Ferry from Paros (Parikia) to Heraklion (Crete)

Paros to Heraklio is a high-speed run of roughly four hours across the southern Aegean, worked by Seajets with big catamarans such as the Worldchampion Jet and Champions League Jet 2. These are large, fast vessels carrying cars as well as foot passengers, with airline-style seating inside and limited outside deck. The route usually calls at other Cycladic islands before turning south for Crete.

Heraklio is the capital of Crete and one of the busiest ports in Greece, so arrival is into a proper working city rather than a village harbour. The Venetian fortress of Koules guards the old harbour entrance, with the restored arsenali alongside, and the archaeological museum and Venetian old town are a short walk inland. The Palace of Knossos is a few kilometres out, easily reached by city bus, and the airport is close by.

Sailings run about once a day through the summer season and drop away sharply outside it. Current times, vessels and fares are shown in the timetable below. Heraklio also has ferries to Piraeus and connections along the Cretan coast, which makes it a sensible end point for a Cyclades trip.

Paros to Heraklion Ferry Fares

Weekly Paros to Heraklion 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

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 Paros?

Yes, and rental desks cluster right by the port in Parikia, most just a couple of minutes' walk from where the ferry docks. A car earns its keep here: nowhere on Paros is more than about 30 minutes' drive away, opening up marble-quarry villages and quieter southern beaches that the KTEL bus network doesn't reach directly. Compare local suppliers at Discover Cars if you'd rather not rely on the bus timetable.

Next 14 days

Every scheduled departure from Paros to Heraklion between 24 August 2026 and 6 September 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tips for the Paros to Heraklion ferry

• The whitewashed windmill facing the harbour is Parikia's landmark, useful for finding your way back to the terminal. Arrive at least an hour before departure in peak season, allowing extra time if you still need to buy your ticket at the port.
• The KTEL bus station for onward island travel is immediately to the right as you exit the port, making it easy to find without asking directions. Buses to Naoussa, the airport, and beaches all depart from here.
• Baggage storage is free at the KTEL bus station once you have bought your ticket, so there is no need to carry bags around Parikia while you wait for your ferry to board.
• Paros is one of the busiest Cyclades hubs, so if you are changing ferries the same day build in a buffer – delays tend to build up through the day and afternoon sailings are more likely to run late.
• 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

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