Greece · Greece's southern giant, tied to Athens and the Cyclades by overnight ship
Creteferry routes & schedules
Crete is large enough to feel like its own country, and its ferries reflect that scale. The northern ports of Heraklion and Chania run big overnight vessels up to Piraeus, while Heraklion also reaches north into the Cyclades. For an island this far south, the sea remains the classic way in.
- 14
- Connections
- 5
- Operators
- 4
- Quays
- 4h 40m
- Avg crossing
About
Ferry travel in Crete
The Athens overnight run
Both Heraklion and Chania connect to Piraeus with overnight ships from Minoan Lines and Blue Star Ferries — board in the evening, cabin down, and wake in Athens (or vice versa). It is a well-worn route with year-round service.
Sailing times and frequency vary by season, so confirm the current timetable when you book, especially for a cabin.
North into the Cyclades
From Heraklion, faster services reach up into the islands — Santorini, Naxos, Paros, Mykonos, Ios, Milos, Anafi and Syros — with SeaJets prominent on the high-speed links. These make it possible to combine Crete with a Cyclades hop rather than backtracking to Athens.
Many of these are seasonal; browse the full Greece ferry map to plan a multi-island route.
Quays
Ferry quays in Crete
4 quays with published connections. Open a quay for every route that calls there.
At a glance
Which Crete crossings run most often?
The busiest published crossings, ranked by number of listed sailings.
| Route | Crossing | Sailings | Operators |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heraklion → Santorini | 1h 35m | 4 / wk | 3 |
| Sitia → Heraklion | 2h 15m | 2 / wk | 1 |
| Kissamos → Kythira | 3h 15m | 2 / wk | 2 |
| Heraklion → Milos | 4h 20m | 2 / wk | 1 |
| Heraklion → Piraeus | 9h 15m | 2 / wk | 1 |
| Kissamos → Antikythera | 1h 50m | 1 / wk | 2 |
| Heraklion → Anafi | 2h 55m | 1 / wk | 1 |
| Heraklion → Naxos | 3h | 1 / wk | 1 |
| Heraklion → Syros | 5h 15m | 1 / wk | 1 |
Timetables
Ferry routes in Crete
9 routes departing Crete.
Kissamos2 routes
Sitia1 route
Operators
Who runs the ferries in Crete?
Travel updates
Latest updates for Crete
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How do I get from Crete to Athens by ferry?
Overnight ships link Heraklion and Chania with Piraeus, run by Minoan Lines and Blue Star Ferries. Cabins are available on these long crossings and worth booking ahead in summer.
Can I sail from Crete to Santorini?
Yes. From Heraklion, fast ferries reach Santorini and other Cyclades such as Naxos, Paros, Mykonos and Ios, mostly with SeaJets. Many of these links are seasonal.
Do Crete ferries run in winter?
The main Piraeus routes operate year-round, though less frequently, while the high-speed Cyclades links are largely a summer service. Check the timetable for the season you are travelling.
How many ferry routes are there in Crete?
Crete has 14 ferry and express-boat connections across 4 quays. Each route page lists the timetable, crossing time and operator.
Who operates ferries in Crete?
Boat and ferry services in Crete are run by 5 operators, including ANEN, Blue Star Ferries, Lane Sea Lines, Minoan Lines and SeaJets. Most are part of Greece's county public-transport network.
How long are ferry crossings in Crete?
Across Crete's active crossings the average sailing takes about 4h 40m, while the longest runs roughly 9h 30m. Each route page shows the exact duration.
Explore
Other ferry regions in Greece
Reviewed by Serhat Özçelik, Founder & Editor of Ferry Schedule Hub · Last updated August 2, 2026.