Ferry from Diafani (Karpathos) to Heraklion (Crete)
8h 20m · from €17.00 · 1 operator
Diafani to Heraklion at a glance
Ferries from Diafani (Karpathos) to Heraklion (Crete) are scheduled 2 times over the next 14 days, about once a week. Departures in that window are at 12:50. The crossing takes 8h 20m. The route is served by 1 operator: Blue Star Ferries. Published fares start from €17.00 on a conventional ferry. There are sailings on Sunday during the next fortnight. Operators have published this timetable as far as 28 February 2027.
Tickets from
| Conventional ferry | €17.00 | Book now |
|---|---|---|
| ECO Seat | €17.00 | Book now |
| AB42 Cabin | €51.00 | Book now |
Lowest published figure for each kind of ticket, one way. The price you pay depends on the sailing and the date you choose.
Operators have published this route's timetable to 28 February 2027. Sailings beyond that date have not been announced yet.
Diafani to Heraklion through the year
Over the last 12 months it ran all year, busiest in November (about once a week).
Sailings a day, last 12 months
Tap a month to see how it ran
Month by month
| Month | Sailings | Days with a sailing | How often |
|---|---|---|---|
| November 2025 | 5 | 5 of 30 | about once a week |
| December 2025 | 4 | 4 of 31 | about once a week |
| January 2026 | 4 | 4 of 31 | about once a week |
| February 2026 | 4 | 4 of 28 | about once a week |
| March 2026 | 5 | 5 of 31 | about once a week |
| April 2026 | 4 | 4 of 30 | about once a week |
| May 2026 | 4 | 4 of 31 | about once a week |
| June 2026 | 4 | 4 of 30 | about once a week |
| July 2026 | 4 | 4 of 31 | about once a week |
| August 2026 | 5 | 5 of 31 | about once a week |
| September 2026 | 5 | 4 of 30 | about once a week |
| October 2026 | 4 | 4 of 31 | about once a week |
November 2025 · this month, a year ago
December 2025 · this month, a year ago
January 2026 · this month, a year ago
February 2026 · this month, a year ago
March 2026 · this month, a year ago
April 2026 · this month, a year ago
May 2026 · this month, a year ago
June 2026 · this month, a year ago
July 2026 · this month, a year ago
August 2026 · this month, a year ago
September 2026 · this month, a year ago
October 2026 · this month, a year ago
These are the sailings we recorded on this route from November 2025 to October 2026. They show what ran then, not a forecast: timetables change from year to year.
Diafani to Heraklion Route Map
Diafani to Heraklion is a long southwesterly run with Blue Star Ferries aboard the Blue Star Chios, taking around eight hours with calls at Karpathos and Kasos or Sitia along the way. It is a conventional ferry, so there is a restaurant, indoor seating and open deck for what is a full working day at sea. The first stretch down the east coast of Karpathos is the scenic part.
Heraklion is the capital and largest city of Crete, a busy commercial and administrative hub with a Venetian old town at its heart. The Koules fortress stands at the old harbour entrance next to the restored Venetian arsenali, and the Archaeological Museum and the Palace of Knossos are the standard first stops. It is one of Greece's busiest ports and airports, so onward connections are easy.
Sailings on this pairing run around once a week and only in the summer months. The current timetable and fares are shown below. From Heraklion there are nightly ferries to Piraeus and frequent buses along the north coast of Crete.
Weekly Diafani to Heraklion Ferry Schedule
What each ferry company has published for the four weeks from 13 November 2026 to 10 December 2026: the days it sails and its departure times from Diafani.
Blue Star Ferries
Book Blue Star Ferries tickets| Days | Departs |
|---|---|
| 12:50 |
Book ferry port and airport transfers here: Welcome Pickups →
Sailings already published, month by month
The operators have published sailings on this route from 15 November 2026 to 28 February 2027. Times this far ahead can still change, so check your date before you book.
- November 2026: sails on 3 of the 16 days from 15 November, 1 sailing a day on those days. Departs 12:50. Fastest crossing 8h 20m. Conventional ferries: Blue Star Ferries.
- December 2026: sails on 4 of 31 days, 1 sailing a day on those days. Earliest departure 12:50, latest 16:50. Fastest crossing 8h 20m. Conventional ferries: Blue Star Ferries.
- January 2027: sails on 5 of 31 days, 1 sailing a day on those days. Earliest departure 12:50, latest 16:50. Fastest crossing 8h 20m. Conventional ferries: Blue Star Ferries.
- February 2027: sails on 4 of 28 days, 1 sailing a day on those days. Departs 12:50. Fastest crossing 8h 20m. Conventional ferries: Blue Star Ferries.
Diafani to Heraklion Ferry Fares
Lowest fare by vessel class
From €17.00 on a conventional ferry. A high-speed crossing and a conventional one are different products at different prices, so they are listed separately rather than reduced to a single figure.
| Vessel class | From | Operator | Vessel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conventional ferry | €17.00 | Blue Star Ferries | Blue Star Chios |
Ticket classes by operator
Prices for a single adult or vehicle, one way: the cheapest fare on sale for each ticket type, from the operators’ booking systems or published price lists. Fares change, so check the price when you book.
Blue Star Ferries
| Ticket type | Category | Fare |
|---|---|---|
| AB42 Cabin | cabin | €51.00 |
| AB43 Cabin | cabin | €51.00 |
| AB44 Cabin | cabin | €51.00 |
| AB4PET2 Cabin | cabin | €51.00 |
| AB4PET3 Cabin | cabin | €51.00 |
| AB4PET4 Cabin | cabin | €51.00 |
| A43 Cabin | cabin | €63.00 |
| A44 Cabin | cabin | €63.00 |
| A4PET3 Cabin | cabin | €63.00 |
| A4PET4 Cabin | cabin | €63.00 |
| A22 Cabin | cabin | €64.50 |
| A42 Cabin | cabin | €64.50 |
| A4PET2 Cabin | cabin | €64.50 |
| AB4PET1 Cabin | cabin | €66.00 |
| A21 Cabin | cabin | €84.00 |
| A4PET1 Cabin | cabin | €84.00 |
| ECO Seat | passenger | €17.00 |
| ATS3 Seat | passenger | €19.00 |
| Vehicles (cars, motorbikes) | vehicle | price not published: check with the operator |
Hiring a car
Can you rent a car in Heraklion?
Yes. Heraklion's ferry port sits about 1km from the centre, an easy walk or short taxi ride, and several rental firms have desks right at the harbour or nearby in town. The city itself is compact enough on foot, but a car pays off once you want to reach Knossos, the south coast or the Lasithi plateau, where buses run less often. Check rates at Discover Cars.
Next 14 days
Every scheduled departure from Diafani to Heraklion between 13 November 2026 and 26 November 2026.
| Date | Departs | Arrives | Duration | Vessel | Operator |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun 15 November | 12:50 | 21:10 | 8h 20m | Blue Star Chios | Blue Star Ferries |
| Sun 22 November | 12:50 | 21:10 | 8h 20m | Blue Star Chios | Blue Star Ferries |
Frequently Asked Questions
How often do ferries run from Diafani to Heraklion?
Ferries from Diafani (Karpathos) to Heraklion (Crete) are scheduled 2 times over the next 14 days, about once a week. In that fortnight there are departures on Sunday. Operators have published this route's timetable as far as 28 February 2027, and nothing beyond that date has been announced yet.
Are there ferries from Diafani to Heraklion today?
No, there are no scheduled departures from Diafani (Karpathos) to Heraklion (Crete) today. The next sailing in the published timetable is on 15 November 2026, at 12:50. Departures fall on Sunday.
How many ferries run from Diafani to Heraklion this week?
1 sailing from Diafani (Karpathos) to Heraklion (Crete) is scheduled over the next seven days, about one a day on the days it runs.
What time is the first ferry from Diafani to Heraklion?
Ferries from Diafani (Karpathos) to Heraklion (Crete) leave at 12:50.
How long is the ferry from Diafani to Heraklion?
The crossing from Diafani (Karpathos) to Heraklion (Crete) takes 8h 20m.
How much does the Diafani to Heraklion ferry cost?
Published fares for the Diafani (Karpathos) to Heraklion (Crete) ferry start from €17.00 on a conventional ferry. A cabin berth is published from €51.00. The figure you pay depends on the vessel, the ticket class and the date you travel.
Which ferry companies operate the Diafani to Heraklion route?
The Diafani (Karpathos) to Heraklion (Crete) route is served by Blue Star Ferries. Crossings run on conventional ferries.
Tips for the Diafani to Heraklion ferry
- Wheeled suitcases are harder to manage on steep gangways and across uneven docksides than backpacks; a soft-sided bag with carry handles is a practical compromise.
- If you need a taxi on arrival at a small island, the queue can be long when a ferry docks – consider pre-booking or walking to your accommodation if it is nearby.
- Return tickets on the same operator are sometimes cheaper than two separate one-way fares – compare both options before confirming.
- Heraklion serves as the main gateway to Crete, with the legendary Palace of Knossos – the centre of Minoan civilisation – just a short drive from the city centre. The city's Archaeological Museum houses one of the most important collections of Minoan artefacts in the world, and wine tours into the surrounding region are a popular option.
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