Ferry from Naxos (Chora) to Heraklia (Iraklia)

Naxos to Heraklia is a short hop into the Small Cyclades, taking about an hour on the Blue Star Naxos and up to an hour and a half on the Express Scopelitis of Small Cyclades Lines. The Blue Star is a full-size ferry passing through on a longer routing, while the Scopelitis is the small local boat that ties the Small Cyclades together. Either way it is a quick crossing with good views of the little islands as you go.

Heraklia is the westernmost and least populated of the Small Cyclades, and there is very little development on it. The ferry ties up at Agios Georgios, a simple harbour village that doubles as the main settlement. People come for quiet beaches, walking, and the Agios Ioannis cave, one of the largest in the Cyclades.

Sailings run more than once a day at the height of the season, which makes Heraklia easy to reach from Naxos. The current timetable and fares are shown below, with deck fares starting around €5.50. Onward links to Schinoussa, Koufonissi and Donoussa run on the same lines, so a multi-island loop is straightforward.

Naxos to Heraklia Ferry Fares

Weekly Naxos to Heraklia 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

Is it worth hiring a car on Naxos?

Yes, it is worth it. Naxos is the largest Cycladic island, and its best beaches and mountain villages, Apollonas, Halki, the Tragaea, are 30 to 45 minutes' drive from Naxos Town. Rental desks sit right at the ferry quay, a one-minute walk from the bus terminal. Buses cover the main coast road, but a car gets you into the interior. Compare local suppliers at Discover Cars.

Next 14 days

Every scheduled departure from Naxos to Heraklia between 24 August 2026 and 6 September 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tips for the Naxos to Heraklia ferry

• Expect a short walk into town – Naxos port sits right at the edge of Chora, with shops, cafés and the Portara landmark only a few minutes away, so you will not need a taxi if your accommodation is central.
• Arrive at least 45 minutes before departure and confirm your departure gate on the day, since Naxos is one of the busiest Cycladic ports, with several operators and vessels often docked at once.
• If you are catching the Express Skopelitis local ferry to the Small Cyclades, it usually berths away from the main quay used by Blue Star and the high-speed ferries, so check where it is tied up when you arrive.
• The ferry approach into a Greek island harbour is often the most beautiful part of the journey – get onto the bow deck 15–20 minutes before arrival.
• A short crossing gives you a very limited window to buy food on board; eat before you board or bring your own snacks.

Plan a journey

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