Ferry from Heraklion (Crete) to Diafani (Karpathos)
7h 50m ยท 1 operator
Heraklion to Diafani at a glance
Ferries from Heraklion (Crete) to Diafani (Karpathos) are scheduled 2 times over the next 14 days, roughly one a week. Departures in that window are at 05:30. The crossing takes 7h 50m. The route is served by 1 operator: Blue Star Ferries. There are sailings on Saturday during the next fortnight. Operators have published this timetable as far as 31 October 2026.
Operators have published this route's timetable to 31 October 2026. Sailings beyond that date have not been announced yet.
Heraklion to Diafani Route Map
Blue Star Ferries' Blue Star Chios runs from Heraklio to Diafani in around seven and three quarter hours, a long conventional crossing east from Crete into the Dodecanese. Diafani is one of the more unusual calls on the line, a small harbour on the northeast coast of Karpathos rather than the island's main port. The ship has cabins, lounges and a vehicle deck, which makes the length of the crossing manageable.
Diafani is a sleepy fishing village backed by pine-covered hills, and one of the least developed ports in the Dodecanese. Almost everyone arriving is heading up to Olympos, the mountain village above it where traditional dress, dialect and windmills have survived, reached either by the mountain road or on foot along the old trail. Small boats also run down the coast to Karpathos Town.
Ferries call here roughly once a week, so it is a route to build a trip around rather than a casual option. Current departures and fares are shown below. Anyone who cannot make the dates work can reach Diafani from Pigadia by road or by the local boat in season.
Heraklion to Diafani Ferry Fares
No published fares for this route yet.
Weekly Heraklion to Diafani 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 | 13:20 | 7h 50m | 2026-08-22 to 2026-10-31 | Book the Blue Star Chios sailing |
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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 Diafani between 24 August 2026 and 6 September 2026.
| Date | Departs | Arrives | Duration | Vessel | Operator |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 2026-08-29 | 05:30 | 13:20 | 7h 50m | Blue Star Chios | Blue Star Ferries |
| Sat 2026-09-05 | 05:30 | 13:20 | 7h 50m | Blue Star Chios | Blue Star Ferries |
Frequently Asked Questions
How often do ferries run from Heraklion to Diafani?
Ferries from Heraklion (Crete) to Diafani (Karpathos) 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 Diafani today?
No, there are no scheduled departures from Heraklion (Crete) to Diafani (Karpathos) 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 Diafani this week?
1 sailing from Heraklion (Crete) to Diafani (Karpathos) 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 Diafani?
Scheduled departures from Heraklion (Crete) to Diafani (Karpathos) leave at 05:30.
How long is the ferry from Heraklion to Diafani?
The crossing from Heraklion (Crete) to Diafani (Karpathos) takes 7h 50m.
Which ferry companies operate the Heraklion to Diafani route?
The Heraklion (Crete) to Diafani (Karpathos) route is served by Blue Star Ferries. Crossings run on conventional ferries.
Tips for the Heraklion to Diafani 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.
- Always cross-check your ticket details – date, vessel name, passenger count, and vehicle details – before the cancellation window closes.
- Washing clothes at island laundries (found on almost every inhabited island) means you can travel with less; a 3–4 day supply of clothing is usually enough.
Plan a journey
Search for a connection between any two Greek ports, including journeys that need a change.
