Greece
Naxos to Irakleia Ferry
Schedule, crossing time & sailings for 2026
Departs
Naxos
Cyclades
Arrives
Irakleia
At a glance
The Naxos to Irakleia ferry takes about 1h–1h 30m, with 2 listed sailings between 12:10 and 14:30. It is operated by Blue Star Ferries, Small Cyclades Lines. Fares start from €5.50.
- First sailing
- 12:10
- Last sailing
- 14:30
- Sailings listed
- 2
- Crossing
- from 1h
Naxos to Irakleia ferry timetable
| Departs | Arrives | Duration | Operator | Runs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12:10 | 13:10 | 1h | Blue Star FerriesBlue Star Naxos | Mon, Wed, Fri |
| 14:30 | 16:00 | 1h 30m | Small Cyclades LinesExpress Skopelitis | Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun |
Times are indicative and may change seasonally. Confirm with the operator before travelling.
About the Naxos – Irakleia crossing
Two operators run out to Irakleia on different clocks. Blue Star Ferries leaves Naxos at 12.10 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and is alongside an hour later, at 13.10, on its way down the Piraeus–Amorgos line. Small Cyclades Lines follows at 14.30 with the Express Skopelitis, taking 90 minutes, six days a week.
The fast boat and the local boat
The hour difference is not only speed. Blue Star's Blue Star Naxos is a full-size ro-pax with indoor lounges and a proper car deck, passing through on a longer run. The Skopelitis is a 1986-built island ferry of about 340 passengers and 11 vehicles, and Irakleia is her first call rather than an intermediate stop — she carries the freight, the post and the islanders as much as the visitors.
What happens after Irakleia
The Skopelitis does not stop there. She continues Irakleia 15.40, Schoinousa 16.00, Koufonisi 16.45, and on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays runs on to Donousa, arriving 17.55. Whichever island you are bound for, this is the same afternoon departure from Naxos; you simply get off later.
Timetable editions
The 14.30 sailing is listed to 13 September 2026. From 14 September Small Cyclades Lines moves it half an hour earlier, to 14.00, and drops Sunday from the week. The Blue Star departure is published without an end date. Confirm the day before travelling — on this route the operator, not just the time, changes with the weekday.
Vehicles, pets & onboard
- Wi-Fi and @sea infotainment
- seamore app
- Web check-in
- Seasmiles loyalty programme
- On Blue magazine
- 340 passengers and 11–12 cars
- Open aft deck
- Freight and island supplies
- Day excursions in the Small Cyclades in season
- Tickets and times through island agents — no online booking
Onboard facilities and vehicle, pet and luggage policies vary by operator and vessel; confirm details with the operator before booking.
Ships on the Naxos – Irakleia route
2 ships work this crossing across 3 listed sailings, most often Express Skopelitis.
Express Skopelitis
Small Cyclades Lines
2 sailings on this route
Blue Star Naxos
Blue Star Ferries
1 sailing on this route
Getting to & from the ports
Frequently asked questions
Which of the two ferries should I take?
They are different services. Blue Star Ferries leaves at 12:10 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and takes about an hour on a full-size ro-pax. Small Cyclades Lines follows at 14:30 with the Express Skopelitis, a small local ferry, taking around an hour and a half. The Blue Star sailing is faster and more comfortable; the Skopelitis runs on more days of the week.
Is there a ferry to Irakleia every day?
Not from both operators. The Express Skopelitis sails six days a week; Blue Star Ferries calls three days a week. Between them there is a departure on most days, but the timing shifts by more than two hours depending on which one is running.
What changes on 14 September 2026?
Small Cyclades Lines moves its departure from 14:30 to 14:00 and drops Sunday from the schedule. The published autumn edition runs to 31 October 2026.
Can I take a car across?
On the Blue Star vessel, yes, on a normal car deck. The Express Skopelitis carries only around eleven vehicles, so space is genuinely scarce in summer and freight has priority.
Do I need a passport for this ferry?
No. Naxos and Irakleia are both in Greece, so this is a domestic crossing.
How long does the crossing take?
About 1h on the fastest service, covering roughly 15 nautical miles.
How much does a ticket cost?
Fares start from around €5.50. Prices vary by operator, season, cabin and whether you take a vehicle.
Who operates this ferry?
Served by Blue Star Ferries and Small Cyclades Lines.
How many ferries run each day?
There are 2 daily departures, with the first at 12:10 and the last at 14:30.
What time are the first and last sailings?
The first sailing currently departs at 12:10 and the last leaves at 14:30. Departure times vary by day and season — check the timetable above for the exact sailing you need.
What's the fastest crossing option?
The quickest option takes about 1h. Crossing time depends on the operator and vessel — compare sailings from Blue Star Ferries and Small Cyclades Lines above.
Can I do this as a day trip?
A day trip is often possible: with a crossing of about 1h and several sailings a day (first 12:10, last 14:30), you can return the same day. Always check the return timetable before you go.
Continue your journey
Onward sailings from Irakleia
Plan a multi-leg trip — these ferries depart Irakleia.
Same departure port
More ferries from Naxos
Everything else that sails from the same quay.
Sharing a stop
Crossings calling at Naxos or Irakleia
Nearby links that share a quay with this one.
Choosing an operator
Compare operators on this crossing
More than one company sails Naxos–Irakleia — see how they stack up.
Timetable valid Jan 1, 2026 – Sep 13, 2026.
Reviewed by Serhat Özçelik, Founder & Editor of Ferry Schedule Hub · Last updated August 12, 2026.
Operators on this route
Fares from
€5.50
Lowest published one-way fare. Final price varies by operator, date and vehicle.
Ports on this route
Naxos on the map
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