Ferry connection
Is there a ferry from Heraklion to Chios?
There is no direct ferry from Heraklion to Chios. The most practical ferry connection is via Piraeus: sail Heraklion → Piraeus, then change for the Piraeus → Chios ferry. The two crossings take about 16h 40m of sailing time combined, plus the connection at Piraeus.
The legs are separate tickets and may not connect on the same day — always check operator times before booking.
Heraklion to Chios ferry connection, leg by leg
| Leg | Ferry crossing | Crossing time | Operators |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Heraklion → Piraeusfrom €42 | 9h 15m | Minoan Lines, Hellenic Seaways, Blue Star Ferries, SeaJets |
| 2 | Piraeus → Chiosfrom €34.50 | 7h 25m | Anek Lines, Hellenic Seaways, Blue Star Ferries |
Change ferries at Piraeus. Sailing times are indicative and seasonal — confirm each leg with its operator.
About Heraklion and Chios
Heraklion
Crete has two ferry doors and they are 150 kilometres apart. Choosing the wrong one does not cost you a ferry — it costs you a day of driving at the far end. Heraklion is the busier of the two, and it is the only one from which you can reach the Cyclades by sea, which for a lot of itineraries settles the question before price does.
Heraklion travel guideChios
Chios is not a resort island that happens to have a port. It is a working island with an export crop that grows nowhere else on earth, a shipping fortune behind it, and a ferry timetable built around residents rather than holidaymakers. It also happens to sit forty-five minutes from Turkey, which makes it one of the easiest Greek islands to reach and one of the least transited.
Chios travel guideFrequently asked questions
Is there a direct ferry from Heraklion to Chios?
No. There is currently no direct, single-vessel ferry between Heraklion and Chios. You can still make the journey by ferry with one change, via Piraeus.
How do you get from Heraklion to Chios by ferry?
Take the Heraklion → Piraeus ferry, then change at Piraeus for the Piraeus → Chios ferry. The two crossings total about 16h 40m of sailing time. They are separate tickets, so leave enough time to connect.
Do I need to change ferries between Heraklion and Chios?
Yes. Because there is no through-service, you change ferries at Piraeus. Check that the arriving and departing sailings line up on your travel date.
How long does the Heraklion to Chios ferry journey take?
About 16h 40m of sailing time in total, plus the wait for your connection at Piraeus. Exact times vary by season and operator.
Where do you change ferries between Heraklion and Chios?
The most practical change point is Piraeus. From Piraeus, onward ferries continue to Chios.
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Reviewed by Serhat Özçelik, Founder & Editor of Ferry Schedule Hub.