Ferry from Heraklion (Crete) to Karpathos (Pigadia)
6h 30m to 6h 35m · 1 operator
Heraklion to Karpathos at a glance
Ferries from Heraklion (Crete) to Karpathos (Pigadia) are scheduled 4 times over the next 14 days, roughly 2 a week. The earliest departure in that window is 04:00 and the latest is 05:30. The crossing takes between 6h 30m and 6h 35m, depending on the vessel. The route is served by 1 operator: Blue Star Ferries. There are sailings on Thursday and 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 Karpathos Route Map
The Blue Star Chios connects Heraklio with Karpathos in around six and a half hours, running east from Crete into the southern Dodecanese. It is a conventional ferry with cabins and vehicle decks, working a line that continues on towards Chalki and Rhodes. The crossing usually calls at Sitia and Kassos before reaching Karpathos.
Karpathos is a large, mountainous island between Crete and Rhodes, noticeably less developed than either. The main port and town is Pigadia on the east coast, where most of the accommodation and the bus and hire car options are based. The island is known for its dramatic coastline and beaches such as Apella and Kyra Panagia, for good walking, and for the mountain village of Olympos in the far north, where traditional dress and dialect have survived.
Sailings run a couple of times a week rather than daily, and the schedule tightens outside summer. The current timetable and fares are shown in the table below. Karpathos also has an airport with domestic links, which is worth bearing in mind if the ferry days do not fit.
Heraklion to Karpathos Ferry Fares
Official maximum fares on subsidised sailings
These are ceilings set by ministerial decision for public-service (PSO) sailings, quoted net of VAT and port dues. They are the most an operator may charge on a subsidised departure, not a fare on sale, and they do not apply to commercial sailings on the same route.
| Ticket type | Category | Maximum, net | Valid to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passenger, conventional ferry | passenger | €14.44 | 2027-04-30 |
| Passenger, conventional ferry (vessel <10y) | passenger | €17.33 | 2027-04-30 |
| Passenger, high-speed | passenger | €28.88 | 2027-04-30 |
| Car up to 4.25m | vehicle | €68.00 | 2027-04-30 |
Weekly Heraklion to Karpathos 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 | 04:00 | 10:35 | 6h 35m | 2026-08-20 to 2026-10-29 | Book the Blue Star Chios sailing | ||
| Blue Star Ferries | Blue Star Chios conventional | 05:30 | 12:00 | 6h 30m | 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 Karpathos?
Yes, with desks in Pigadia near the port. It's worth it if you're staying several days: the drive north to Olympos, about 58km, runs along narrow, winding cliff roads that can turn genuinely windy, and buses only cover the main routes. For a short stay, buses and boat trips to the beaches are enough. Compare hire options at Discover Cars.
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 Karpathos between 24 August 2026 and 6 September 2026.
| Date | Departs | Arrives | Duration | Vessel | Operator |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu 2026-08-27 | 04:00 | 10:35 | 6h 35m | Blue Star Chios | Blue Star Ferries |
| Sat 2026-08-29 | 05:30 | 12:00 | 6h 30m | Blue Star Chios | Blue Star Ferries |
| Thu 2026-09-03 | 04:00 | 10:35 | 6h 35m | Blue Star Chios | Blue Star Ferries |
| Sat 2026-09-05 | 05:30 | 12:00 | 6h 30m | Blue Star Chios | Blue Star Ferries |
Frequently Asked Questions
How often do ferries run from Heraklion to Karpathos?
Ferries from Heraklion (Crete) to Karpathos (Pigadia) are scheduled 4 times over the next 14 days, roughly 2 a week. In that fortnight there are departures on Thursday and 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 Karpathos today?
No, there are no scheduled departures from Heraklion (Crete) to Karpathos (Pigadia) today. The next sailing in the published timetable is on 27 August 2026, at 04:00. Departures fall on Thursday and Saturday.
How many ferries run from Heraklion to Karpathos this week?
2 sailings from Heraklion (Crete) to Karpathos (Pigadia) are scheduled over the next seven days, typically 1 a day on the days it runs.
What time is the first ferry from Heraklion to Karpathos?
Scheduled departures from Heraklion (Crete) to Karpathos (Pigadia) leave at 04:00 and 05:30.
How long is the ferry from Heraklion to Karpathos?
The fastest crossing from Heraklion (Crete) to Karpathos (Pigadia) takes 6h 30m and the slowest 6h 35m.
Which ferry companies operate the Heraklion to Karpathos route?
The Heraklion (Crete) to Karpathos (Pigadia) route is served by Blue Star Ferries. Crossings run on conventional ferries.
Tips for the Heraklion to Karpathos 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.
- In the shoulder months of May, June, and September, you will often find seats and cabins available right up to departure day.
- Once you arrive in Karpathos, you'll find an unspoiled island with an extensive network of around 50 hiking routes crossing rugged mountains and remote villages. The northern village of Olympos, perched on a clifftop ridge, is one of the most striking traditional settlements in the Dodecanese.
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