Ferry from Athens (Piraeus) to Sitia (Crete)

Blue Star Ferries work Piraeus to Sitia with the Blue Star Chios, and it is an overnight passage of somewhere between thirteen and fifteen hours depending on the calls made along the way. The route runs down through the Cyclades and the Dodecanese, so it is a long haul best taken as a night sailing with a cabin booked. Deck seating is available, but on a crossing this length a berth is money well spent.

Sitia sits on the northeast coast of Crete and is noticeably more relaxed than Heraklion or Chania, with a traditional Cretan-town feel and a Venetian fortress, the Kazarma, looking down over the waterfront. It is the gateway to eastern Crete, with the Vai palm beach, the Minoan site at Zakros and a string of quiet beaches within driving distance. The town has its own small airport as well, which is handy for one-way trips.

Departures are limited, a couple a week rather than daily, so this route rewards planning. Current sailings and fares appear in the table below, with prices starting around €46.50. The same service typically links Sitia with Rhodes, Karpathos and Kasos, making it part of a useful chain across the southern Aegean.

Piraeus to Sitia Ferry Fares

Weekly Piraeus to Sitia 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

Do you need a car in Sitia?

Yes, a car is genuinely useful here. Sitia sits about 130km, roughly two hours' drive, east of Heraklion, on the quieter side of Crete. A limited KTEL bus reaches the palm forest at Vai (28km) in summer, but a car gives easier access to Toplou Monastery and Sitia's beaches. Rental offices operate in Sitia town and at the small local airport; compare prices at Discover Cars.

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 Sitia between 10 October 2026 and 23 October 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tips for the Piraeus to Sitia 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.
• When the vessel is manoeuvring into port, crew will announce boarding locations over the PA system; listen for instructions on which gangway to use.

Plan a journey

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