The quickest Heraklion to Piraeus crossing takes 7 hours, and ferries sail from Heraklion Crete to Piraeus Athens every day of the week.
Heraklion Crete to Piraeus Athens
While you can fly from Heraklion in Crete to Athens on the Greek mainland taking a ferry from Heraklion to Piraeus Port (Athens) is a popular and comfortable option.
As the distance from Heraklion (Crete) to Piraeus port by ferry is 320 kilometres, (approximately 199 miles or 173 nautical miles), the large, conventional ferries sail on this route. Travel times for the Heraklion Piraeus ferries vary from 7 to 17 hours.
All of the vessels can take vehicles, and they also have numerous restaurants on board.
For the latest ferry schedules on the Heraklion to Piraeus ferry route check: Ferryscanner
Heraklion Crete to Piraeus Athens Ferry Schedule
The ferry from Heraklion to Piraeus usually runs daily at different times of the day.
During the summer season, there are multiple daily ferry departures, while in other seasons, there might be fewer departures.
On an example week taken for writing this article, the following Heraklion ferry crossings to Piraeus were available:
- 17 sailings weekly with a duration of 9 hours or less.
- 2 sailings weekly with a duration of 16 hours and 50 minutes.
Depending on which ferry companies operate on the day you want to sail, you may have the choice between a nighttime or a daytime crossing leaving from Heraklion ferry port.
You can check the ferry operators current schedule and book ferry tickets online with: Ferryscanner
Ferry Companies Operating Heraklion – Piraeus
The ferry companies that operate on the Heraklion (Crete) to Piraeus route include:
- Minoan Lines
- Anek Superfast
- Aegeon Pelagos
- Blue Star Ferries
In late 2023, Blue Star Ferries bought the ferry company Anek. For 2024, they are highly likely to sail this ferry crossing from Heraklion to the port of Piraeus under the Anek banner only.
Buy ferry tickets for the ferry from Heraklion at: Ferryscanner
Price for Ferry Tickets
The ticket prices for the ferry from Heraklion to Piraeus vary depending on the class and the time of year. Usually, there are three classes onboard: economy, business, and VIP.
The economy tickets are the cheapest and start from around €36. Business class costs around €50, and VIP class costs around €80. It is worth noting that during peak seasons, the prices can be higher than usual.
Related: What Is The Currency In Crete?
It’s recommended to make sure you book your Heraklion to Piraeus ferry tickets as far in advance as you can, especially if travelling from Heraklion during the high season months of July and August.
You’ll receive your tickets in an e-ticket format which will be scanned when you board. Depending on the ferry operator, also in the email is likely to be a little deck plan showing where your seat is such as this:
Check ferry ticket prices for this trip at: Ferryscanner
Know Before You Go
- Ferries depart from the main port of Heraklion.
- Foot passengers should aim to be at the port of Heraklion an hour before departure. You may be asked to walk all the way to the passenger terminal and then back to the ferry on the other side of the fence.
- People travelling with cars from the city center Heraklion Crete to the main Athens port of Piraeus should aim to be there an hour and a half before in the summer season to allow for traffic. Be prepared for lots of noise and gesturing as you park your vehicle on a Greek ferry!
- Most of the time, ferries leaving Heraklion on the Piraeus route start boarding an hour or even two before departure.
- You can check Heraklion ferry timetables at Ferryscanner
There are snacks and drinks available on board. Consider bringing an extra layer as the air-con on Greek ferries is very strong, and you might get chilly during a journey of 7+ hours.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How long is the ferry from Heraklion to Piraeus?
The quickest Heraklion to Piraeus ferry crossing takes approximately 7 hours.
How often do ferries sail from Heraklion Crete to Piraeus Athens?
Ferries from Heraklion Crete to Piraeus Athens sail every day of the week.
Which companies operate the Heraklion-Piraeus route?
The ferry companies that operate on the Heraklion (Crete) to Piraeus route include Minoan Lines, Anek Superfast, Aegeon Pelagos, and Blue Star Ferries.
How much does a ferry ticket from Heraklion to Piraeus cost?
The ticket prices for the ferry from Heraklion to Piraeus vary depending on the class and the time of year. However, Economy class tickets usually start from around €36, Business class costs around €50, and VIP class costs around €80.
How early should I arrive at the port before departure?
Foot passengers should aim to be at the port of Heraklion an hour before departure. For those travelling with a car, it’s recommended to arrive an hour and a half before, especially in the summer season, to allow for traffic.
Related: Rethymno Ferry Port Crete