Ferry from Karpathos (Pigadia) to Heraklion (Crete)
6h 35m to 6h 40m · from €17.00 · 1 operator
Karpathos Ferry Port is located in the main town of Pigadia, also known as Karpathos Town, on the south east coast of the Greek island of Karpathos. Pigadia port guide.
Karpathos to Heraklion at a glance
Ferries from Karpathos (Pigadia) to Heraklion (Crete) are scheduled 4 times over the next 14 days, 2 or 3 times a week. The earliest departure in that window is 14:30 and the latest is 20:00. The crossing takes between 6h 35m and 6h 40m, depending on the vessel. The route is served by 1 operator: Blue Star Ferries. Published fares start from €17.00 on a conventional ferry. There are sailings on Thursday and Sunday during the next fortnight. Operators have published this timetable as far as 28 February 2027.
Tickets from
| Conventional ferry | €17.00 | Book now |
|---|---|---|
| ECO Seat | €17.00 | Book now |
| AB42 Cabin | €51.00 | 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 28 February 2027. Sailings beyond that date have not been announced yet.
Karpathos to Heraklion through the year
Over the last 12 months it ran all year, busiest in September (2 or 3 times a week).
Sailings a day, last 12 months
Tap a month to see how it ran
Month by month
| Month | Sailings | Days with a sailing | How often |
|---|---|---|---|
| November 2025 | 9 | 9 of 30 | 2 or 3 times a week |
| December 2025 | 8 | 8 of 31 | about twice a week |
| January 2026 | 9 | 9 of 31 | 2 or 3 times a week |
| February 2026 | 8 | 8 of 28 | 2 or 3 times a week |
| March 2026 | 8 | 8 of 31 | about twice a week |
| April 2026 | 8 | 8 of 30 | about twice a week |
| May 2026 | 8 | 8 of 31 | about twice a week |
| June 2026 | 8 | 8 of 30 | about twice a week |
| July 2026 | 9 | 9 of 31 | 2 or 3 times a week |
| August 2026 | 9 | 9 of 31 | 2 or 3 times a week |
| September 2026 | 11 | 8 of 30 | 2 or 3 times a week |
| October 2026 | 9 | 9 of 31 | 2 or 3 times a week |
November 2025 · this month, a year ago
December 2025 · this month, a year ago
January 2026 · this month, a year ago
February 2026 · this month, a year ago
March 2026 · this month, a year ago
April 2026 · this month, a year ago
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June 2026 · this month, a year ago
July 2026 · this month, a year ago
August 2026 · this month, a year ago
September 2026 · this month, a year ago
October 2026 · this month, a year ago
These are the sailings we recorded on this route from November 2025 to October 2026. They show what ran then, not a forecast: timetables change from year to year.
Karpathos to Heraklion Route Map
Karpathos to Heraklion 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 Kasos 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.
Heraklion 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 €17. From Heraklion there are frequent overnight ferries to Piraeus and good bus links along the north coast of Crete.
Weekly Karpathos to Heraklion 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 Karpathos.
Blue Star Ferries
Book Blue Star Ferries tickets| Days | Departs |
|---|---|
| 20:00 | |
| 14:30 |
Book ferry port and airport transfers here: Welcome Pickups →
Sailings already published, month by month
The operators have published sailings on this route from 15 November 2026 to 28 February 2027. Times this far ahead can still change, so check your date before you book.
- November 2026: sails on 5 of the 16 days from 15 November, 1 sailing a day on those days. Earliest departure 14:30, latest 20:00. Fastest crossing 6h 35m. Conventional ferries: Blue Star Ferries.
- December 2026: sails on 9 of 31 days, 1 sailing a day on those days. Earliest departure 14:30, latest 20:00. Fastest crossing 6h 35m. Conventional ferries: Blue Star Ferries.
- January 2027: sails on 9 of 31 days, 1 sailing a day on those days. Earliest departure 14:30, latest 20:00. Fastest crossing 6h 35m. Conventional ferries: Blue Star Ferries.
- February 2027: sails on 8 of 28 days, 1 sailing a day on those days. Earliest departure 14:30, latest 20:00. Fastest crossing 6h 35m. Conventional ferries: Blue Star Ferries.
Karpathos to Heraklion Ferry Fares
Lowest fare by vessel class
From €17.00 on a conventional ferry. A high-speed crossing and a conventional one are different products at different prices, so they are listed separately rather than reduced to a single figure.
| Vessel class | From | Operator | Vessel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conventional ferry | €17.00 | Blue Star Ferries | Blue Star Chios |
Ticket classes by operator
Prices for a single adult or vehicle, one way: the cheapest fare on sale for each ticket type, from the operators’ booking systems or published price lists. Fares change, so check the price when you book.
Blue Star Ferries
| Ticket type | Category | Fare |
|---|---|---|
| AB42 Cabin | cabin | €51.00 |
| AB43 Cabin | cabin | €51.00 |
| AB44 Cabin | cabin | €51.00 |
| AB4PET2 Cabin | cabin | €51.00 |
| AB4PET3 Cabin | cabin | €51.00 |
| AB4PET4 Cabin | cabin | €51.00 |
| A43 Cabin | cabin | €63.00 |
| A44 Cabin | cabin | €63.00 |
| A4PET3 Cabin | cabin | €63.00 |
| A4PET4 Cabin | cabin | €63.00 |
| A22 Cabin | cabin | €64.50 |
| A42 Cabin | cabin | €64.50 |
| A4PET2 Cabin | cabin | €64.50 |
| AB4PET1 Cabin | cabin | €66.00 |
| A21 Cabin | cabin | €84.00 |
| A4PET1 Cabin | cabin | €84.00 |
| ECO Seat | passenger | €17.00 |
| ATS3 Seat | passenger | €19.00 |
| Vehicles (cars, motorbikes) | vehicle | price not published: check with the operator |
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 | 30 April 2027 |
| Passenger, conventional ferry (vessel <10y) | passenger | €17.33 | 30 April 2027 |
| Passenger, high-speed | passenger | €28.88 | 30 April 2027 |
| Car up to 4.25m | vehicle | €68.00 | 30 April 2027 |
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 13 November 2026 and 26 November 2026.
| Date | Departs | Arrives | Duration | Vessel | Operator |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun 15 November | 14:30 | 21:10 | 6h 40m | Blue Star Chios | Blue Star Ferries |
| Thu 19 November | 20:00 | 02:35 next day | 6h 35m | Blue Star Chios | Blue Star Ferries |
| Sun 22 November | 14:30 | 21:10 | 6h 40m | Blue Star Chios | Blue Star Ferries |
| Thu 26 November | 20:00 | 02:35 next day | 6h 35m | 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, 2 or 3 times a week. In that fortnight there are departures on Thursday and Sunday. Operators have published this route's timetable as far as 28 February 2027, 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 15 November 2026, at 14:30. 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, about one a day on the days it runs.
What time is the first ferry from Karpathos to Heraklion?
The first ferry from Karpathos (Pigadia) to Heraklion (Crete) leaves at 14:30 and the last at 20:00.
How long is the ferry from Karpathos to Heraklion?
The fastest crossing from Karpathos (Pigadia) to Heraklion (Crete) takes 6h 35m and the slowest 6h 40m.
How much does the Karpathos to Heraklion ferry cost?
Published fares for the Karpathos (Pigadia) to Heraklion (Crete) ferry start from €17.00 on a conventional ferry. A cabin berth is published from €51.00. 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.
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