Ferry from Athens (Piraeus) to Chania (Souda)

The Piraeus to Chania ferry is one of the great overnight crossings of the Aegean, carrying you from the bustle of Greece’s main port directly to Crete’s most atmospheric city. It’s a practical route and a genuinely enjoyable one — you board in the evening, sleep at sea, and wake up in western Crete ready to explore.

There’s normally one departure a day on this route, which makes it a straightforward choice if you want a single overnight sailing straight to western Crete. The schedule box above shows the latest confirmed sailing dates and times, since operators file their timetables in stages rather than a full year at once, so it’s worth checking back nearer your travel date. Worth noting too: Crete has a second ferry gateway in the west, Kissamos, which is a separate harbour from Chania with its own sailings, so double-check which port your booking actually lands at before arranging onward transport.

Piraeus to Chania Ferry Fares

Weekly Piraeus to Chania 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 Piraeus?

Yes, several agencies meet passengers directly at the ferry gates (E1 to E12), so there is no need to arrange transport into central Athens first. It suits travellers continuing on to the mainland rather than islanders, since central Athens is only 20 minutes away and has good metro and bus links. Compare local suppliers at Discover Cars.

Next 14 days

Every scheduled departure from Piraeus to Chania between 4 September 2026 and 17 September 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tips for the Piraeus to Chania ferry

• Piraeus port is large, with departure gates E1 to E10 spread along the waterfront – allow extra time to find yours, as it can be a 15–20 minute walk from the metro station, and check the gate number printed on your ticket.
• Ferries to the Saronic islands – Aegina, Hydra and the nearby islands – depart from Gate E8, while Cyclades sailings (Mykonos, Santorini, Paros, Naxos) leave from gates in the E6–E10 range, so double-check your specific gate on arrival.
• Take Metro Line 1 or Line 3 to Piraeus station, then use the free shuttle bus that circulates around the port roughly every 10–15 minutes, linking the metro to all gates – useful if your ferry departs from a distant terminal such as E2 or E3.
• There is no parking inside the port itself, so if you are driving, use one of the private car parks nearby rather than looking for a space at the gate; ticket booths at each gate can print e-tickets if you have not already.
• In Chania, Crete's former capital and second-largest city, you'll find a beautifully preserved Venetian harbour, a richly layered Old Town with Byzantine, Venetian, and Ottoman traces, and some of the finest Cretan cuisine on the island. Day trips from here reach the pink-sand beach of Elafonissi and the famous Samaria Gorge.

Plan a journey

Search for a connection between any two Greek ports, including journeys that need a change.