Ferry from Heraklion (Crete) to Sitia (Crete)

Blue Star Ferries' Blue Star Chios runs along the north coast of Crete from Heraklion to Sitia in around two and a half hours. It is a short leg on a much longer line that carries on towards Kasos, Karpathos and Rhodes, so the ship is a full-size conventional ferry with cabins and vehicle decks. Fares start around €15.

Sitia is a relaxed port town in Lasithi at the northeastern end of Crete, noticeably quieter than Heraklion or Chania and still recognisably a working Cretan town. The Venetian Kazarma fortress looks down on the waterfront, and the seafront tavernas are the centre of things in the evening. It is the natural base for the far east of the island, including the Vai palm beach and the Minoan site at Zakros.

The service runs a couple of times a week rather than daily, so it works better as part of a longer itinerary than as a way of getting about Crete. Current departures and fares are shown below. The road between Heraklion and Sitia is direct and served by regular KTEL buses, which is what most people use for this stretch.

Weekly Heraklion to Sitia Ferry Schedule

What each ferry company has published for the four weeks from 14 November 2026 to 11 December 2026: the days it sails and its departure times from Heraklion.

Heraklion to Sitia Ferry Fares

Hiring a car

Do you need a car in Sitia?

Yes, a car is genuinely useful here. Sitia sits about 130km, roughly two hours' drive, east of Heraklion, on the quieter side of Crete. A limited KTEL bus reaches the palm forest at Vai (28km) in summer, but a car gives easier access to Toplou Monastery and Sitia's beaches. Rental offices operate in Sitia town and at the small local airport; compare prices 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 Sitia between 14 November 2026 and 27 November 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tips for the Heraklion to Sitia 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.
• Vehicle dimensions and weight affect your ferry fare; double-check the operator's measurement categories if you are driving an unusually large or heavy vehicle.
• A wide-brimmed hat provides better sun protection than a baseball cap on the open deck of a moving ferry, where the sun comes from multiple angles.

Plan a journey

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