Ferry from Athens (Piraeus) to Heraklion

Traveling from Athens to Heraklion by ferry is easy and comfortable, and you can take advantage of available discounts to book lower-cost ferry tickets. Ferry companies offer discounts of up to 50% to certain passenger categories, such as:

• Children from 5 to 10 years old
• Students (Greek public universities and ISIC cardholders)
• Permanent residents of islands (holders of Unique Islander Number)
• People with disabilities and their accompanying persons

Note: infants and toddlers up to 4-5 years travel for free. Keep in mind that available discounts may vary from one ferry company to another.

The conventional and high-speed ferries serving the Piraeus - Heraklion route are equipped with a range of modern amenities, ensuring a comfortable and relaxed journey. On most ferries, you can generally expect:

• Seating in the air-conditioned lounges and on deck
• Bars and restaurants where you can enjoy snacks, drinks and meals
• Children play areas
• Shops
• Wi-Fi
• Amenities for travelers with disabilities
• Kennels for larger pets

Are there cabins on the ferry to Heraklion?

The conventional ferries (Minoan Lines and Blue Star Ferries / Anek Lines) from Athens to Heraklion offer  private and shared cabin  options. Prices for bed cabins start at around €59 and usually vary from one ferry company to another.

Passengers can pick from a wide range of cabin types, from 1-, 2-, 3-, or 4-berth internal cabins (no windows) to external cabins with portholes and sea views. For extra comfort, luxury or deluxe suites come with a spacious double bed, a sitting area, TV, and a mini fridge. Traveling on a budget? You can also book a single berth in a shared, gender-specific cabin.

You’ll also find pet-friendly cabins with easy-to-clean flooring, so your furry companion can travel with you.

On Seajets  high-speed catamarans there are no cabins, however you can usually book a seat in the Business or VIP lounge for a more comfortable journey.

Tip: since cabins sell out quickly, especially on overnight routes, it’s best to book yours well in advance.

What type of seats can I book?

If you’re not booking a private cabin, you can still choose from a few seating options, depending on your budget and how much comfort you want:

• Economy deck seating (unassigned): this is the most budget-friendly option; you can sit in any shared indoor lounge, café, or open deck area. Deck seats start at around €33 with Blue Star Ferries / ANEK Lines and around €40-€44 with Minoan Lines, whereas premium high-speed seats with Seajets start from €89.70.
• Numbered airplane-type seats (ATS): available on all ferries. These are reserved, reclining armchairs in quieter, air-conditioned lounges, so you’ll have a guaranteed spot. They’re a popular pick for overnight crossings.
• Business Class and VIP lounges: with this upgrade, you get access to exclusive upper-deck lounges with more space, a quieter atmosphere, premium seating, and often waiter service.Prices typically starting at around €115

High-speed seating classes: on Seajets high-speed vessels, you can choose between Silver (standard economy), Business (more comfortable lounge), or Platinum/VIP (the most exclusive section, usually with extra-wide leather seats and power outlets). Some vessels also offer economy options in a common lounge.

Luggage

Greek ferry companies are usually quite flexible regarding luggage size and weight. You can keep your luggage next to you or store your bags and suitcases in the designated luggage area on the ferry to Heraklion.

As each ferry company has its own baggage allowance policy, we recommend that you don’t carry more than 50 kg to avoid any delays due to the restricted space in the luggage area.

Good to know: bear in mind that there is no check-in procedure for luggage items. 

Traveling with pets

On Athens - Heraklion ferries, you can travel with your pet free of charge. Bear in mind that each ferry company has its own pet policy.

Pet-friendly cabins are limited and tend to sell out fast, so it’s best to book yours early. If there’s no cabin available, you can reserve an onboard kennel box, or stay with your pet on the designated spaces on the open decks.

Make sure to carry along all necessary pet health certificates, tickets and any supplies you may need for your trip.

Amenities for people with disabilities

Ferries serving the Athens - Heraklion route are well-equipped to ensure a smooth and comfortable journey for passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility (PRM):

• Conventional Ferries (Minoan Lines & Blue Star Ferries / Anek Lines): These large vessels feature specially adapted PRM cabins (with extra floor space, wide doors, and roll-in showers), wheelchair-accessible elevators with audio/luminous keys, tactile path guides, and accessible restrooms. Reserved parking spaces close to the lifts are also available on the garage decks.
• High-Speed Vessels (Seajets): these ships offer boarding ramps, adapted restrooms, and designated, secure PRM seating areas within the main lounges.

Here are some tips for your ferry trip from Athens (Piraeus) to Heraklion:

• To avoid any delays and traffic, we recommend arriving at the port of Piraeus at least 1 hr before departure time, especially if you are traveling with your vehicle. 
• The distance between Gates E2 and E3 to Crete and the metro/suburban railway station at the port of Piraeus is approximately 25 min on foot. You can also get to the gates with the free port shuttle bus.
• There are numerous departures from Athens to the ports of Crete every day, especially in the high season. Find out more about how to get from Athens to Crete and plan your holidays on the largest Greek island.
• Greek ferries can get chilly, even during the summer, so bring along a light jacket or sweater for a more comfortable journey.
• While the Aegean is generally calm, the sea can get a bit choppy, so if you are prone to seasickness, consider taking motion sickness medication before the trip. As always, you can discuss your options with your pharmacist or doctor.
• During the summer, you can easily take day trips from Heraklion to Santorini and from Heraklion to Mykonos. You can find out more in our guide on island-hopping in Crete and take a look at our Map of ferries to plan your adventure in the Aegean.
• For all of your travel options, check out our complete guide on Crete ferry schedules.

Where to take the ferry from Athens (Piraeus) to Heraklion

The Athens - Heraklion ferry normally departs from the port of Piraeus. Piraeus is located approximately 15 km south of the city center of Athens and 45 km from Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos.

You can get to the port of Piraeus by car, taxi, as well as public transport, including metro, bus, and suburban railway.

Which gate do ferries to Heraklion depart from?

Ferries to Heraklion normally depart from gates E2 or E3 in the port of Piraeus. Keep in mind though that the gates may change due to traffic, so confirm your gate at the electronic display boards or at the port authority information desk.

How to get to the port of Piraeus

You can get to the port of Piraeus by car, taxi, as well as public transport.

• By metro: the fastest way to avoid traffic. Line 1 (Green) connects central spots like Monastiraki and Omonia directly to the port. Line 3 (Blue) runs from Athens International Airport to Piraeus in about 60 min.
• By bus: the X96 express bus runs 24/7 and offers a direct connection from the airport to the port in around 90 min.
• By taxi or private transfer: it takes about 30-45 min from the city center and 45-60 min from the airport.
• By car: you can reach the port via Syngrou/Poseidonos avenues or the Athinon - Pireos highway.

Where does the ferry arrive in Heraklion?

The ferry from Piraeus normally docks at the main port of Heraklion, which is about 2 km from the city center. You can easily reach the center of Heraklion and regional bus station (KTEL) on foot. The airport of Heraklion is about 4 km from the port, and you can easily reach it by bus (lines 1 and 78) or taxi.

In the area around the port you will find cafés, restaurants and shops, as well as hotels, car rental agencies, banks and ATMs.