Ferry from Athens (Piraeus) to Heraklion

Is there a ferry from Athens (Piraeus) to Heraklion?

The ferry connection from Piraeus to Heraklion is normally operated all year round. The 4 ferry companies operating on this route are Minoan Lines, Anek Lines, Fast Ferries, and Aegeon Pelagos.

Anek Lines serves the route all year round, while Minoan Lines and Fast Ferries vessels sail from Piraeus to Heraklion only in the summer months. Aegeon Pelagos mainly serves off-season crossings.

Please note that ferry timetables are subject to change depending on the season.

What’s the ferry schedule from Athens (Piraeus) to Heraklion?

There are usually 1-2 daily ferries from Athens to Heraklion all year round. During the summer months, there are up to 5 ferry crossings a day. 

The first ferry from Piraeus to Heraklion normally departs at around 09:00 and arrives around 18:00. The last departure from Piraeus is normally scheduled at 21:00, with the ferry arriving in Heraklion at 06:15-06:30. 

The majority of the ferries from Piraeus to Heraklion are overnight.

Tip: find more information on how to reach Crete this summer in our dedicated post. 

How much is the ferry from Athens (Piraeus) to Heraklion?

Piraeus - Heraklion ferry tickets start at about €36. The final price depends on discounts, offers, seat type, vehicle and cabin selection, and the ferry company.

Offers

On Ferryhopper, you can find all available offers for the ferry trip to Heraklion from Athens. Take a look at our ferry routes, find the lowest ferry prices, and book your ferry tickets easily and quickly.

Current offers will be automatically applied when booking your ferry tickets.

Discounts

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

• Children from 5 to 10 years old
• Students (Greek public universities and ISIC card holders)
• 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.

How long is the ferry ride from Athens (Piraeus) to Heraklion?

The duration of the ferry trip from Athens to Heraklion (Crete) is about 9 hr on average. Depending on the type of vessel and the weather conditions, the trip to Heraklion can take from 8 hr 45 min to about 10 hr.

Tip: worried that weather conditions may affect your time of departure? You can see any changes and track your ferry in real time on the Ferryhopper App. 

Is there a high-speed ferry from Athens (Piraeus) to Heraklion?

As the distance between the 2 ports is quite long, the Piraeus - Heraklion ferry route is mainly operated by conventional vessels. The fastest ferry from Piraeus takes about 8 hr 45 min to reach Heraklion.

What is the distance between Athens (Piraeus) and Heraklion?

The distance between the port of Piraeus and the port of Heraklion is 173 nautical miles (320 km). 

Useful tips for your ferry trip from Athens (Piraeus) to Heraklion

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 high season. Find out more about how to get from Athens to Crete and plan your holidays in the largest Greek island.
• During the summer, you can easily take day trips from Heraklion to Santorini and from Heraklion to Mykonos.
• Read more about your holidays in Crete in our Heraklion travel guide.
• For the latest information on Covid-19 and ferry travel in Greece, you can check our relevant post. Note that, for the time being, all restrictions have been lifted.

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. Ferries to Crete usually depart from gates E2 and E3 in the port of Piraeus.

Can I travel on the ferry from Athens (Piraeus) to Heraklion with a car?

Yes, you can bring along your vehicle on ferries traveling from Athens (Piraeus) to Heraklion. 

Ferry luggage

Ferry companies in Greece 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.

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

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

Cabins

The majority of the ferries that travel from Athens to Heraklion have different types of cabins, as well as numbered seats. 

Prices for bed cabins start at €70 and might vary from one ferry company to another.

Pet travel

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.

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

Book cheap ferry tickets from Athens (Piraeus) to Heraklion

On Ferryhopper, you can book ferry tickets from Athens to Heraklion at the same prices as ferry companies. Find all information you need about available routes on our Map of ferries, compare ferry companies and fares, and book ferry tickets fto Crete in just a few steps!