Greece
Milos to Heraklion Ferry
Schedule, crossing time & sailings for 2026
At a glance
The Milos to Heraklion ferry takes about 5h 10m, with one daily departure at 01:20. It is operated by Minoan Lines.
- First sailing
- 01:20
- Last sailing
- 01:20
- Sailings / day
- 1
- Crossing
- 5h 10m
Milos to Heraklion ferry timetable
| Departs | Arrives | Duration | Operator | Runs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01:20 | 06:30 | 5h 10m | Minoan LinesFESTOS PALACE | Daily |
Times are indicative and may change seasonally. Confirm with the operator before travelling.
About the Milos – Heraklion crossing
The Milos to Heraklion route connects Milos, the volcanic gem of the Western Cyclades, with Heraklion, the capital and main port of Crete. It is a seasonal high-speed link that opens up the harder-to-reach western islands to Crete without a long backtrack through Athens. Because Milos sits on a different Cycladic axis from Mykonos or Santorini, direct sailings here are fewer and more weather-sensitive.
Operators and vessels
Fast sailings are run mainly by SeaJets high-speed catamarans during the summer season, and the wider Milos-Crete corridor is also served at times by conventional car ferries (including Minoan Lines connections), which are slower but steadier in rough seas and offer more deck space. High-speed catamarans provide reserved airline-style seating with no cabins, while conventional ferries carry more vehicles and passengers.
Crossing time and frequency
Journey time runs from roughly 4 hours 20 minutes on the fastest catamarans to about 5 hours 10 minutes on slower or multi-stop sailings. Across all operators there are only a modest number of weekly departures - often around a dozen or so in high season - so this is not an everyday, turn-up-and-go connection. Timetables tighten considerably outside the summer months (roughly late spring to early autumn), and schedules shift around Greek public holidays and peak-season demand.
- Departure: Milos main port at Adamantas (Adamas), the island's principal harbour.
- Arrival: Heraklion main port on the north coast of Crete.
- Vehicles: Cars are carried on both the catamarans and the conventional ferries serving this corridor.
Milos and Heraklion are both in Greece, so no passport is required. Given the limited frequency and seasonal nature of the link, booking ahead and checking the live timetable for your exact travel date is strongly recommended.
Your destination
About 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.
Full Heraklion travel guideVehicles, pets & onboard
- Multi-leg trip search
- Web check-in
- BonusClub loyalty scheme
- Buy now, pay later with a €15 discount
Onboard facilities and vehicle, pet and luggage policies vary by operator and vessel; confirm details with the operator before booking.
Ships on the Milos – Heraklion route
2 ships work this crossing across 2 listed sailings, most often FESTOS PALACE.
FESTOS PALACE
Minoan Lines
1 sailing on this route
KYDON PALACE
Minoan Lines
1 sailing on this route
Getting to & from the ports
Frequently asked questions
Who runs this ferry crossing?
Minoan Lines.
How long, roughly, is the crossing?
About 4h 40m under normal conditions.
Do I need a passport for this ferry?
No, it's a domestic crossing within Greece.
How do I get back from Heraklion?
Check the Heraklion to Milos ferry for return times.
How much does a ticket cost?
Ticket prices vary by operator, season and whether you bring a vehicle. Check the operator (Minoan Lines) for current fares.
How many ferries run each day?
There is 1 daily departure, departing at 01:20.
Does the ferry run all year?
Sailings run daily, and frequency can change between the summer and winter seasons. The timetable above shows the latest published departures — confirm with the operator for off-season dates.
Can I take a car on this ferry?
Minoan Lines does not list vehicle space on this service — plan to travel as a foot passenger. If you need to bring a car, check with the operator for alternative crossings.
Can I take a pet on this ferry?
Most ferry operators allow pets on this route, usually in a carrier, on deck or in designated pet areas or cabins, and registered assistance dogs travel free. Rules and any fees vary by operator and vessel — check with Minoan Lines, so declare your pet when booking.
Will these sailing times change soon?
The timetable above is the one in force now and runs to 24 October 2026. The next edition has already been published and starts 19 October 2026; it replaces this table on that date, so what you see here is always the current season rather than a merged list of all of them.
What's the luggage allowance?
Foot passengers can normally bring their own luggage aboard at no extra charge, with racks or a luggage area near the entrance, and there is usually no airline-style weight limit. Oversized or excess items may carry a fee, so check with the operator if you are travelling with bulky baggage.
Where can I check live sailing times?
The timetable on this page shows the latest published sailings for this route. Always confirm with the operator before travelling, as schedules change seasonally.
Continue your journey
Onward sailings from Heraklion
Plan a multi-leg trip — these ferries depart Heraklion.
Same departure port
More ferries from Milos
Everything else that sails from the same quay.
Sharing a stop
Crossings calling at Milos or Heraklion
Nearby links that share a quay with this one.
Timetable valid Oct 12, 2026 – Oct 24, 2026.
Reviewed by Serhat Özçelik, Founder & Editor of Ferry Schedule Hub · Last updated October 18, 2026.
Operated by
Ports on this route
Milos on the map
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