Rethymno - Athens (Piraeus)
Ferries to Athens
Rethymno - Athens (Piraeus)
Ferries to Athens
Compare live pricing across ferry operators worldwide and find the sailing that fits your trip. Booking sooner rather than later is the simplest way to secure the best fares and the widest choice.
Direct Ferries runs discounts across the calendar year. If your route qualifies for a senior discount, it's applied for you automatically as soon as you choose the correct age bracket in the passenger options when you search.
Students and recent graduates qualify for a 5% saving on their ticket. Register with our partner Student Beans to confirm your eligibility, then apply the discount code you receive at checkout.
A resident discount is also on offer for a number of Spanish and Italian crossings — select the "Residents" option where available and the price will adjust automatically. Make sure you can show proof of address, such as a residency certificate or ID card, when you check in.
Document requirements differ by route, so check what you'll need well before departure. Travelling from Rethymno to Athens (Piraeus) generally calls for a valid passport, plus any visa or national ID your nationality requires. Since rules depend on both your citizenship and your destination's regulations, our Check-in, Travel Documents & Tickets guide is a good place to check the details and avoid delays at check-in.
Getting your tickets is simple — enter your departure port, arrival port, and preferred travel date to see every fare and sailing available. From there, you can compare alternative routes and departure times to land on the best option for your trip.
Watch for early-bird pricing and flexible ticket formats, such as upgrades or flexi-fares that allow later changes or cancellations. Enter your details accurately, including passenger count and vehicle information, to keep your booking process smooth.
A confirmation email lands in your inbox the moment your booking is finalised. How your boarding pass gets issued from there depends on the specific ferry operator.
Certain operators release your boarding pass right after booking; others want you to check in once you reach the port. Where available, the Direct Ferries app lets you check in online ahead of time.
Ticket desks sit near the ferry terminal in most cases. Give yourself extra time before departure to collect your tickets and complete check-in without stress.
You'll need to present your confirmation email plus valid photo ID — a passport or identity card — at check-in. Pet owners should bring vaccination and insurance paperwork, and anyone using a resident discount should have proof of address on hand.
A handful of reasons can explain the lack of departures from Rethymno to Athens (Piraeus) on your selected date — timetable adjustments, sold-out sailings, or a seasonal gap are the usual culprits. Try a different date or browse other routes through our Route & Port finder.
Booking your Rethymno to Athens (Piraeus) ferry early usually pays off, both in terms of price and choice — earlier bookings tend to unlock better fares and more departure and cabin options.
A few weeks' notice is generally enough to catch the best deals, though fares can still move depending on the season and remaining availability.
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| Rethymno - Athens (Piraeus) Ferry Route Prices |
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| Rethymno - Athens (Piraeus) Ferry Route Summary | |
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| Origin | Crete |
| Destination | Athens |
| Distance | 0 Nautical Miles |
* Prices subject to change, pricing is taken from last 30 days, last updated 1 August 2026.
Located between the popular regions of Heraklion and Chania is the beautiful historic town of Rethymno, the third largest town on the island of Crete in Greece. Rethymno is a place of outstanding natural wealth and a variation of landscapes, with flourishing valleys, harsh mountains and rocky shores following long sandy beaches. The east side of the region is mostly mountainous while the northern and southern coasts are dotted with fabulous beaches which are pretty popular in summer. The city of Rethymno is one of the best preserved medieval towns in Greece, with Venetian fortification works, orthodox and catholic churches, mosques, grand Venetian mansions, arches and cobbled streets all together, creating this wondrous traditional atmosphere. The Venetian port is probably one of the most popular spots of the Town. This small port was of great strategic importance during the Venetian period and has undergone numerous constructions since 1300. Nowadays, the port is lined up by cafes and delicious restaurants where you can enjoy the secrets of the Cretan cuisine.
The port city of Piraeus can be found in the Attica region of Greece along the east coast of the Saronic Gulf about 12 km south west of Athens, the Greek capital. Piraeus is the largest ferry port in Europe and one of the largest in the world when it comes to passenger transportation with services provided by every major ferry company in Greece. Approximately 20 million passengers pass through its doors each year and the port provides the main link between the Greek mainland and the Aegean islands and Crete. Piraeus proves the gateway from the Greek mainland to all of the main holiday destinations in Greece and some of the less popular ones too. Piraeus is also famous for its football team – Olympiakos who regularly feature in the UEFA Champions League.
