Ferry connection
Is there a ferry from Samos to Heraklion?
There is no direct ferry from Samos to Heraklion. The most practical ferry connection is via Piraeus: sail Samos → Piraeus, then change for the Piraeus → Heraklion ferry. The two crossings take about 18h 25m 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.
Samos to Heraklion ferry connection, leg by leg
| Leg | Ferry crossing | Crossing time | Operators |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Samos → Piraeusfrom €49.70 | 9h 10m | Blue Star Ferries |
| 2 | Piraeus → Heraklionfrom €42 | 9h 15m | Minoan Lines, Hellenic Seaways, Blue Star Ferries, SeaJets |
Change ferries at Piraeus. Sailing times are indicative and seasonal — confirm each leg with its operator.
About Samos and Heraklion
Samos
From Samos, Turkey is seventy-five minutes away and Athens is nine hours. That single fact reorganises how the island is used: Ephesus is an easy day out, İzmir is a plausible airport, and the ferry to Piraeus is an overnight you take once. The island has three harbours, and one of them cannot help you cross to Turkey at all.
Samos travel guideHeraklion
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 guideFrequently asked questions
Is there a direct ferry from Samos to Heraklion?
No. There is currently no direct, single-vessel ferry between Samos and Heraklion. You can still make the journey by ferry with one change, via Piraeus.
How do you get from Samos to Heraklion by ferry?
Take the Samos → Piraeus ferry, then change at Piraeus for the Piraeus → Heraklion ferry. The two crossings total about 18h 25m of sailing time. They are separate tickets, so leave enough time to connect.
Do I need to change ferries between Samos and Heraklion?
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 Samos to Heraklion ferry journey take?
About 18h 25m 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 Samos and Heraklion?
The most practical change point is Piraeus. From Piraeus, onward ferries continue to Heraklion.
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Reviewed by Serhat Özçelik, Founder & Editor of Ferry Schedule Hub.