Santorini to Heraklion Ferry 2026: From €12 in ~1h 35m
Santorini (Athinios) → Heraklion ferry from €12 in ~1h 35m–3h. Multiple weekly sailings. Book Crete arrivals for 2026.
Santorini (Athinios) → Heraklion ferry from €12 in ~1h 35m–3h. Multiple weekly sailings. Book Crete arrivals for 2026.
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1h 35m
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€12.00
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3-5 times per week
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The ferry from Santorini to Heraklion takes about 1h 35m and fares start from €12.00. There are up to 3-5 times per week crossings a day in high season, run by Blue Star Ferries, Seajets. Book online to compare departure times and secure the lowest fare.
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The Santorini (Thira) to Heraklion ferry is one of the Cyclades' most popular connections, operating 3-5 times per week with journey times from 1h 35m to 2h 51m and tickets from €12.00. The route is served by Blue Star Ferries, Seajets, 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: The Santorini to Heraklion crossing is one of the Aegean's most scenic routes. Grab a seat on the outdoor deck for unbeatable sea views. Traveling mid-week usually means emptier ferries and a more relaxed arrival. In peak season, book at least 2–3 weeks in advance to secure your preferred departure time.
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operators.conventional
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€12.00
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1h 35m
operators.highSpeed
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€12.00
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1h 35m
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3-5 times per week
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1h 35m
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€12.00
3-5 times per week
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1h 35m
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€12.00
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| availability.table.month | availability.table.frequency | availability.table.duration | availability.table.from |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 3 days per week | 2h 51m | €12 |
| February | 3 days per week | 2h 51m | €12 |
| March | 3 days per week | 2h 51m | €12 |
| April | 4 days per week | 1h 35m | €14 |
| May | 4 days per week | 1h 35m | €14 |
| June | 5 days per week | 1h 35m | €16 |
| July | 5 days per week | 1h 35m | €16 |
| August | 5 days per week | 1h 35m | €16 |
| September | 5 days per week | 1h 35m | €16 |
| October | 4 days per week | 1h 35m | €14 |
| November | 3 days per week | 2h 51m | €12 |
| December | 3 days per week | 2h 51m | €12 |
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| pricing.table.passengers | Santorini → Heraklion | Heraklion → Santorini |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Adult | €12.00 | €12.00 |
| 2 Adults | €24 | €24 |
| 2 Adults + Car | €60 | €60 |
| Family (2 Adults + 2 Children) | €36 | €36 |
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The Santorini to Heraklion route is served by Blue Star Ferries, Seajets. Here's a detailed breakdown of each operator's offering:
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
Seajets is Greece's leading high-speed ferry operator, known for the fastest crossings across the Cyclades. Their fleet of modern catamarans and high-speed monohulls dramatically reduces travel times compared to conventional ferries, making them the top choice for travelers prioritizing speed.
Fleet: High-speed catamarans and monohulls (Worldchampion Jet, Champion Jet 3, Supercat Jet, Olympic Champion Jet), carrying 250–900 passengers, some with limited vehicle capacity
| Operator | Ferry Type | Duration | Price From | Vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Star Ferries | Conventional | 1h 35m – 2h 51m | €12.00 | ✅ Yes |
| Seajets | High-Speed | 1h 35m – 2h 51m | €12.00 | ⚡ Limited |
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 Santorini to Heraklion route offer comfortable travel with a full range of onboard amenities. Here's what to expect from each operator:
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.
Seajets is Greece's leading high-speed ferry operator, known for the fastest crossings across the Cyclades. Their fleet of modern catamarans and high-speed monohulls dramatically reduces travel times compared to conventional ferries, making them the top choice for travelers prioritizing speed.
Fleet on this route: High-speed catamarans and monohulls (Worldchampion Jet, Champion Jet 3, Supercat Jet, Olympic Champion Jet), carrying 250–900 passengers, some with limited vehicle capacity
Seat & Cabin Classes: Economy Seats: Numbered airline-style seats (standard). Business Class: Premium seats in quieter forward cabin with extra legroom. First Class / VIP: Available on select vessels, premium lounge with dedicated service. No sleeping cabins on high-speed vessels.
Luggage Policy: Up to 50 kg per passenger, free of charge. On high-speed catamarans, luggage is stored in overhead bins or designated racks, no large oversize items. All luggage must fit in designated storage areas.
Pets: Pets accepted free when included in booking. Animals under 10 kg stay with owner in a carrier in the passenger cabin. Larger pets use kennels in the vehicle area. Health certificate required. Note: on rough sea days, pets in the vehicle area may experience more motion.
Vehicles: Selected Seajets vessels carry vehicles, check the specific sailing when booking. Car rates from €35–70. Motorcycles from €10–20. Many Seajets catamaran services are passenger-only, if vehicle transport is essential, verify before booking.
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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Athinios Port is Santorini's main ferry terminal, on the island's southwest coast, 8 km from Fira and 20 km from Oia. Buses from Fira central station to the port run regularly (€1.80, ~20 minutes), confirm timetable locally as it changes seasonally. Taxis cost €12–18 from Fira, €25–35 from Oia. In peak season (July–August), arrive at least 60 minutes early, the port road gets severely congested. The port has a café, ATM, and luggage storage. Vehicles must book ferry space in advance.
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 4–6 weeks ahead for July–August departures, especially for cabins and vehicle spaces, these sell out first. Economy seats remain available longer. Off-season (November–March) you can usually book a week ahead. Use Ferryhopper.com for instant price comparison across operators.
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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 Santorini to Heraklion takes between 1h 35m and 2h 51m, depending on the vessel type and operator. High-speed catamarans offer the fastest crossing at approximately 1h 35m, while conventional ferries take up to 2h 51m 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 Santorini to Heraklion start from €12.00 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 3-5 times per week 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 Blue Star Ferries, Seajets. 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 Blue Star Ferries, Seajets. 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.
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