Ferry from Heraklion (Crete) to Serifos (Livadi)

This is one of the longer domestic crossings in the Aegean, cutting north-west from Crete's biggest port straight across open water to Serifos, in the western Cyclades. There's no island-hopping shelter along the way, so expect a proper sea crossing rather than a short hop -- most of it after dark or through the small hours, depending on the sailing. Book it as you would a long-haul leg: settle in with a cabin or an airline seat rather than treating it as a quick transfer.

Heraklion's ferry port sits right at the edge of the old town, an easy walk or short taxi from most hotels, with Blue Star's terminal well signposted among the various berths. On the Serifos side you land at Livadi, the island's low-key harbour village, from where the Chora climbs the hill inland -- taxis and the local bus meet the boat, but it's a small enough port that finding your way is never a problem. Our Heraklion port guide has the full detail on the terminal and getting there from town.

Heraklion to Serifos Ferry Fares

Weekly Heraklion to Serifos Ferry Schedule

The repeating pattern behind the dated timetable, without dates. Each row is one scheduled departure and the days it runs.

Hiring a car

Do you need a car on Serifos?

Not strictly. Chora sits on a hill about 4.5km above the port at Livadi, and a bus, roughly fifteen minutes for two euros, runs regularly between the two in summer. A car or scooter, hired from the small handful of offices in Livadi, makes sense for reaching the island's scattered beaches, but book ahead: the rental fleet is limited and August sells out fast. 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 Serifos between 5 November 2026 and 18 November 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tips for the Heraklion to Serifos 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.
• Charging sockets are available in the seating areas of most modern ferries; older vessels may have limited outlets, so charge your devices before boarding.
• In Serifos, the hilltop Chora perched dramatically above the port is one of the most striking capital towns in the Cyclades, with chapels, churches, and windmills scattered through its whitewashed lanes. The island's beaches are never overcrowded, and the walking trails connecting them reward those who prefer to explore on foot.

Plan a journey

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