Ferry from Heraklion (Crete) to Rhodes (Rodos)

The Blue Star Chios links Heraklion with Rhodes in around eleven to eleven and a half hours, running east along the Cretan coast and then through the southern Dodecanese. It is one of the few direct sea links between Crete and Rhodes, and it usually calls at Sitia, Kasos, Karpathos and Chalki on the way.

Rhodes is the largest of the Dodecanese and one of the busiest destinations in the southeast Aegean. The walled medieval Old Town, built by the Knights of St John and a UNESCO World Heritage site, sits immediately behind the commercial harbour, and the Mandraki harbour alongside it is the spot traditionally associated with the Colossus. Beyond the town there are long beaches down both coasts and the villages and hills of the island's interior.

Sailings run a couple of times a week and follow the wider Dodecanese schedule, so departures cluster rather than spread evenly. The current timetable and fares appear in the table below. From Rhodes there are onward links throughout the Dodecanese, to Piraeus, and across to the Turkish coast.

Weekly Heraklion to Rhodes 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 Heraklion.

Heraklion to Rhodes Ferry Fares

Hiring a car

Is it worth hiring a car in Rhodes?

Worth it if you're staying more than a couple of days, since the island is large and its two bus companies (Roda in the west, KTEL in the east) don't make it easy to combine both coasts in a day. The port is a 10-minute walk from Rhodes Old Town, with paid parking nearby. Compare local suppliers 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 Rhodes between 13 November 2026 and 26 November 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tips for the Heraklion to Rhodes 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.
• Some overnight ferries have a small lounge with seating and movies; a worthwhile alternative to trying to sleep on a rough crossing.
• Once you arrive in Rhodes, the medieval walled Old Town – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – is one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Europe, with the Street of the Knights and the Palace of the Grand Master as its centrepieces. Tsambika Beach on the east coast and the ancient hilltop site of Lindos are the island's other headline attractions.

Plan a journey

Search for a connection between any two Greek ports, including journeys that need a change.