry of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Heraklion to Athens 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 17
Nov 18
Nov 19
Nov 20
Nov 21
Nov 22
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Nov 30
How far in advance should I book ferry tickets from Heraklion to Athens?
Journey information
Overview: Ferry from Heraklion to Athens
Ferries from Heraklion to Athens run on average 4 times per day, taking around 8h 42m. 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 01:00, the last at 23:45. The fastest ferry covers the 173 nautical miles (321 km) distance in 8h 30m. There are 29 sailings per week. Ferries from Heraklion to Athens are available to foot passengers.





Distance 173 nautical miles (321 km) |
Average sailing duration 8h 42m |
Cheapest ticket price €30 |
Ferries per day 4 |
Direct ferries Available |
Average weekly sailings 29 |
Fastest ferry 8h 30m |
First ferry 01:00 |
Last ferry 23:45 |
Cabins Available |
Vehicles Available |
Foot passengers Available |
Ferry operators: Blue Star Ferries, Anek - Superfast, Minoan Lines (Greece domestic), Seajets, Fast Ferries from Heraklion to AthensYou can travel by ferry between Heraklion to Athens with Blue Star Ferries, Anek - Superfast, Minoan Lines (Greece domestic), 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
Anek - Superfast
Minoan Lines (Greece domestic)
Seajets
Fast Ferries
FAQs: Ferry from Heraklion to Athens
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Heraklion to Athens 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 Athens, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Passengers board the ferry most frequently from Heraklion Port, which is located around 1.3 miles (2.1 km) away from the city centre, and they get off the ferry at Port of Piraeus, located 7.8 miles (12.5 km) away from the city centre.
popular ferry ports
Popular ports from Heraklion to Athens
- 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 Heraklion to Athens
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