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Athens (Piraeus) – Heraklion

Ferries to Crete

Athens (Piraeus) – Heraklion

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Ferry from Athens (Piraeus) to Heraklion

The Athens (Piraeus) to Heraklion ferry route is provided by 2 ferry companies. The ferry crossing from Athens (Piraeus) to Heraklion is approximately 9 hours 25 minutes on most ferries servicing this route. Ferries between Athens (Piraeus) to Heraklion cost around $113 and $863, depending on ticket details. Prices exclude any service fees. Ferry timetables change seasonally, use our Deal Finder to get live pricing and availability for ferries from Athens (Piraeus) to Heraklion.

Ferry times from Athens (Piraeus) to Heraklion

Athens (Piraeus) Heraklion ferry sailings typycally depart from Athens (Piraeus) at around 07:00. The last ferry leaves at 21:00.

How long is the ferry from Athens (Piraeus) to Heraklion?

The Athens (Piraeus) Heraklion ferry trip can take around 9 hours 25 minutes. The fastest Athens (Piraeus) to Heraklion ferry is around 7 hours 20 minutes. Crossing times can vary between ferry operator and seasons.

Athens (Piraeus) Heraklion Ferry Operator Schedules

There are around 27 weekly sailings from Athens (Piraeus) to Heraklion serviced by Minoan Lines & SeaJets. Timetables can vary by season and operator.

Ferry prices from Athens (Piraeus) to Heraklion

Athens (Piraeus) Heraklion ferry prices typically range between $113* and $863*. The average price is typically $316*. The cheapest ferries from Athens (Piraeus) to Heraklion start from $113*. The average price for a foot passenger is $225*. The average price for a car is $501*.

Ferry price can vary based on booking factors such as number of passengers, vehicle type sailing times. Pricing is taken from searches over last 30 days and exclusive of service fees, last updated March 25.

How far is it from Athens (Piraeus) to Heraklion?

The distance between Athens (Piraeus) to Heraklion is approximately 194 miles (312km) or 168 nautical miles.

Can I travel by car on the Athens (Piraeus) Heraklion ferry?

Yes, Minoan Lines & SeaJets allow cars on board ferries between Athens (Piraeus) and Heraklion. Use our Deal Finder to get live pricing for car ferries between Athens (Piraeus) and Heraklion.

Can I travel as a foot passenger from Athens (Piraeus) to Heraklion?

Foot passengers can travel on the Athens (Piraeus) to Heraklion ferry with Minoan Lines & SeaJets.

Can I take my pet on the ferry from Athens (Piraeus) to Heraklion?

Pets can travel on ferries from Athens (Piraeus) to Heraklion with Minoan Lines. Pets may have to stay in the vehicle during the journey depending on the operators guidelines.
 

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Athens (Piraeus) to Heraklion Ferry Most Popular Questions

Athens (Piraeus) Guide

The port city of Piraeus in Greece lies on the Saronic Gulf in the Attica region of the country and forms part of the Athens urban area, with the centre of Athens located some 12 km from the port. The centre of Piraeus is generally congested with traffic and tends not to be place where tourists would go. The area has many of the facilities you would expect of a non-tourist town: banks, public buildings, pedestrian areas, shopping streets and the like. The area around Zea Marina and Mikrolimano Harbour are perhaps the most attractive part of Piraeus and have a good selection of restaurants, cafes and bars.

Piraeus is Greece's main port and the largest in Europe and the third largest in the world. Unsurprisingly, it is the hub of Greece's maritime industries and the base for its merchant navy. Having recently undergone a refurbishment, facilities at the port have improved and include ATM's, bureau de change, restaurants, cafes, bars and a number of travel agencies selling ferry tickets. destinations served by the port include the island of Crete, the Cyclades Islands, the Dodecanese Islands, the eastern parts of Greece and parts of the northern and eastern Aegean Sea.


Heraklion Guide

Located on the Greek island of Crete, Heraklion is the island's largest city and is one of the main urban centres in Greece. The city can trace its history back to at least the 9th century AD when its development began and then later came under the influence of the Arabs, the Venetians and the Ottomans. Popular sites in the city with tourists include the fortification walls that are essentially the boundary of the old city. These were first built by the Arabs and then reinforced by the Venetians. From the seven bastions, only the Martinengo bastion survives to this day and is where visitors will find the tomb of the renowned writer N. Kazantzakis, overlooking the city. The city was also a venue during the 2004 Olympic Games, and hosted games of the football tournament.

Located in the city's old port, visitors can still see the vaulted tarsanades where ships used to be built and also the 16th century Koule Fortress. From the port, ferries depart to destinations including Santorini, Ios, Paros, Mykonos and Rhodes. There are also ferry services to the Greek mainland port of Piraeus.

Athens (Piraeus) to Heraklion
Ferry Timetables

Timetables between 2025-03-24 and 2025-03-30

Operator Departure Time Arrival Time Duration Sailing Days
Blue Star Ferries 17:00 03:00 10 hours Thu
Blue Star Ferries 17:00 04:20 11 hours 20 minutes Sat
Blue Star Ferries 21:00 06:15 9 hours 15 minutes Everyday
Minoan Lines 21:00 06:30 9 hours 30 minutes Everyday

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