Ferry from Heraklion (Crete) to Chalki (Halki)
9h 35m · from €20.00 · 1 operator
Heraklion to Chalki at a glance
Ferries from Heraklion (Crete) to Chalki (Halki) are scheduled 2 times over the next 14 days, roughly one a week. Departures in that window are at 05:30. The crossing takes 9h 35m. The route is served by 1 operator: Blue Star Ferries. Published fares start from €20.00. There are sailings on Saturday during the next fortnight. Operators have published this timetable as far as 31 October 2026.
Tickets from
| Standard ticket | €20.00 | 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 31 October 2026. Sailings beyond that date have not been announced yet.
Heraklion to Chalki Route Map
Blue Star Ferries' Blue Star Chios runs from Heraklio to Chalki in around nine and a half hours, calling at ports in eastern Crete and the southern Dodecanese along the way. Fares start around €20. It is a conventional ferry with cabins and seating lounges, and the crossing is long enough that a reserved seat is worth having.
Chalki is a very small island just off the west coast of Rhodes, with a permanent population of only a few hundred. Ferries arrive at Emborio, which is effectively the island's only town, its pastel neoclassical houses lining a small and unusually pretty harbour. There is little to do beyond swimming, walking and eating, and no real road network to speak of, which is the appeal.
Ferries call about once a week on this line, so the sailing needs planning around rather than assuming. Current departures and fares are listed below. Most visitors reach Chalki on the short local crossing from Skala Kamirou on Rhodes, which runs far more often.
Heraklion to Chalki Ferry Fares
Tickets from €20.00.
Weekly Heraklion to Chalki Ferry Schedule
The repeating pattern behind the dated timetable, without dates. Each row is one scheduled departure and the days it runs.
| Operator | Vessel | Days | Departs | Arrives | Duration | From | Season | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Star Ferries | Blue Star Chios conventional | 05:30 | 15:05 | 9h 35m | 2026-08-22 to 2026-10-31 | Book the Blue Star Chios sailing |
Book ferry port and airport transfers here: Welcome Pickups →
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 Heraklion to Chalki between 24 August 2026 and 6 September 2026.
| Date | Departs | Arrives | Duration | Vessel | Operator |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 2026-08-29 | 05:30 | 15:05 | 9h 35m | Blue Star Chios | Blue Star Ferries |
| Sat 2026-09-05 | 05:30 | 15:05 | 9h 35m | Blue Star Chios | Blue Star Ferries |
Frequently Asked Questions
How often do ferries run from Heraklion to Chalki?
Ferries from Heraklion (Crete) to Chalki (Halki) are scheduled 2 times over the next 14 days, roughly one a week. In that fortnight there are departures on Saturday. Operators have published this route's timetable as far as 31 October 2026, and nothing beyond that date has been announced yet.
Are there ferries from Heraklion to Chalki today?
No, there are no scheduled departures from Heraklion (Crete) to Chalki (Halki) today. The next sailing in the published timetable is on 29 August 2026, at 05:30. Departures fall on Saturday.
How many ferries run from Heraklion to Chalki this week?
1 sailing from Heraklion (Crete) to Chalki (Halki) is scheduled over the next seven days, typically 1 a day on the days it runs.
What time is the first ferry from Heraklion to Chalki?
Scheduled departures from Heraklion (Crete) to Chalki (Halki) leave at 05:30.
How long is the ferry from Heraklion to Chalki?
The crossing from Heraklion (Crete) to Chalki (Halki) takes 9h 35m.
How much does the Heraklion to Chalki ferry cost?
Published fares for the Heraklion (Crete) to Chalki (Halki) ferry start from €20.00. The figure you pay depends on the vessel, the ticket class and the date you travel.
Which ferry companies operate the Heraklion to Chalki route?
The Heraklion (Crete) to Chalki (Halki) route is served by Blue Star Ferries. Crossings run on conventional ferries.
Tips for the Heraklion to Chalki ferry
- Arrive at Heraklion port at least 45 minutes before departure if you already hold an e-ticket – if you are travelling with a car, allow 60 to 90 minutes, as vehicles queue and board separately from foot passengers.
- Buy your ferry ticket online in advance rather than at the port – ticket kiosks at Heraklion only open a few hours before each departure, and Santorini's high-speed services sell out in summer.
- For the Santorini day-boats, SeaJets asks passengers to be at the terminal 30 minutes before sailing – expect heavy congestion and longer check-in queues on summer mornings.
- Seasickness wristbands (acupressure) help some travellers and have no side effects – worth trying if you prefer not to take tablets.
- A light cardigan or jacket is still useful in summer – the spray and wind on open deck can make even a 30°C day feel cool when the vessel is at speed.
Plan a journey
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