Ferry from Karpathos (Pigadia) to Heraklion (Crete)
6h 15m · from €16.00 · 1 operator
Karpathos to Heraklion at a glance
Ferries from Karpathos (Pigadia) to Heraklion (Crete) are scheduled 4 times over the next 14 days, roughly 2 a week. The earliest departure in that window is 16:30 and the latest is 21:15. The crossing takes 6h 15m. The route is served by 1 operator: Blue Star Ferries. Published fares start from €16.00. There are sailings on Thursday and Sunday during the next fortnight. Operators have published this timetable as far as 29 October 2026.
Tickets from
| Standard ticket | €16.00 | Book now |
|---|
Lowest published figure for each kind of ticket, one way. The price you pay depends on the sailing and the date you choose.
Operators have published this route's timetable to 29 October 2026. Sailings beyond that date have not been announced yet.
Karpathos to Heraklion Route Map
Karpathos to Heraklio is one of the useful links between the Dodecanese and Crete, run by Blue Star Ferries with the Blue Star Chios. The crossing takes around six and a quarter hours from Pigadia, usually with a call at Kassos or Sitia on the way. It is a full-size conventional ferry, so there is a restaurant, indoor lounges and deck space for the run across open water.
Heraklio is the capital and largest city of Crete, a busy commercial hub with a Venetian old town at its centre. The Koules fortress guards the old harbour entrance alongside the restored Venetian arsenali, and the Archaeological Museum and the Palace of Knossos are the two obvious first stops. It is one of Greece's busiest ports and airports, which makes it a straightforward place to pick up onward transport.
Sailings run around twice a week and are seasonal, so this is a route to plan around rather than turn up for. The current timetable and fares are shown below, with fares starting around €16. From Heraklio there are frequent overnight ferries to Piraeus and good bus links along the north coast of Crete.
Karpathos to Heraklion Ferry Fares
Tickets from €16.00.
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 Karpathos to Heraklion 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 | 16:30 | 22:45 | 6h 15m | 2026-08-23 to 2026-10-25 | Book the Blue Star Chios sailing | ||
| Blue Star Ferries | Blue Star Chios conventional | 21:15 | 03:30 | 6h 15m | 2026-08-20 to 2026-10-29 | Book the Blue Star Chios sailing |
Book ferry port and airport transfers here: Welcome Pickups →
Hiring a car
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.
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.
Next 14 days
Every scheduled departure from Karpathos to Heraklion between 24 August 2026 and 6 September 2026.
| Date | Departs | Arrives | Duration | Vessel | Operator |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu 2026-08-27 | 21:15 | 03:30 | 6h 15m | Blue Star Chios | Blue Star Ferries |
| Sun 2026-08-30 | 16:30 | 22:45 | 6h 15m | Blue Star Chios | Blue Star Ferries |
| Thu 2026-09-03 | 21:15 | 03:30 | 6h 15m | Blue Star Chios | Blue Star Ferries |
| Sun 2026-09-06 | 16:30 | 22:45 | 6h 15m | Blue Star Chios | Blue Star Ferries |
Frequently Asked Questions
How often do ferries run from Karpathos to Heraklion?
Ferries from Karpathos (Pigadia) to Heraklion (Crete) are scheduled 4 times over the next 14 days, roughly 2 a week. In that fortnight there are departures on Thursday and Sunday. Operators have published this route's timetable as far as 29 October 2026, and nothing beyond that date has been announced yet.
Are there ferries from Karpathos to Heraklion today?
No, there are no scheduled departures from Karpathos (Pigadia) to Heraklion (Crete) today. The next sailing in the published timetable is on 27 August 2026, at 21:15. Departures fall on Thursday and Sunday.
How many ferries run from Karpathos to Heraklion this week?
2 sailings from Karpathos (Pigadia) to Heraklion (Crete) are scheduled over the next seven days, typically 1 a day on the days it runs.
What time is the first ferry from Karpathos to Heraklion?
Scheduled departures from Karpathos (Pigadia) to Heraklion (Crete) leave at 16:30 and 21:15.
How long is the ferry from Karpathos to Heraklion?
The crossing from Karpathos (Pigadia) to Heraklion (Crete) takes 6h 15m.
How much does the Karpathos to Heraklion ferry cost?
Published fares for the Karpathos (Pigadia) to Heraklion (Crete) ferry start from €16.00. Some departures on this route are subsidised public-service sailings, on which a ministerial decision sets the maximum passenger fare at €14.44 net of VAT and port dues. The figure you pay depends on the vessel, the ticket class and the date you travel.
Which ferry companies operate the Karpathos to Heraklion route?
The Karpathos (Pigadia) to Heraklion (Crete) route is served by Blue Star Ferries. Crossings run on conventional ferries.
Tips for the Karpathos to Heraklion ferry
- Photography from the deck is excellent – the golden hour light on island whitewashed buildings as you arrive is hard to match.
- Weather cancellations are more common in the shoulder months (October, November, March, April) than in the height of summer, despite summer's meltemi wind.
- Heraklion serves as the main gateway to Crete, with the legendary Palace of Knossos – the centre of Minoan civilisation – just a short drive from the city centre. The city's Archaeological Museum houses one of the most important collections of Minoan artefacts in the world, and wine tours into the surrounding region are a popular option.
Plan a journey
Search for a connection between any two Greek ports, including journeys that need a change.
