Athens to Crete Ferry Alternatives
Travel Advice
May 19, 2026
Athens to Crete Ferry Alternatives
The ferry from Athens to Crete is one of the most popular routes in Greece. Piraeus, the main port of Athens, operates regular overnight and daytime sailings to multiple ports across Crete, making it easy to reach Greece's largest island without stepping on a plane.
But the key question for most travelers isn't how to get to Crete. It's which port of Crete to arrive at. The island stretches over 160 miles from east to west, so choosing between Heraklion and Chania can make a difference to your trip. Here are some of your options below.
Comparison: Athens to Crete Ferry Routes
| Route | Duration | Price (from) | Frequency | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Piraeus to Heraklion | 9 hours 30 minutes | 39 $* | 24 weekly sailings | Most frequent departures; eastern Crete |
| Piraeus to Chania (Souda) | 9 hours 25 minutes | 62 $* | 8 weekly sailings | Western Crete; Chania, Rethymno, Samaria Gorge |
*Excluding booking fees
Piraeus: Athens' Gateway to Crete
Piraeus is the best place for ferry travel between the Greek mainland and Crete. Both of the main ports in Crete, Heraklion and Chania, are served directly from Piraeus, with sailings typically departing in the late evening and arriving early the following morning. This makes the overnight ferry one of the most practical ways to travel: you not only save on a night's accommodation, but you also wake up with the full day ahead of you.
Ferries from Piraeus to Crete are operated by Minoan Lines, Blue Star Ferries and SeaJets and provide a range of berth and cabin options. However, flights between Athens and Crete are frequent and often inexpensive, so the ferry vs. flight decision is certainly worth considering, particularly if you are not traveling with a vehicle.
Alternative Routes
Piraeus to Heraklion Ferry
Heraklion is the capital of Crete and its busiest port, making the Piraeus to Heraklion ferry the most frequently operated ferry route on the island. Heraklion is the most convenient base for exploring central and eastern Crete, with direct access to the Palace of Knossos, the Archaeological Museum, and the popular beach resorts of Malia and Elounda.
With the highest number of weekly sailings of any Crete route, Heraklion offers the most flexibility for booking. The port is well connected to the rest of the island by bus and car rental, and the city itself has a lively dining and nightlife scene worth exploring before or after your ferry crossing.
| Getting to Piraeus from central Athens |
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| Ideal for |
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| Nearby attractions | The Minoan Palace of Knossos; the Heraklion Archaeological Museum; the Venetian fortress of Koules; and the beach resorts of Elounda and Agios Nikolaos to the east |
| Travel types | Ferries from Piraeus to Heraklion accommodate:
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Piraeus to Chania (Souda) Ferry
For those heading to western Crete, the Piraeus to Chania ferry is the smarter choice. Ferries arrive at Souda Bay, located just 7 km from Chania town, one of the most beautiful and well-preserved Venetian harbor towns in the Mediterranean. Western Crete is a distinctly different experience from the busier tourist strip around Heraklion. It’s often quieter, more rugged, and home to some of the island's most dramatic landscapes.
Arriving at Souda puts you within easy reach of Chania's old town, the spectacular Samaria Gorge, the pink-sand beach of Elafonissi, and the unspoiled Sfakia coastline. It also positions you not far from Rethymno, which is situated approximately halfway between Chania and Heraklion and is easily reached by road. If your itinerary leans west, sailing to Chania saves hours of driving compared to arriving at Heraklion port.
| Getting to Piraeus from central Athens |
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| Ideal for |
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| Nearby attractions | Chania's Venetian harbor and old town; the Samaria Gorge (Europe's longest gorge); the pink-sand beach of Elafonissi; and the White Mountains (Lefka Ori) |
| Travel types | Ferries from Piraeus to Chania accommodate:
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Overnight Ferries vs. Flights: Which is Better for Crete?
Athens to Crete is one of the few Greek island ferries where flights offer strong competition to the ferry. Direct flights from Athens International Airport to Heraklion or Chania take under an hour and can be quite cheap, particularly outside of peak season.
However, by taking an overnight ferry from Athens to Crete, you effectively travel for free in terms of time, sleeping through the journey while avoiding the expense of a hotel. Factor in the ability to bring your vehicle, the comfort of a private cabin, and the experience of arriving by sea, and the overnight ferry holds its own against the convenience of flying. For foot passengers on a tight schedule, though, a flight is a good choice.
Which Ferry Route is Right for Me?
| Most frequent departures | Piraeus to Heraklion |
| Best for eastern Crete | Piraeus to Heraklion |
| Best for western Crete | Piraeus to Chania (Souda) |
| Best for Rethymno | Either port (roughly equidistant by road) |
| Best value overnight option | Piraeus to Heraklion or Chania (saves a hotel night) |
| Best flight alternative | Overnight ferry with cabin (comparable cost, more comfortable for families and vehicle travelers) |
Book Your Athens to Crete Ferry
Piraeus gives you direct access to both of Crete's main ferry ports, and the right choice comes down to where on the island you plan to spend your time. Heraklion wins on frequency and is the better arrival point for central and eastern Crete, whereas Chania is the clear choice for the west.
Wherever you choose to visit in Crete, the overnight ferry remains one of the great practical pleasures of Greek travel. Compare all sailings with Direct Ferries and book your ferry tickets today.