Chania to Piraeus Ferry

This is the northbound leg of Crete’s busiest overnight ferry corridor — the return sailing from the port of Souda, about 7 km east of Chania town, up to Piraeus, the main port of Athens. It is a full-size conventional ferry crossing rather than a fast catamaran, covering the roughly 150-nautical-mile stretch of the Aegean in about 8 to 9 hours 20 minutes, which is exactly why it is timed as an overnight voyage.

For 2026 the route is worked by ANEK Lines vessel Elyros, operating under the Attica Group umbrella that also runs Blue Star and Superfast; you will see the crossing marketed under both ANEK and Blue Star branding, and tickets are cross-honoured. The standard pattern is a single daily sailing year-round, with the ship leaving Souda in the late evening (commonly around 21:00) and berthing at Piraeus early the next morning — arrival times reported in the region of 05:30 to 06:15. In the peak summer months a second daytime crossing is sometimes added, which can depart Chania as early as the morning.

Because it sails through the night, this ferry is effectively a floating hotel. You can travel on a basic economy deck (airline-style or unreserved seating) or, far more sensibly for an overnight, book a cabin — inside or outside, in 1-, 2-, 3- or 4-berth configurations, or a single bed in a shared cabin. On board you will find restaurants and cafeterias, bars and lounges, and a large garage that takes cars, motorbikes, campers and freight, making this the practical choice for anyone bringing a vehicle to or from western Crete. Foot-passenger fares typically start around €37, rising with cabin grade and vehicle space. As with all Greek ferries, sailings can be adjusted or cancelled in bad weather, and summer timetables differ from winter, so verify the exact departure before booking.