Heraklion (Crete) to Athens (Piraeus) ferry

The Heraklion Athens ferry route connects Crete with Athens and is currently operated by 3 ferry companies. Minoan Lines operate their crossing up to 12 times per week, Anek Lines 1 times per week & the Anek Superfast service is available up to 7 times per week.

There are a combined 20 sailings available per week on the Heraklion Piraeus crossing between Crete and Athens and with 3 ferry companies on offer it is advisable to compare all to make sure you get the best fare at the time that you want to travel.

Can you travel by high-speed ferry from Heraklion (Crete) to Athens (Piraeus)?

Yes, you can take a fast ferry from Heraklion to Athens. Fast ferry duration ranges between 8h 35m and 8h 45m. Minoan Lines and Anek Superfast are popular ferry operators offering high speed ferries to Athens from Heraklion. The fastest ferry from Heraklion to Athens is with Minoan Lines in 8h 35m.

Heraklion to Athens (Piraeus) Ferry Alternatives

For more information, please visit our Ferries from Crete to Athens page.

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Crete (Heraklion) - Athens (Piraeus) Route summary
Departure Country	Greece
Destination Country	Greece
No. of Operators	2
Operators	Blue Star Ferries & SeaJets
Average Price	£92*
Average Daily Sailings	1
Average Weekly Sailings	8
Average Sailing Duration	9h 33m
Fastest Sailing Duration	7h 30m
First Ferry	04:30
Last Ferry	23:45
Distance	168 nautical miles

* Prices subject to change, pricing is taken from last 30 days, last updated 2024-11-05.

How long is the ferry from Heraklion to Piraeus?

The ferry crossing time from Heraklion to Piraeus is approximately 9h 16m. Sailing durations may vary from season to season and by operator so we’d advise doing a live check.

How much is the ferry from Heraklion to Piraeus?

Heraklion to Piraeus ferry price can differ depending on the season. The average price of a ferry from Heraklion to Piraeus is £128. Price exclusive of booking fees.

Which ferry companies operate between Heraklion to Piraeus?

There are 5 popular ferry operators for Heraklion to Piraeus. These are

Minoan Lines
Anek Superfast
Anek Superfast
Cyclades Fast Ferries
SeaJets

How can I book ferry tickets from Heraklion to Piraeus?

Book ferries from Heraklion to Piraeus through our deal finder and check our offers page to view the latest ferry offers.

How far is Piraeus from Heraklion?

The distance between Heraklion to Piraeus is approximately 168 nautical Miles.

Heraklion Athens (Piraeus) Ferry reviews

"Excellent ferry "

We rented a cabin, everything was clean and worth every cent. There is plenty of restaurants and areas to keep kids occupied. I would definitely come with Minoan in the future.

'Knossos Palace' travelled on Knossos Palace
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"ATHENS TO Heraklion "

Very relaxing crossing. Comfy cabin and well priced food and beer.

'Festos Palace' travelled on Festos Palace
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"Excellent trip"

Professional, friendly, good food and service, clean well run ship

'Festos Palace' travelled on Festos Palace
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"Great trip"

Night time passage. Cabin was excellent, restaurant served good food at a reasonable cost. All very clean and bright

'Festos Palace' travelled on Festos Palace
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Heraklion Guide

The Greek city of Heraklion is the capital and largest city on the island of Crete. A popular visitor attraction near the city is Knossos, which is around 5 km from Heraklion. This important archaeological site was the Palace of King Minos and home to the Minotaur, if legend is to be believed. The palace was built over the remains of a former Neolithic settlement in around 1900 BC.

An important attraction in the city itself is the Archaeological Museum which can be found on one corner of the central Eleftherias Square, in a converted power station. The museum collects and displays many artefacts from Knossos, Archanes, Phaestos, Zakros and many other important archaeological sites on the island. The museum's collection spans several thousand years and includes the Phaestos disc, classic Hellenic and Roman sculptures, frescos, jewellery, wall paintings and pottery.

Visitors to Heraklion can take a ferry from the port, which is important for both passenger services and cargo, to destinations including Santorini, Ios, Paros, Mykonos and Rhodes. There are also daily sailings to the mainland port of Piraeus.

Athens (Piraeus) Guide

The Greek city and port of Piraeus is one of the largest ports in the whole of the Mediterranean, and the third largest in the world, and has become a major hub for the ferry network that spans the Aegean Sea. Piraeus is an important city in its own right despite the fact that it is frequently considered to be a suburb of Athens, the Greek capital, which is only a very short distance away. Despite its proximity to Athens, Piraeus' waterfront has its own distinct appearance and visitors will see that the most appealing parts of the city are located around its eastern quarter, alongside both Mikrolimano Harbour and Zea Marina. A popular event in Piraeus is the Ecocinema International Film Festival which is held annually in late February and is where a number of films are screened at the Atticon Cinema and the Cineac Cinema, which are both located in the city's Town Hall Square.

Full of restaurants, bars and nightclubs, the waterfront district was greatly redeveloped in time for the Athens Olympics and as a result a new harbour front promenade was created that is lined with trees and passes the medieval city walls. The walls serve as a reminder and as an insight into the city's rich past.

Heraklion to Piraeus Ferry Timetables

Ferry Timetables between 16/12/2024 and 22/12/2024

Operator	Departure Time	Arrival Time	Duration	Sailing Days
Blue Star Ferries	04:30	13:35	9 hours 5 minutes	Sat
Blue Star Ferries	07:00	17:30	10 hours 30 minutes	Mon
Blue Star Ferries	09:00	17:45	8 hours 45 minutes	Mon
Minoan Lines	09:30	18:45	9 hours 15 minutes	Sun
Blue Star Ferries	21:00	06:15	9 hours 15 minutes	Everyday
Minoan Lines	21:00	06:30	9 hours 30 minutes	Everyday