Athens to Heraklion Ferry 2026: Overnight from €46.50
Piraeus → Heraklion overnight ferry ~8h 30m–9h 30m from €46.50. Daily year-round. Compare Minoan, ANEK & cabins for 2026.
Piraeus → Heraklion overnight ferry ~8h 30m–9h 30m from €46.50. Daily year-round. Compare Minoan, ANEK & cabins for 2026.
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8h 30m
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€46.50
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Every day
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The ferry from Piraeus to Heraklion takes about 8h 30m and fares start from €46.50. There are up to Every day crossings a day in high season, run by MINOAN LINES, ANEK Lines, Blue Star Ferries. Book online to compare departure times and secure the lowest fare.
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The Athens (Piraeus) to Heraklion ferry is one of the Cyclades' most popular connections, operating every day with journey times from 8h 30m to 9h 30m and tickets from €46.50. The route is served by MINOAN LINES, ANEK Lines, Blue Star Ferries, with vehicle transport available on conventional ferries. Service runs year-round.
Heraklion is celebrated for the legendary Palace of Knossos, the outstanding Archaeological Museum, vibrant city life, and access to Crete's stunning coastline. Arriving by ferry gives you a spectacular approach from the sea.
Insider Tip: For the best experience sailing to Heraklion, book a morning departure, you'll arrive with the whole day ahead of you. Shoulder season (May or late September) offers the sweet spot: fewer crowds, lower prices, and gorgeous warm weather. If you're traveling July–August, book tickets at least 4–6 weeks ahead.
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€46.50
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8h 30m
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€46.50
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8h 30m
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€46.50
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8h 30m
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| availability.table.month | availability.table.frequency | availability.table.duration | availability.table.from |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7 days per week | 9h 30m | €47 |
| February | 7 days per week | 9h 30m | €47 |
| March | 7 days per week | 9h 30m | €47 |
| April | 7 days per week | 8h 30m | €53 |
| May | 7 days per week | 8h 30m | €53 |
| June | 7 days per week | 8h 30m | €60 |
| July | 7 days per week | 8h 30m | €60 |
| August | 7 days per week | 8h 30m | €60 |
| September | 7 days per week | 8h 30m | €60 |
| October | 7 days per week | 8h 30m | €53 |
| November | 7 days per week | 9h 30m | €47 |
| December | 7 days per week | 9h 30m | €47 |
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| pricing.table.passengers | Piraeus → Heraklion | Heraklion → Piraeus |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Adult | €46.50 | €46.50 |
| 2 Adults | €93 | €93 |
| 2 Adults + Car | €232.50 | €232.50 |
| Family (2 Adults + 2 Children) | €140 | €140 |
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The Piraeus to Heraklion route is served by MINOAN LINES, ANEK Lines, Blue Star Ferries. Here's a detailed breakdown of each operator's offering:
Minoan Lines operates large conventional ferries on select Crete routes, primarily the Athens (Piraeus) to Milos service. Part of the Grimaldi Group, known for modern comfortable vessels.
Fleet: Large conventional ferries with full onboard services
ANEK Lines operates conventional ferries with spacious decks, restaurants, and cabin options on this route.
Blue Star Ferries is Greece's largest and most established conventional ferry operator, part of the Attica Group. With a modern fleet of large conventional vessels, Blue Star serves the most demanding Crete routes year-round, offering a complete onboard experience comparable to a short cruise.
Fleet: Large conventional ferries (Blue Star Delos, Blue Star Paros, Blue Star Naxos, Diagoras), carrying up to 2,400 passengers and 600 vehicles
| Operator | Ferry Type | Duration | Price From | Vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MINOAN LINES | Conventional | 8h 30m – 9h 30m | €46.50 | ✅ Yes |
| ANEK Lines | Conventional | 8h 30m – 9h 30m | €46.50 | ✅ Yes |
| Blue Star Ferries | Conventional | 8h 30m – 9h 30m | €46.50 | ✅ Yes |
Our recommendation: For the fastest crossing, choose a high-speed service. For more comfort, space, and the option to take your vehicle, go conventional. Both options are reliable, the right choice depends on your priorities.
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Ferries on the Piraeus to Heraklion route offer comfortable travel with a full range of onboard amenities. Here's what to expect from each operator:
Minoan Lines operates large conventional ferries on select Crete routes, primarily the Athens (Piraeus) to Milos service. Part of the Grimaldi Group, known for modern comfortable vessels.
Fleet on this route: Large conventional ferries with full onboard services
Seat & Cabin Classes: Deck class, economy indoor seats, business seats, and private cabin options.
Luggage Policy: Up to 50 kg per passenger, free of charge.
Pets: Pets accepted with valid documentation. Kennels and designated pet areas available.
Vehicles: Full vehicle garage, cars, motorbikes, campervans accepted. Book vehicle space early.
ANEK Lines operates conventional ferries with spacious lounges, outdoor sun decks, cafeteria, and cabin options. Vehicle transport is available, book your car space well in advance for summer sailings.
Luggage: Up to 50 kg per passenger, free of charge. Store bags in designated racks near your seat or cabin.
Pets: Pets accepted with valid health documentation. Small animals (under 10 kg) may travel with you; larger pets use designated areas on deck.
Blue Star Ferries is Greece's largest and most established conventional ferry operator, part of the Attica Group. With a modern fleet of large conventional vessels, Blue Star serves the most demanding Crete routes year-round, offering a complete onboard experience comparable to a short cruise.
Fleet on this route: Large conventional ferries (Blue Star Delos, Blue Star Paros, Blue Star Naxos, Diagoras), carrying up to 2,400 passengers and 600 vehicles
Seat & Cabin Classes: Deck Class: Open-air deck seating (cheapest). Economy Seats: Numbered airplane-style seats indoors. Business Class Seats: Premium reclining seats in quieter lounge. 4-Bed Cabin: Shared inside cabin. 2-Bed Cabin: Semi-private inside cabin. Exterior Cabin: Cabin with porthole window. Deluxe Cabin: Premium cabin with exterior window and en-suite bathroom.
Luggage Policy: Up to 50 kg of luggage per passenger, free of charge. No formal check-in required, store bags in designated luggage racks near your cabin or seat. Bicycles accepted for an additional fee (€5–8).
Pets: Pets accepted free when included in booking. Animals under 10 kg may stay with their owner in a carrier in designated pet-friendly areas. Larger pets are accommodated in kennels on the open deck or in dedicated pet cabins. Pets must wear a leash and muzzle on open decks. Valid health certificate and EU pet passport required.
Vehicles: All Blue Star vessels have vehicle garages accepting cars, motorcycles, campervans, and buses. Cars from €75–130 depending on route and season. Motorbikes from €20–35. Arrive at the port 60–90 minutes before departure for vehicle boarding, vehicle lanes are in a separate area from passenger embarkation.
All ferries on this route have clean restrooms, luggage storage areas, and food and beverage service. In peak season (July–August), we'd recommend reserving a specific seat or cabin class rather than traveling on an open deck ticket.
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Port of Piraeus is Athens' main ferry hub, located 15 km south of the city center and 45 km from Athens International Airport. Take Metro Line 1 (Green Line) to the last stop "Piraeus", about 40 minutes from Monastiraki. Taxis cost €20–25 from central Athens. For Crete ferries, head to Gates E7, E8, or E9, each operator uses a different gate, so check your ticket carefully. Arrive at least 30 minutes before departure (60–90 minutes if traveling with a vehicle). Free parking is limited; use the paid car parks near the port.
Arriving in Heraklion, Crete's vibrant capital greets you with the Venetian Koules fortress guarding the harbour entrance, one of the Mediterranean's most dramatic port arrivals. The city center, with the famous Archaeological Museum (housing the Minoan collection) and the market street 1866, is a 20-minute walk from the port. The Palace of Knossos is 5 km away by bus. Heraklion has excellent tavernas in the El Greco Park area. Car rentals available near the port for exploring Crete.
Book your Piraeus to Heraklion ferry tickets as early as possible for July and August sailings, popular departures sell out weeks in advance. Use Ferryhopper to compare all operators and prices in real time. For the best fares, travel Tuesday–Thursday and avoid Greek public holidays.
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After arriving in Heraklion, extend your Cretan adventure with these popular onward ferry connections:
3-Island Express (4–5 days): Spend 1–2 days in Heraklion, then ferry to Santorini for 1 day, and continue to Mykonos for 1–2 days before returning to Athens. Total: a perfect Crete sampler that packs in three distinct island personalities.
Use our ferry search engine to find the best schedules and prices for your multi-island itinerary, or browse our island hopping guides for curated route inspiration.
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The ferry from Piraeus to Heraklion takes between 8h 30m and 9h 30m, depending on the vessel type and operator. High-speed catamarans offer the fastest crossing at approximately 8h 30m, while conventional ferries take up to 9h 30m but offer more spacious travel with outdoor decks, cafeterias, and cabin options. Journey times may be slightly longer in winter due to sea conditions.
Ferry tickets from Piraeus to Heraklion start from €46.50 for a standard economy seat in low season. Prices vary by operator, seat class, and time of year, peak season (July–August) fares are typically 25–35% higher. Business class seats and private cabins cost more. Families can save by booking a 4-berth cabin. Use Ferryhopper to compare all available fares in real time.
Ferries operate every day during the main season (Jan - Dec). In peak summer (July–August), there may be multiple daily sailings. Service can be reduced or suspended during winter months on some routes. The route is served by MINOAN LINES, ANEK Lines, Blue Star Ferries. Check the latest schedules on Ferryhopper for exact departure times.
Yes, conventional ferries on this route have vehicle garages and can carry cars, motorcycles, campervans, and even buses. Vehicle spaces are limited and sell out fast in summer, so book at least 4–6 weeks ahead if you're traveling July–August. High-speed catamarans on this route generally don't carry vehicles. Arrive at the port at least 60–90 minutes before departure when traveling with a vehicle.
The best time to visit Heraklion is late May through early October. June and September offer the ideal balance: warm swimming weather, lower prices than peak season, fewer crowds, and the best ferry connections. July–August is peak season, the most lively but also the most crowded and expensive. May is an excellent shoulder month with pleasant weather and very few tourists. Heraklion is known for the legendary Palace of Knossos, the outstanding Archaeological Museum, vibrant city life, and access to Crete's stunning coastline.
The route is served by MINOAN LINES, ANEK Lines, Blue Star Ferries. For the fastest crossing, choose a high-speed service (typically Seajets or Golden Star). For most comfort or if you're traveling with a vehicle, choose a conventional ferry (Blue Star Ferries or similar). For the best price, compare all options on Ferryhopper, prices can vary significantly by departure time and booking lead time.
The easiest way to book is through Ferryhopper, the leading Greek ferry booking platform. Simply enter your departure port, destination, and travel date to see all available sailings, compare prices across operators, and book securely online. Tickets are delivered by email and can be used on your phone. You can also book directly on each operator's website, but Ferryhopper shows all options in one place for easy comparison.
Yes, with journey times up to 9h 30m, overnight or late-evening departures are available on conventional ferry services. Overnight ferries offer cabin options (2-bed, 4-bed, or deluxe cabins with private bathroom) so you'll sleep during the crossing and wake up at your destination. This is a great way to save a night's accommodation. Book your cabin class specifically when purchasing, cabin berths sell out quickly, especially in summer.
Ferryhopper · live
Real-time sailings from Ferryhopper. Prices are per adult passenger.